How to Know What Causes Your Acne Year-Round
For many men and women, it is common to suffer from acne year-round, but did you know the different seasons may be affecting why you are experiencing it? Learning what causes your acne during the different seasons can help you avoid potential acne outbreaks. The dermatologists at the Dermatology & Mohs Surgery Institute give you insight into what may be causing your year-round acne and tips on how to treat it.
What to Know About Acne
What Is Acne?
Acne is caused by a disorder in the oil glands. As hormones in men and women rise, they overstimulate the oil glands, leading to an excess of oil and skin cells produced. This excess causes a blockage in the gland that results in whiteheads, blackheads, and sometimes inflammation of the skin. Most men and women experience acne at some point in their life, but for others, they experience it year-round. Year-round acne has many different causes, and there are a variety of different factors that may be contributing to it.
Acne in the Spring and Summer
Warmer weather can often contribute to acne breakouts. The humidity can trigger you to sweat more and produce more oil. Sweat and oil clog the pores and result in acne breakouts. Additionally, while you know how important wearing sunscreen is, use a water-based sunscreen to avoid clogging your pores even more. If you find yourself excessively sweating after being outside, take a shower and wash your face to help avoid clogged pores.
Acne in the Fall and Winter
Just as warmer weather affects acne, so does the cooler weather in the fall and winter. Dryer weather increases oil production and can lead to clogged pores and skin inflammation. The shock of the cold weather to the skin not only induces acne but eczema and rosacea as well. When heading outside, cover your skin with a scarf to protect against the cold and lock moisture in.
Year-Round Acne Treatments
In addition to protecting your skin properly in the warm and cold months, acne treatments such as microdermabrasion or other medications can help if you are still suffering from breakouts. Microdermabrasion is a safe facial peel that helps to improve acne. A dermatologist will begin by using a minimally abrasive instrument that gently exfoliates the surface of the skin and removes the top layer. This helps rejuvenate the skin, even skin tone and texture, and improve the appearance of acne scars. The peel takes less than 45 minutes and can be done weekly. For continued results, you will need more than one peel. Recovery is quick, but patients will need to use extra sun precaution, as the sun can interfere with microdermabrasion results. In addition to microdermabrasion, a dermatologist may suggest an over-the-counter medication that contains benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid, important ingredients that help to dramatically improve acne.
Don’t let acne get you down! Whether you suffer from year-round acne or sporadic acne, the dermatologists at the Dermatology & Mohs Surgery Institute want to help. If you are in Bloomington, Illinois or the surrounding areas, complete this form so a dermatologist can reach out to assist with acne tips and treatments.