Do you experience frequent acne flare-ups? If so, you might wonder why it happens to you. Perhaps you have tried various over-the-counter acne treatments that appear to work for a short period of time. There are numerous causes of acne. If you arm yourself with the knowledge of potential causes, you might be able to reduce the number of flare-ups you experience. The following points represent a few causes of flare-ups that are not related to oily skin or clogged pores.
Medications
Certain medications, even herbal over-the-counter supplements, can contribute to acne. Prescribed medications will usually have acne listed as a side effect. You can confer with your pharmacist if you have a new medication and experience a flare-up. It is important to track medications if you schedule a dermatologist appointment. These professionals can determine if something that you are taking prescribed or over-the-counter could be the underlying culprit of your acne. Adjusting the dosage of medications can result in acne improvement.
Food
Sometimes food choices can lead to flare-ups. Some foods can cause the body to have an inflammatory response that results in acne flare-ups. Dairy products and foods containing refined sugars or excess salt are common culprits. Keeping a food journal is a good way to see if your acne might be caused by eating certain foods.
Hormones
If hormones get unbalanced, the body might respond to the excess hormones. This is why pregnant and menopausal adults sometimes start having acne for seemingly no reason. It is also a reason that some teens going through puberty experience acne breakouts.
Makeup
Sometimes, individuals attempt to cover up their acne with makeup. They might notice that their acne appears to get worse and worse. The ingredients in the makeup could be the cause of the breakouts. It might be hard to stop wearing makeup, but it is worth trying to stop wearing makeup for a short period of time to see if the acne improves. It is also important to ensure that you properly remove makeup because it can clog pores. A dermatologist can recommend hypoallergenic makeup options and makeup removers.
A dermatologist is a good resource to use to learn more about the underlying causes of your acne. Keeping a journal of the foods you eat and skincare products you use can be useful as you, and a dermatologist can narrow down the causes. There are various acne prescriptions and procedures that can reduce flare-ups and remove acne scars. Dermatologists can treat a variety of acne issues ranging from mild to chronic.