Acne is something that most people think only teenagers have to deal with, so you can only imagine how irritating it is to be an adult suffering from it. More than half of the U.S. population experiences acne and 85% have dealt with it at some point in their life, causing more 96% of those experiencing it to become depressed. While if can be depressing and irritating there are some steps that you can take to help treat acne. Read below to see some dermatologist recommended tips for acne treatment and prevention.

Cleaning

Make sure that you are cleaning twice a day. Normally just washing your face once at night to remove dirt, debris and left over makeup is sufficient, but if you are dealing with a severe case of acne and are actively seeking acne treatment, then this is important. Use a moisturizing face wash when washing that is specially formulated for acne in order to get the best results.

Exfoliation

Gentle exfoliation is one of many excellent acne treatment options. Exfoliation removes dead skin cells and helps clean your pores so that they don’t get clogged. Blackheads will be reduced over time when this method is used regularly. Dermatologists recommend only doing this once a week though, otherwise your skin can become irritated which could further complicate the situation.

Don’t Touch

It is important to remember not to squeeze any spots on your face. Touching transfers bacteria from your hands to your face which can make acne worse. Squeezing spots can actually push bacteria further into the pore making the situation worse. Scratching any spots can lead to scabbing which can lead to infection. All of these can lead to scarring which can be just as bothersome and the acne itself.

Makeup

Many women do not realize that the biggest culprit of their breakouts is their makeup, which most apply every day. By choosing an oil free makeup you can help ensure that your pores stay cleaner longer. Also make sure that you clean your makeup brushes on a regular basis in order to remove any bacteria that may be lingering on them.

Gynecologist

Women can benefit from speaking with their gynecologist about breakouts and acne treatment. Many types of prescriptions can cause breakouts, and birth control is one of them. If you suspect that medicine is a culprit for your issues then talk to your doctor about switching and seeing if there is another medicine that may work better.

Trusted doctors who are experienced in dermatology have seen it all, and almost nothing surprises them. If you have tried all of the above recommendations and you are still experiencing issues, then don’t hesitate to make an appointment. It is better to be safe than sorry, and your dermatologist can help recommend other acne treatments that may work if the suggestions and tips above don’t.