Acne occurs when hair follicles become clogged due to sebum, dead cells and bacteria. This causes unsightly blackheads, blemishes and red spots to form. Acne mainly affects teenagers, but everyone (from children to the elderly) can suffer from this very common skin disorder. Fortunately, there are treatments that can help fight it and reduce the redness it causes.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Use Home Remedies to Minimize Acne Redness
Step 1. Buy a mild cleanser
Do not buy products that are astringent, harsh or that dry the skin. Also avoid those containing alcohol. The packaging must indicate that they are delicate and alcohol-free.
Astringents and alcohol do not help fight acne and dry out the skin. If you have dry skin, your symptoms are much more likely to get worse, including redness
Step 2. Wash your face twice a day
Gently massage the cleanser for one minute in the morning and one in the evening. Use your fingertips or a soft cloth instead of your fingernails or a rough sponge. You should also wash yourself after engaging in activities that stimulate sweating, such as exercise. Don't rub or scratch your skin - remember that acne-prone skin can be quite sensitive and delicate. Rinse your face with warm water, so neither too hot nor too cold.
Step 3. Hydrate yourself every day
While it seems counterproductive, moisturizers help prevent acne from getting worse. Since this disorder can be aggravated by dead skin cells, having healthy skin allows you to fight rashes more effectively. Additionally, excessively dry skin can cause overproduction of sebum, which stimulates acne. Make sure you buy a non-comedogenic product (the label should indicate this) - this means it won't clog your pores.
- The moisturizer should contain ingredients such as glycerin and hyaluronic acid. Avoid cocoa butter, mineral oil, and cold cream.
- Some brands of creams and cleansers have special formulations that help fight skin redness. Consider, for example, those of Eucerin and Aveeno designed precisely to relieve redness and calm the skin. These brands are recommended by the American Academy of Dermatology.
Step 4. Buy over-the-counter acne medications
There are several products that can help fight the redness caused by acne. These are all treatments to be applied directly to the skin a couple of times a day. Start with light products before moving on to more concentrated ones.
- Look for ingredients like benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, tea tree oil, and sulfur. It is best to start with benzoyl peroxide - compared to other products, it is less likely to irritate the skin. To start getting used to and fighting skin inflammation, start with a lighter formulation, such as 2.5% benzoyl peroxide.
- Make sure you follow the instructions on the package. Sometimes these treatments can predispose the skin to sunburn, while others don't interact well with certain medications. Pay attention to contraindications and, if in doubt, talk to your dermatologist.
- You may notice redness and cracking in the first few weeks of use. However, if symptoms persist, it may be time to switch products and / or speak to your doctor.
Step 5. Discuss herbal remedies with your dermatologist
There are several treatments that appear to help fight acne. However, many of these have not been tested and some may even have dangerous side effects. Remember that the "natural" origin of a product is not always synonymous with healthy or safe. Talk to an expert to see if you should try these remedies. Here are some of them:
- Tea tree oil. Apply a gel containing 5% tea tree oil to the affected areas. Either way, be careful, as it could cause contact dermatitis or worsen rosacea if you already have it. In this case it may not be for you.
- Green tea extract. Apply a 2% green tea extract solution to the affected areas twice a day. You can also wet a cold green tea cloth and leave it on your face for 1-2 minutes, then repeat the application several times a day. Do the treatment two or three evenings a week.
- Aloe vera. Apply a gel containing 50% aloe vera to the affected areas. It would be preferable to extract it directly from the plant, available from the florist.
- Brewer's yeast CBS 5926. This strain of brewer's yeast is to be taken orally. Remember that it can increase intestinal gas production.
Method 2 of 4: Clinical Remedies to Fight Acne Redness
Step 1. Make an appointment with the dermatologist
If you've tried over-the-counter remedies and made lifestyle changes to no avail, you should see a dermatologist. He will probably prescribe a tailor-made treatment for you. It will be able to diagnose your acne specifically and its severity.
If you notice unwanted facial hair, scarring, development of lesions and lumps under the skin in addition to acne, you should see a dermatologist
Step 2. Talk to your dermatologist and ask him about prescription topical treatments
There are several products to apply directly to the face that are prescribed to acne patients. Here are some of the most common to treat it: antibiotics, retinoids, salicylic acid, and benzoyl peroxide. Additionally, azelaic acid is present in some creams used for acne and rosacea. It can help reduce redness and rashes.
