Prom gets closer and closer every day and, just as with any other big day, there are a lot of things to do to prepare!  You need your dress, your hair appointment, your makeup appointment… but what about your skin? Acne can mess up anyone’s day, but don’t let it ruin your prom night!  Here are some tips to combat those pesky spots, so that you can be sparkling clean for your big night!

Why Does Acne Appear?

Acne is formed when a pore in your skin is clogged.  This clog originates from dead skin cells. Our faces naturally shed dead skin from the surface of our skin every day.  However, our bodies also produce something called sebum. Sebum is an oil that keeps our skin from drying out like a lizard’s skin!  Sebum is very important for the health of our skin, but sometimes our body makes too much of it. When we have too much sebum, the dead skin cells on our face stick together and are unable to shed properly, this is how they begin to clog the pores.  

In addition to dead skin clogging our pores, we also have to combat bacteria on our faces.  P. acnes. is a type of bacteria that everyone has on their skin. When that bacteria finds a way into the pores, it has a perfect recipe for multiplying.  This multiplication is only made worse with the presence of high amounts of oil. Hormones that stem from puberty can help create an excess of oil, which is why a lot of teenagers may experience more acne at this pivotal phase in their lives.  The bacteria and oil irritate the skin and inflame it, which causes the redness that we see.

How to Make it Disappear & Stay Away

Unfortunately, acne is not caused by dirt and therefore it cannot just be washed away.  If you visit a dermatologist, they can create a skin care plan that can help treat current breakouts and prevent new ones.  In the meantime, there are some tips you can follow at home to help your skin look great!

You should always be gentle with your skin.  Some products may feel like they are working more effectively because they are rougher on your skin.  We associate roughness with more “cleaning power” because that is how we clean most things. If we can’t get the dirt off, we scrub harder!  But your skin is not a cooking pot. You should avoid skincare products that feel like they are rough on your skin.

When it comes to washing your face, once in the morning and once at night is plenty!  Excessive washing will not treat your current acne and it will not prevent more from occurring.  You can actually worsen your current skin situation by over-washing.

This is one of the most important tips, but one of the hardest to follow.  It is important that you do not pop, squeeze, or pick at your acne. It’s very tempting!  But ultimately you are introducing more bacteria from your hands, and you can also damage your skin with these actions, creating permanent scars.

There are a host of over the counter acne ingredients available like adapalene, benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid, that have been shown to help acne. However, a dermatologist can develop a skin care plan that may include both over the counter and prescription products.

More Tips!

When shopping for cosmetics and sunscreen, always look for the words “non-comedogenic.”  This means that these products should not clog your pores, resulting in blackheads, whiteheads, and red pimples.  You can also look for phrases like, “non-acnegenic,” “won’t cause acne,” and “won’t clog pores.”

Some people believe that tanning will “treat” acne by “drying it out.”  This is absolutely not true! Not only does tanning damage your skin instead of treating any of its problems, some acne medications may make your skin sensitive to UV light, so the last thing you want is a sunburn on top of your acne! Tanning beds and excessive sun exposure have been linked to skin cancer! Click here for more info on skin cancer!

When it comes to prom, you want to look your best.  And looking your best starts at the very foundation: your skin.  Having clearer skin looks better on its own and it also helps makeup go on smoother!  But most importantly, clearer skin makes you feel more confident. So, add clear skin to your list of Prom Prep and create memories that will last a lifetime!  

Grab Dr. Candrice’s audio guide for expert secrets to achieving flawless and healthy skin.  

Don’t forget to connect with me, Dr. Candrice, your favorite, fun, board-certified dermatologist, your go-to girl for everything healthy hair, skin and nails.

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