Many people are concerned because their acne symptoms don't improve, or even worsen, despite consistent treatment. This is because acne is not just a temporary problem, but a complex skin condition that continuously occurs and persists on our skin. Like dieting, it requires intensive effort to reduce symptoms initially, followed by consistent management and maintenance.
Dr. Lee Sang-ju of Yonsei Star Dermatology Sinchon emphasizes that if acne is not improving, it's necessary to consider whether the treatment is right for you, or if there's another underlying cause. Today, we will take a closer look at the reasons why acne treatment may be ineffective and how to manage it effectively.
Is your acne actually another skin condition?
What we perceive as pimples on the face might easily be mistaken for acne, but in reality, it can sometimes be another skin condition. Conditions such as Rosacea, seborrheic dermatitis, facial redness, and folliculitis can look very similar to acne. Therefore, to avoid misdiagnosis and ensure accurate treatment, it is crucial to get a diagnosis from a dermatology specialist at least once, ideally in the early stages.
Are you receiving treatment tailored to your skin?
Everyone has different skin types. Some have dry and sensitive skin, while others have relatively resilient skin. If the skin is delicate, overly strong treatments can worsen not only the acne but also the surrounding skin. Therefore, appropriate medication and management programs tailored to your skin condition are necessary. If your acne symptoms are not improving despite treatment, it's a good idea to reconsider whether your current treatment is suitable for your skin.
Review your lifestyle habits that may be worsening acne.
Proper lifestyle habits are just as important as dermatological treatment. It's essential to review and improve habits closely related to acne.
Incorrect cosmetics and makeup habits
Using cosmetics that clog pores can cause acne, no matter how expensive the product. In particular, young people sometimes use expensive, well-known cosmetics from their parents, thinking they are good for the skin, only to find they clog pores and cause acne. Also, oily foundations, while they may seem to apply well, can worsen acne, so caution is advised.
Even expensive cosmetics can cause acne, and young people, in particular, may worsen their acne by indiscriminately using their parents' cosmetics.
Hair style and shampoo
When hair is worn long or touches the edges of the face, acne can sometimes appear in those areas. Especially if you use a shampoo that isn't suitable for you, the likelihood of acne developing on the edges of the face that come into contact with the scalp increases.
Avoid excessive cleansing
Excessive cleansing for acne-prone skin can actually dry out and sensitize the skin, potentially causing acne. It's important to cleanse just enough to keep the skin moist, and to find a cleansing routine that suits you.
Lack of sleep and stress
Acne will inevitably worsen if you don't get enough sleep or are under stress. Lack of sleep and stress cause the body to secrete stress hormones, and these hormones bring along androgens, which are hormones that worsen acne. A typical example is when acne flares up the day after pulling an all-nighter before an exam.
Menstrual cycle management
For women, the menstrual cycle can also affect acne. Appropriate menstrual cycle management can help improve acne symptoms.
Acne treatment requires a long-term approach.
Due to the continuous nature of acne, consistent long-term management is more important than short-term treatment. While it's necessary to intensively treat and reduce the number of acne lesions initially, the key is to maintain a skin condition where acne does not easily recur afterward.
- Consistent treatment and management to improve the internal skin environment
- Appropriate treatment and maintenance tailored to your skin condition
- Concurrent treatments to keep the number of acne lesions well within 5-10
Thus, not only receiving appropriate acne treatment but also consistently maintaining it is the path to effectively overcoming acne.
Today, we discussed the reasons why acne symptoms may not improve despite treatment, along with lifestyle habits for effective acne management. Consistent attention and effort will greatly help in achieving healthy and clear skin.