Experts say that acne is a common skin condition that happens when hair follicles under the skin become clogged. It causes several types of lesions, or pimples, and is most common in teenagers and young adults.
According to the National Health Service-NHS, acne can run in families. If your parents had acne, it’s likely that you will also develop it. One study found that if both parents had acne, you’re more likely to get more severe acne at an early age. It also found that if one or both of your parents had adult acne, there is a possibility of getting adult acne too.
Annick Umutibagirana, a skin and haircare expert at Kaso Organic Products Store, says that women are more likely to have adult acne than men. In women, acne could be caused by changes in hormone levels that many experience often. For example, some women have acne before their menses, and others during the first three months of their pregnancy.
Avoid using too much make-up and cosmetics. Photo/Net
She also notes that acne can sometimes be inside or outside the skin, for example, when it is inside, it is provoked by hormone imbalances (when there is too much or too little of a hormone) and toxins in the body. However, on the skin, most of the time, it is with sensitive skin or skin with a lot of fats.
"The treatment of acne depends on the cause, but it is hard to know the cause of your skin itches as an individual, that is why it is necessary to think about what you eat and how you can detoxify your body while removing the impurities from blood,” she says.
Umutibagirana adds that she offers a detoxification programme of 10 days, where she gives clients a detox tea for cleansing the inside of the body and removing toxins, but also urges them to regulate what they eat as it reflects in their skin. If you have acne, she advises consuming more foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, fibre, and plants and avoiding dairy products.
She also advises drinking water to boost skin hydration, and make vegetables part of your daily plate.
Umutibagirana explains that when you’re in the process of detoxifying, your skin can even show progress, with changes of reduced acne. If it’s skin with a lot of fats, she urges using masks to dry the acne.
She recommends using charcoal masks or forming your own mask by getting one teaspoon of coconut, add one teaspoon of honey, and add a little bit of lemon juice and mix. ‘You can mask your face for one hour, and wash it off before you sleep.’
She also says that it’s not healthy to sleep with makeup on. Clean the face with water, preferably rose water and soap, before sleeping as it prevents acne and other skin issues.
Umutibagirana says to keep skin clean, avoid touching the face with hands before washing them because they may have microbes, and also evaluate the oil or lotion you use. Sometimes it may not be compatible with your skin. If your skin is sensitive, use organic skin oils, such as shea butter, aloe vera, and coconut oil. Maintain the routine.
She also offers tips, like; stop picking at pimples, avoid excess exfoliation, keep your hair clean as excess oil in the hair travels to the skin, a thing that can worsen acne, wash your face regularly to remove excess dirt and oil from the skin (use an oil-free moisturiser after washing so as not to leave your skin dry. A dry skin aggravates pimples), and cut off foods that may trigger acne.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, foods with a high glycaemic index may increase the risk of developing acne or make acne worse. These potentially problematic foods are sugary and high in carbohydrates, such as, cookies, cakes, pies, among others.