Don’t Fall Behind on Your Complexion

Tips for This Year’s Best Skin

As summer weather quickly slips away and the season begins to change, so may your complexion. Due to alterations in skin care routines, or additional moisturizing, many people often see an increase in breakouts and redness as the seasons change. It is unknown if sun exposure plays a role in clearing acne. However, we do begin to see an increase in breakouts as the colder months approach,” according to the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS). 

To help alleviate complexion imperfections and acne that may increase with seasonal change, here are some suggestions to keep your skin looking healthy all year long. 

Do's:

• Do follow all directions for prescribed medications: Laser treatments and oral medications that fight bacteria and lighten excessive oil production are a few ways to phase out blemishes. However, in order for them to be effective it is important to maintain an appropriate skin regimen, which includes following directions and schedules prescribed by your doctor. Be patient– it may be six to eight weeks before you see improvements with prescription or over-the-counter remedies. 
• Do eat a balanced diet: Research shows there is no direct link between eating greasy or sugary foods (including chocolate) and breakouts. However, food allergies may trigger acne for certain people. In that case, avoiding such foods may help to reduce pimples. Also, living a healthy lifestyle which includes a balanced diet, exercise, and stress management, will really help your skin. 
• Relax!: The hormone that the body produces in response to stress is a known acne trigger. It will not make you get acne – that is determined by your genes, but it can cause a flare up. So, try to develop techniques to help manage stress and avoid last minute deadlines as this frequently makes your acne worse. 
• Do choose oil-free cosmetics: When choosing cosmetics it’s important to find the right kind for your specific skin type. Look for the words non-comedogenic on the label, choosing products that are oil-free and won’t clog pores will help prevent future problems. Some concealers even contain benzoyl peroxide which help to fight acne while also disguising it. 

Don’ts:

• Don’t fight acne alone: If you have tried to get rid of acne on your own and you’re just not getting the job done, get help. A dermatologic surgeon can help to get you on the road to clearer skin. To locate a physician in your area, click here. 
• Don’t scrub-a-dub-dub: Many people associate acne with a dirty face, so they scrub their face with harsh soaps that sometimes contain irritating detergents which can increase breakouts. While washing does help to unclog pores, it’s suggested to wash your face twice a day using a mild soap and water, and pat dry. 
• Don’t pop pimples: While “popping” a pimple may be a quick fix, it actually increases the chance of further infection. Squeezing pimples actually pushes bacteria further into pores, which causes redness and swelling and sometimes even permanent scarring. 
• Don’t let scars get you down: Acne scarring can be emotionally devastating. Fortunately, treatment options continue to evolve. In fact, a recent study in the journal, Dermatologic Surgery, confirmed the effectiveness of treating acne scars with serial high-concentration trichloroacetic acid. This new non-surgical technique improved both depth and appearance of acne scars.