Acne is a common type of skin blemish that can affect anyone beginning in puberty and possibly lasting all the way through adulthood. However, acne is often more active during puberty and early adult years. This activity is due to hormones that affect the sebaceous glands of the skin, causing them to produce more of a natural protective oil called sebum. When too much oil is present on the skin, the oil can combine with dead skin cells and form plugs in your follicles, causing acne. Treating this form of acne revolves around controlling sebum production.
Step 1
Wash your face twice a day with a water-based face wash. Acne-causing substances, such as oil, bacteria and dead skin cells, can build up on your skin over time. According to the Mayo Clinic, washing your face twice a day can help remove these excess substances, helping prevent hormonal acne breakouts. This can also help prevent mild acne from progressing into more serious forms of inflammatory acne.
Step 2
Apply an over-the-counter acne treatment product containing the mixture alcohol and acetone. Acetone in acne treatment products helps keep hormonal acne under control as a de-greasing agent for the body. The alcohol in these products works as an antimicrobial agent, killing excess Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) bacteria, which is associated with more severe forms of inflammatory acne.
Step 3
Talk to your doctor about contraceptives. Contraceptives are designed to alter the hormonal balance in the body to prevent pregnancy. However, this change in hormones also reduces the amount of oil the sebaceous glands secrete. Contraceptives are only a treatment option for women.
Step 4
Schedule an acne laser treatment. Laser treatments work by using a specially calibrated laser to target the sebaceous glands of the skin. As the laser is focused on the skin tissue, energy is transferred to the skin, which targets and damages the sebaceous glands. This results in less oil production.
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