The bumps and blemishes of a bad breakout are never fun. Sometimes, they’ll happen for reasons you simply can’t control; all you can do is react and address the problem after it has already soured your mood or ruined your day. Given that breakouts are such downers, you’d certainly never want to do anything to cause one. But the reality is that whether you know it or not, you may be engaging in any number of bad habits which can trigger breakouts and cause you unnecessary grief.
Here are four things you may be doing that can unwittingly lead to breakouts:
- Washing your skin too often or too hard
Of course, you want to wash your skin and keep it clean, as you should. But if you wash your skin too much, it can actually make acne worse. Cleaning your skin once or twice per day is usually enough. Similarly, your desire to keep your skin clean can lead to too much enthusiasm when cleaning or exfoliating. If you are too vigorous with a washcloth or loofah or use a harsh exfoliant, it can cause irritation and make acne-prone skin more susceptible to breakouts.
- Hair care mistakes
The oil, dirt, and environmental pollutants that collect in your hair need to be washed away. But gravity being what it is, what winds up on your scalp will work its way down to your face and your body. That’s why how you treat your hair can have a big impact on breakouts. If you don’t wash your hair enough, all that excess oil and grime will wind up on your forehead, cheeks, and shoulders, increasing the likelihood of pimples. But it’s not just the bad stuff that can cause acne and breakouts. The gel, mousse, hairspray, and other products you use to keep yourself looking good can make you look bad if they get on your face as they can block pores and lead to breakouts.
- Greasy food
Greasy food is often extremely tasty, even though you know full well that it can also be extremely bad for you. But if you eat greasy food, you may need more than Tums or a trip to the gym to address the problems it can cause. All the oil and grease on such delicacies can wind up on your fingers and your face and wreak havoc on your complexion.
- Picking and popping
When you see a giant pimple staring back at you in your mirror, it is understandably tempting to attack it immediately by attempting to pop it or by picking at it. Don’t do it. Messing with acne can cause increased redness and squeeze the pus even deeper into your skin. In some cases, picking or popping a pimple can cause scarring. Resist the temptation and instead reach for an anti-acne lotion or cream to spot treat gently.
When healthy habits aren’t enough to clear your complexion, Dr. Busso offers advanced Laser Acne Therapy to slow sebum production and accelerate acne healing.
At Dr. Busso’s leading Miami cosmetic dermatology clinic, we help patients develop and sustain healthy skin care habits that can keep them looking and feeling their best. An expert in all things skincare and aesthetics, Dr. Busso has coached physicians all over the country on his innovative techniques and quality of care. Call us today at 305-857-0144 to schedule your consultation.
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