Cystic acne can prove to be twice as painful and aggressive than mild-to-moderate acne. As if dealing with regular acne wasn’t frustrating enough, cystic acne causes inflamed bumps on the skin that eventually dwindle our self-confidence.
Fortunately, there are do’s and don’ts for every situation in life, and there are key preventative steps to stop cystic acne from coming back.
Consider the following factors to significantly reduce the chance of future breakouts:
1. Adopt a gentle skincare regimen
Most acne flare-ups result from vigorous cleansing, scrubbing, or touching. Be gentle with your face to see significant results. Using a lightweight and non-greasy cleansing facewash that is non-comedogenic will help reduce acne-causing bacteria.
Gentle skin exfoliation will also help promote healthy cell turnover and soothe inflammation. However, sensitive skin with cystic acne can easily get irritated or flare up with harsh or over-exfoliation scrubbing.
It is best to gently wash your face twice a day with a cleansing solution best suited for sensitive skin needs.
2. Say no to stress
Prioritizing yourself by getting good sleep and a nourishing daily diet is the best way to manage stress levels.
Say no to stress, and yes to self-care.
Stress can trigger an imbalance in your hormones as well as an erratic circadian rhythm. This causes the skin to produce excess oil and acne-causing bacteria. Before you know it, your skin is inflamed again with breakouts taking over your confidence.
Engaging in activities you like, exercise, meditation, and quality time with friends helps reduce stress levels. This can improve your overall well-being and bring about a healthy work-life balance.
3. Stop touching your face!
You never know how easily germs transport themselves from the fingers to your face. Excessive or unnecessary face touching can produce even more oil and bacteria growth in the skin.
Frequently touching your skin or picking it can worsen your acne scars. Keep your hands clean and clear from popping pimples, as it can lead to more scarring and inflammation.
4. Stick to a balanced diet
It’s true. What you eat can truly determine your skin health and quality.
Eating a balanced and plant-based diet rich in fruits and vegetables provides the body with essential nutrients to boost skin health.
Healthy food with whole grains and nutrients will give you the skin of your dreams. Whereas refined foods, sugar, ultra-processed snacks, and dairy products will worsen your acne condition. They directly contribute to more breakouts and inflammation in some individuals.
Also, don’t forget to drink plenty of water. Hydration supports healthy skin function.
5. Keep those makeup brushes and pillowcases clean.
Pillowcases and makeup brushes tend to accumulate bacteria, dirt, or oil that can get back to your skin for more breakouts.
To prevent bacterial buildup from harming your skin, clean your makeup brushes and wash those pillowcases weekly.
It is good to be aware of objects in our surroundings that possess acne-causing bacteria or dirt, as they’re often overlooked whilst we work toward other measures to better the skin.
Conclusion
Preventing cystic acne scars from coming back requires consistency, patience, and incorporating healthy lifestyle habits.
To break this cycle, it is key to follow a skincare regimen as recommended by a dermatologist. The combination of a balanced lifestyle and gentle skincare regimens can significantly improve skin.
