- Acne affects people of all ages, and it can suddenly breakout and be persistent.
- Sudden acne breakout can be due to several reasons, including diet and hormonal imbalance.
- Stress can lead to sudden acne breakouts.
Acne breakouts are common and affect almost everyone.
It happens when the skin hair follicles become clogged with oil or dead skin cells, or there is an overproduction of sebum or oil, bacterial infection, and inflammation.
According to Dr. Smiti Naswa Singh, Consultant Dermatologist and Cosmetic Dermatologist at Fortis Hospital, Mulund, there are also several reasons why acne breakouts happen, including:
1. Hormonal Changes
During puberty or around and before a woman’s monthly period, fluctuations in hormones happen. These hormones may cause the sebaceous glands to enlarge and produce sebum (oil) which can trigger acne breakouts. Hormonal imbalance brought about by being overweight or having medical conditions like thyroid problems and PCOD can also result in breakouts.
2. Stress
Dr. Smiti explains that when you are under stress, it may also lead to sudden acne breakouts. These can happen during exam days, job interviews, or other important days.
Research shares that stress does not directly cause acne, but it can worsen if you already have it.
3. Certain Medicines
Pimples and acne can also breakout if you take corticosteroids, hormonal pills, some anticonvulsants, and lithium.
4. Diet
Another triggering factor for acne breakouts is excessive consumption of carbohydrate and fat-rich foods like bread, bagels, chips, fried and processed foods.
Tips to Prevent Sudden Acne Breakouts
While it is a natural occurrence, one does not want to have sudden acne breakout on essential days and special occasions. To stop acne breakouts from ruining these days, Dr. Singh recommends some ways how to prevent it.
Medications and Procedures
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- Use topical creams that contain benzoyl peroxide and retinoids. Oral medicines like antibiotics and vitamin A can also help reduce acne naturally.
- Try chemical peels and other skin-friendly and safe procedures.
- Visit a dermatologist who can inject an intralesional steroid. It is injected into a lesion on or immediately below the skin, and it is best for inflamed acne with nodules or cyst that needs improvement in a day or two.
Lifestyle Habits
- Wash hair regularly to avoid oil from the scalp from reaching the forehead or other parts of the face, which can trigger breakouts.
- A healthy diet can keep acne under control. Diet plays a significant role in the prevention and management of acne breakouts. Eat a balanced diet that contains foods with carbs, fats, fiber, and proteins.
- Consume more fruits and salads.
- Add more vitamin-rich foods such as yellow fruits, carrots, tomatoes, green leafy vegetables, and seafood.
- Limit intake of processed foods, junk foods, and fried foods.
- Cut down on dairy products, especially yogurt, buttermilk, butter, and paneer.
- Take in more foods with high vitamin C, including citrus fruits, amla, lemon, and lime juice.
- Eat foods with high zinc content, such as dry nuts, eggs, fruits, and seafood.
Via NDTV