Technically, all acne stems a little from inflammation, but a few kinds of acne seem angrier than others. Any acne that is red, swollen, and tender needs a little bit of extra attention. If you’re looking for relief from inflammatory acne, then there are a few things you can do to help calm and soothe it.
Consider antimicrobial treatments
Acne-causing bacteria can live in our hair follicles, and one way to combat acne is to cut that bacteria off at the source. Antimicrobial treatments like benzoyl peroxide can help destroy that bacteria, and also helps break up and clear out dead skin cells clogging your pores.
Don’t forget the calming treatments, too
Acne and acne treatments can both be harsh, so don’t forget to load your routine up with calming ingredients, too. Help reduce inflammation by applying a small amount of aloe vera gel to inflammatory acne. Aloe vera contains a wealth of anti-inflammatory ingredients, and it also contains salicylic acid, which aids in unclogging blocked pores.
Another calming ingredient is chamomile. Look for it as an ingredient in moisturizer creams and other topical skin care products, where it can help calm and soothe tender inflamed skin.
Use spot treatment whenever possible
If you notice inflammatory acne popping up, act fast. Take any serum or topical treatment you have access to that contains acne-fighting ingredients, such as benzoyl peroxide or tea tree oil, and dab it on the emerging spot before bed. Commercial acne patches also do the trick, helping to draw impurities out of the skin without damaging it.
Maintain a healthy lifestyle
Lifestyle factors can heavily affect the amount of inflammation in your body. Make it a priority to get enough sleep, eat a healthy diet including lots of fruits and vegetables, and get in enough exercise, and your skin will benefit. All of these things will help reduce the total inflammation in your body, thus keeping your inflammatory acne from getting out of control.
See a dermatologist
If inflammatory acne is affecting your life, then make it a priority to see your dermatologist regularly. Sometimes, it can feel like you’ve tried everything and it just isn’t working, but you aren’t doomed to deal with out-of-control acne forever. Your dermatologist can help you pinpoint the treatments that will make the biggest difference in your skin, and perhaps even give you solutions that you hadn’t considered before. A medical dermatologist can be a great resource, so get in contact with yours today!
Advanced Dermatology would love to chat with you. For more information, contact 855-793-2868, where our cosmetic concierge is waiting to set you on the fast track to great skin!