Those who have had even the briefest stints with acne will tell you that it is a nightmare. Acne can be incredibly painful and damage the person’s self-esteem by popping up on the face, shoulders, chest, and upper back. In Australia, 80–95% of youngsters between the ages of 15 and 24 suffer from acne. There are endless non-prescription and prescription treatments for acne, and finding the right one takes time. Finding the best acne treatment in Australia is only relevant if you maintain its results.
There is no shortage of resources regarding acne causes, preventions, and the best ingredients. However, even with the best expert at hand, you will need to go through a process of trial and error to find the products and procedures that work for your skin.
Top 5 Tips to Maintain the Results of Your Acne Treatment
A Clean Face
This is a foolproof way to ensure that your acne situation is checked. Washing your face at least twice daily can clear off the grime and impurities stuck to your skin. In addition, removing the extra oil, dead cells, and pollutants from your skin can boost its health and prevent more than just acne from appearing.
Minimal on the Makeup
This is for those who are in the process of getting their acne treated. Makeup products often have ingredients that exacerbate acne. Unless necessary, please stick to the minimum when it comes to makeup. You can also research makeup products that work on sensitive and acne-prone skin. Your dermatologist or someone with a similar skin condition can give tips on choosing safe makeup products.
Out of the Sun’s Reach
If all the trips you have taken to find the best acne treatment in Australia has taught you one thing, it must be that sunscreen reigns supreme. The UV rays in the sunlight can cause inflammation and irritation to your sensitive skin.
More often than not, ingredients in acne medication make the skin more sensitive to the effects of sunlight. This is why you must use a broad-spectrum sunscreen before stepping out. You can also try limiting the time spent outside when the sun is at its peak.
Hands Off Your Face
No matter how hard some people try, they cannot stop touching and picking at their faces. It might be nervous behaviour or something you do when you are bored, but there is nothing that worsens acne than constantly touching your face. A survey noted that 17% of Australian school goers presented with severe acne, with papules and pustules being the most prevalent manifestations. Popping the breakout on your face using your fingers can lead to infections and scarring. Instead, allow your skin the time to heal at its own pace.
Watch the Hair Products
The hair products that you use have a close association with acne. Certain hair products clog the pores near the hairline and irritate your skin. If you are using active or concentrated products on your hair, do not touch your face after it and keep your hair away from your face. Stick to light shampoos and conditioners if you can.
Final Thoughts
Maintaining the results of acne treatment is not restricted to topical measures. The best results are supplemented by a wholesome diet that keeps your skin nourished and radiant. Staying hydrated, especially during the Australian summer (December–February), is also essential for having healthy and supple skin. Regular exercise and taking time out to relax can reduce the acne breakouts you suffer. Most importantly, do not work your skin to its maximum to heal it. Giving it some downtime can do wonders too.
Acne is a common skin condition that can have a large impact on an individual’s confidence and quality of life. Thankfully, there are many treatments available in Australia to help reduce the visibility and effects of acne. However, it is important to understand that these treatments are only temporary and that active measures must be taken to maintain the results achieved.
The first step in maintaining results is to identify the cause of your acne. People of different ages, sexes and skin types can experience acne for many different reasons. Some causes are due to external factors such as clothing (which can cause skin irritation), bad hygiene habits and makeup usage. Others are due to internal factors such as hormone imbalances, genetics or stress. Identifying which cause is behind your acne is important so that you can apply the necessary lifestyle changes to reduce the appearance and severity of breakouts.
Once you have identified the cause of your acne, you can make certain changes to your daily routine. This includes washing your face twice daily with a gentle facial cleanser and exfoliating twice per week (depending on your skin type). In addition, it is important to use the right facial products, such as a light moisturizer, to keep the skin hydrated and avoid harsh acne treatments. Other lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, reducing stress, drinking plenty of water and getting enough sleep also have a positive effect on skin health.
It is also important to be vigilant in the use of sunscreen when outdoors, as UV radiation can have a detrimental effect on skin health. Sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher should be applied regularly to keep the skin protected, even on cloudy days.
It is also important to keep track of treatments that you may have had in the past. In Australia, popular treatments for acne include topical creams, oral antibiotics and laser treatments. While all of these can help reduce acne and improve skin health, they often only provide a temporary solution and it is important to monitor how your skin is responding to the treatments. It may be wise to consult a dermatologist if you notice your skin is not responding to treatments as expected.
Overall, it is important to be aware of how your skin is reacting to different treatments and products and to actively make changes to lifestyle and habits in order to keep your skin healthy. This way, you can prevent severe breakouts and maintain the results achieved from any treatments you have had.