- Retinoids help treat acne redness by preventing the follicles from becoming clogged. They can be very effective for treating acne, preventing breakouts and redness.
- Antibiotics help treat acne redness by reducing inflammation and eliminating bacteria found on the skin.
- Benzoyl peroxide helps treat acne redness by reducing the likelihood of antibiotic resistance developing. It also decreases the clogging of pores.
- Salicylic acid helps treat acne redness by reducing the amount of dead skin cells you shed and unclogging pores.
Step 3. Follow your doctor's instructions for applying topical treatments
The amount of product to be used and the frequency of applications depend on the cause and severity of the acne. Talk to your dermatologist to find out how to proceed. Be sure to heed his warnings about side effects, adverse reactions, and interactions with other medicines.
If you take any medications, tell your dermatologist. Also warn him if you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant. This will affect your decision when prescribing treatment for you
Step 4. Treat your skin with patience
If you start topical treatment, it may take 4-8 weeks before you see any improvement. Sometimes the redness sharpens before it begins to fade. Remember to be patient and that your skin may take some time to start healing.
Step 5. Ask your dermatologist to tell you about oral prescription medications
They can be used in conjunction with topical ones or in their place. Products such as antibiotics, hormonal contraceptives, and antiandrogens can help reduce acne redness and prevent future breakouts. Remember that some have serious side effects. Take them only under the supervision of a doctor. Always tell him about all the medicines you are taking.
- Oral antibiotics work like topical antibiotics. They help fight redness and inflammation by killing bacteria. They can cause stomach pain and have negative interactions with hormonal contraceptive methods, so talk to your doctor before taking them.
- Hormonal contraceptives help relieve acne symptoms by reducing testosterone in the arterial flow. They are therefore effective for acne-prone skin. It is a treatment that is only valid for women and in the long term it can be even more effective than antibiotics. Side effects include weight gain, breast pain, and possible blood clots.
- Antiandrogens can be a treatment for women, but not for men. They help control sebum production by the sebaceous glands.
Step 6. Ask your dermatologist to tell you about corticosteroid injections
They are mainly used to reduce the most noticeable blackheads and deep acne lesions. They are not effective for controlling extensive acne or acne that affects mainly the skin surface. If you notice swollen comedones, lumps, or lesions under the skin, a corticosteroid injection can help eliminate them and decrease the chances of them healing.
Cortisone injections can cause certain side effects, such as white skin spots, increased visibility of blood vessels, and thinning of the skin. They can also cause momentary pain
Step 7. Ask your doctor about laser treatments
The redness and inflammation associated with acne are caused by a bacterium called P. acnes. It can be eliminated or limited with the application of certain frequencies of light, especially blue. The treatment can be performed in a dermatological office, but sometimes also at home. Additionally, certain laser techniques can be effective in reducing breakouts and scarring (as well as redness and inflammation).
- The dermatologist can apply a special product to the affected area before exposing it to the laser. This medicine will increase skin photosensitivity.
- Multiple sessions are often required.
- You may see side effects such as photosensitivity, dry skin, and temporary redness.
- This treatment can be more expensive than others. Before deciding whether to do this, consider your budget and discuss it thoroughly with your dermatologist.
Method 3 of 4: Lifestyle Change to Reduce Acne Redness
Step 1. Don't give in to the temptation to pop pimples
This action can stimulate the spread of acne, cause infections, worsen redness and cause scarring. It can be hard to resist, but it's best to wait for the acne to heal.
Step 2. Avoid touching your face
This can cause acne-causing bacteria to spread, build up oil on the face, and cause infections. All of this will make acne symptoms worse, including redness. Tell yourself that touching your face will only exacerbate the problem. If you can't, you could wear gloves, sit on your hands, or wear a rubber band on your wrist as a reminder.
Step 3. Keep the area around your face clean
Hair, phones, hats and headbands can irritate acne-prone skin. They can cause sweat and clog pores. Do what you can to keep your skin clean. Use your cellphone headphones or speakerphone instead of the handset, stop wearing hats and keep your hair away from your face until the situation improves.
Step 4. Stop using oil based products
Hairsprays, gels, sunscreens, and oil-based makeup can make redness worse. Discontinue use. Prefer non-comedogenic or water-based products.
