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Top Eight Acne Triggers


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Millions of men and women suffer from acne and related skin disorders each year, but only a few really have the condition under control.

Acne triggers can include your daily diet, sleep habits, and hormonal shifts that interfere with your lifestyle and may have an impact on your well being. After a breakout cycle is over, many acne sufferers are left with painful blisters, scars and marks that can take months to heal.

Keeping an acne breakout under control can be stressful, but reducing the risk of an outbreak may help. Find out if any of these top eight triggers may be making your acne worse:

Acne Trigger #1: Sleeping with wet or damp hair. If you have a habit of showering before bedtime, the water and any residue left from your shampoo and conditioner can irritate the softened skin on your face and neck. If you have acne-prone skin, make sure your hair is dry and free of any hair products before your head hits the pillow.

Acne Trigger #2: Eating a high carb diet. In 2007, Associate Professor Neil Mann, from RMIT University's School of Applied Sciences completed a study about diet and acne at the RMIT University in Australia. The reports suggest a strong link between high-glycemic carbohydrates and acne breakouts.  White flour, white rice, potatoes, and table sugar create an insulin spike that may trigger an acne episode. If most of your daily diet consists of these foods, switching to a high protein and whole foods-based diet may help.

Acne Trigger #3: The menstrual cycle. Many women insist that their acne breakouts are more severe the week before their periods, and some researchers confirm that the menstrual cycle does play a role in flare ups. Dr. Alan Shalita published his findings in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology in 2007; the study confirms that premenstrual flare of acne exists, and is a common problem in both teenage girls and adults. Some women may find relief with hormonal contraceptives and an increased use of medicated acne products during this critical period.

Acne Trigger #4: Oil-based skincare products. Some all-natural skincare products and makeup brands contain a high concentration of oils, and these can clog pores and encourage a breakout. If you use makeup on a daily basis, make sure it is ‘non-comedogenic’ and contains more water and minerals than any other chemicals.

Acne Trigger #5: Birth control pills. Hormonal imbalances can lead to an acne breakout, and birth control pills in particular can exacerbate an underlying problem.  Higher hormone levels circulating in the body can take their toll on your skin; talk to your dermatologist and doctor about alternative therapies if your acne seems to get worse each month.

Acne Trigger #6:  Your bike helmet. Any helmets or even a baseball cap worn for extended periods of time can cause sweat to accumulate on your forehead and scalp. This can begin to clog pores, and wearing these in high heat can make your underlying acne even worse. Consider switching to a visor or lighter hat in place of a tight baseball cap, and disinfect the inside of your helmet regularly to reduce your risk of a breakout.

Acne Trigger #7: Depression medication. The U.S. National Women’s Health Information Center lists depression medication as one of the top six causes of acne. Check with your doctor to find out if and when you may be able to lower your dose so that acne breakouts become less common.

Acne Trigger #8: Tanning beds. Some people claim that tanning helps clear up their skin and make acne scars less noticeable. However, the heat and skin-damaging UV rays can have a negative impact on your skin, and may even cause more inflammation. Steering clear of tanning beds and excess heat is a safer strategy for acne sufferers.

Acne is a manageable problem, and can be treated with laser skin resurfacing treatments or a chemical peel.

When you meet with your cosmetic dermatologist, learn more about lifestyle changes you can make to reduce the risk of an acne breakout.  

 

Published: 03/13/2008, Last Updated: 03/14/2008

By LocateADoc.com Medical Staff Writers

Our writers strive to present an objective, upfront and open view of the medical procedures you're interested in. We present you with both the good and bad, and work to represent both doctors' and patients' points of view. Our articles contain facts and statistics from medical associations, medical and surgical journals, and through doctor and patient interviews.

Source: Stoll S., Shalita A., Webster G., Kaplan R., Danesh S., Penstein A., "The effect of the menstrual cycle on acne." Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (2001); 45 (6): 957-960.
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