So many people suffer from breakouts or have had to deal with one at some point in time. Those who have had it know — having acne is not a fun experience or an easy thing to deal with. First, you see the pesky little bump that can fill you with worry and insecurities. But what’s even more frustrating is how difficult it is to get rid of. It’s persistent, and unfortunately, if you don’t treat it properly, it will just continue to get worse.
Are your current treatments failing you? Or, are you a new acne sufferer who can’t seem to find a quick fix? This article is for you! Here are five new ways to treat persistent breakouts.
1. Get a Prescription Treatment
We’ve all been down the acne treatment aisle at the drugstore; and for many of us, no luck. Prescription treatments are much stronger and more effective than what you can find over the counter (OTC). This is because prescriptions have a higher concentration of active ingredients when compared to anything you can find OTC. Or, sometimes they contain ingredients that are stronger versions of what you find in OTC products (for example, tretinoin instead of retinol).
If you want to get your hands on a treatment quickly, look into getting an acne prescription online. With telemedicine as an option, it’s easy for anyone to request a prescription online. Even better, you can pay with insurance or out-of-pocket. A prescription can treat the root cause of the skin condition, ridding you of your acne for good.
Pro tip: If you believe that your breakouts might be hormonal, going on birth control can be extremely helpful. Consider talking to your gynecologist or an online medical professional.
2. Invest in Quality Skincare Products
If you don’t have a comprehensive skincare routine, you’ll likely always have the occasional breakout. Skincare is so important for anyone trying to improve the overall appearance of their skin. The right skincare products can help with signs of aging, discoloration, and you guessed it — acne. It’s important to have both a morning and nighttime skincare routine.
A good morning skincare routine includes cleansing, moisturizing, vitamin C serum, and SPF. Vitamin C protects your skin from pollutants and other things that could harm it, while SPF provides sun protection. A gentle cleanser and moisturizer should also be incorporated into your nighttime routine, but add retinol as well. Retinol exfoliates the skin and helps to unclog pores. It’s better to use retinol at night because it makes skin more sensitive to UV rays.
3. See an Esthetician for Facials Regularly
A lot of people see spicecinemas facials as a “treat yourself” service. Something that is just nice to have when you have time to squeeze one in. However, facials are extremely good for your skin and can treat all types of skin concerns. From microdermabrasion to chemical peels to Hydrafacials, there are so many facial treatments that can yield dramatic results.
Routine facial treatments don’t just make you feel refreshed and leave your skin glowing. In addition, benefits include less acne scarring, even skin tone, unclogged pores, smoother skin, and so much more. A HydraFacial treatment, for example, uses a wand device to deliver multiple skincare benefits. The swirling action of the exfoliating tip delivers hydration and removes dead skin, dirt, debris, and impurities. After exfoliation, serums are infused into the skin to provide additional benefits.
4. Make Small Changes to Your Diet
A lot of things in your diet can unknowingly be triggering acne. For example, foods and beverages with a high sugar content can cause breakouts. This is because they spike your blood sugar and cause your body to produce more sebum. Oil on the surface of your skin can lead to clogged pores.
You don’t need to make huge changes in your diet. Start slowly to test the waters and see what works for you. If you’re a regular soda drinker, start by cutting that out and drinking tonic waters instead. Or, try eating less sugary desserts. In addition, you can also try eating more foods that improve the way your skin looks. These include foods with omega-3 fatty acids like salmon, leafy greens high in vitamin E, and antioxidant-rich ingredients like spinach and berries.
Pro tip: Drinking tons of water never hurts! Staying hydrated will help your body and your skin.
5. Seek Advice From a Dermatologist
There are several new ways to treat persistent acne on your own at home. But if you have a severe case or nothing is working, it may be time to enlist a dermatologist’s help. A dermatologist specializes in treating various skin conditions. They can help you treat the root cause of your breakouts and get rid of these pesky spots once and for all.
You might wonder exactly how a dermatologist treats acne and what the process looks like. First, a dermatologist will diagnose the type of acne that you have. From a simple skin examination, a doctor can see if you’re dealing with whiteheads, blackheads, cysts, etc. From there, they can consider your treatment history and determine which treatment is the correct choice. This may be a topical treatment, oral treatment, a proper at-home skincare routine, or a combination of all three.
Breakouts are an annoying skin concern that far too many people have to deal with. Acne can impact many areas of your life (not just your skin) if you let it. Instead of letting it take over and allowing it to get worse, take control. There are many solutions out there. You might have to go through some trial and error, but once you find what works for you, it’ll all be worth it.