Step 5. Shampoo regularly
Hair oil can make acne worse. Eliminate excess by washing them regularly. Try doing this every other day or daily and see if this relieves the acne redness.
Step 6. Protect yourself from the sun
Burnt and dry skin is more prone to acne. Use non-comedogenic, oil-free sunscreens, or stay in the shade for preventative purposes. If you're taking acne medications that increase your risk of burns, protecting your skin from the sun is especially important.
Step 7. Replace dairy products with plant products
The relationship between nutrition and acne is rather controversial. In any case, several studies state that for some people, dairy products can contribute to the increase of acne lesions. Try using soy and nut-based substitutes. Eliminate milk and dairy products from your diet as much as possible, then see if your skin benefits.
Remember that milk and dairy products can provide essential calcium and vitamins, especially for teenagers. Before changing your diet, talk to your doctor to make sure you continue to have a well-balanced diet
Step 8. Eat healthy, low-GI foods
The glycemic index measures the ability of a carbohydrate to raise the concentration of glucose in the blood. Many studies have shown that a high-GI diet tends to cause more acne than a low-GI diet. Also, high-glycemic foods are generally less healthy. In fact, they usually include industrially processed foods, prepared with large quantities of white flour and sugar. Low-glycemic foods are high in fiber, such as whole grains, vegetables, and fruits.
Method 4 of 4: Use Cosmetics to Reduce Acne Redness
Step 1. If you have acne-prone skin, pay attention to the tricks
She can be particularly sensitive, so cosmetics are likely to irritate her even more. Some products designed to cover pimples can still cause acne. Remember that wearing makeup may not be the best choice for your skin. Talk to your dermatologist to figure out whether to do this or not. Stop using makeups that seem to exacerbate the frequency of acne breakouts.
If you wear make-up, always take off your make-up before going to bed
Step 2. Buy non-oil based cosmetics
Use only water-based makeup and mineral cosmetics. Look for ingredients like silica, zinc oxide, and dimethicone. They help reduce redness.
You can also use an oil-free, non-comedogenic tinted moisturizer instead of foundation
Step 3. Apply a thin layer of concealer to the pimple
Tap it on the blemish with a brush, twisting it slightly. Continue until it is completely covered. Apply the concealer by creating an X, so that you get more even coverage when you need to blend it.
- Try to find a shade that is as close to your skin tone as possible.
- Using a concealer brush with flat, pointed bristles allows you to apply a thin layer of the product on the skin.
- Concealers with yellow and green undertones are particularly effective for hiding acne redness. Get them to use when you have outbreaks.
Step 4. Dab and blend the concealer with your fingers
Start working from the center of the pimple, blending it outwards. Try to press or tap instead of scrubbing to avoid streaks. Make sure you apply the concealer around the entire perimeter of the pimple.
Step 5. Apply foundation to the rest of your face with a makeup sponge
Just like you did with the concealer, try to match it as closely as possible to your complexion for a natural result. Make sure the coverage is even. Apply the foundation to the edges of the pimple so that the entire face is a uniform color.
If you need extra coverage, you can apply another layer of yellow or green concealer over the foundation
Step 6. Dab loose powder onto the pimple to set makeup
Use a special brush. You could use cornstarch or talcum powder to make the concealer last longer, especially on hot, humid days. Transparent powders are ideal because they fix the makeup without adding another layer of color,
Step 7. Reapply the products as needed
The makeup probably won't last all day at work, school, or elsewhere. Bring mini-sizes of product with you, so you can reapply it throughout the day according to your needs.
Advice
- Prevention is the secret to controlling acne. Follow a gentle and constant beauty routine.
- Some home remedy blogs praise toothpaste for treating acne, but several dermatologists advise against it. Sure, it contains soothing ingredients, but also abrasive irritants that can harden, dry and redden a blemish.
- Try applying red eye drops to particularly red and inflamed lesions to find temporary relief. You can also put ice on the affected area.
- Hydrocortisone creams also temporarily relieve acne lesions. You can apply them twice a day for two to three days to reduce redness and inflammation.
Warnings
- If you notice any irritation, swelling, or itching, stop using any treatments, whether it's at home or store-bought.
- If you notice any side effects from cortisone injections, lasers, or antibiotics, talk to your doctor.
