Coping with turning 30 is bad enough, let alone having to worry about outbreaks of pimples as well. After all isn’t it just teenagers who suffer the angst of acne?
Wrong. The truth is there are a number of reasons for those little red spots and they aren’t all linked to raging hormones, which means you run the risks of spots no matter what your age.
Makeup
Dr. Nantapat Supapannachat from Apex Skin Clinic reckons there are two main causes of for acne: “hormones and make up.” If you put on too much foundation cream or press powder, they will block your facial pores from releasing oils—this causes pimples.
The treatment: A thorough cleansing is needed if you wear make-up. Though it depends on what you use, the important thing is to remove oil, by massaging your face. Then wipe with cotton pads before following up with a cleansing gel. If there’s still “color” left on the pads then your cleansing process is not yet perfect. You may want to consider changing cleaning products.
Female Hormones
While you can cut back on laying on the slap, a hormone imbalance is less easy to treat. The causes can range from stress to menstruation and tend to give you spots around the jaw line. “When the hormone balance changes, more sebum (oil) will be produced, causing more pimples,” said Dr. Thidakarn Ratanabanangkoon from SEI Samitivej Srinakarin.
The treatment: Contraceptive pills can help treat the condition but do have the obvious major side effect of preventing you from having children (along with others). It’s essential you talk to a doctor and get their recommendation before going down this route. A less drastic solution is to try working out, which can release stress and help balance your hormones naturally. If your hormone imbalance is already treated with hormone pills, you need to consult with your doctor.
Bad Genes
Dr. Thidakarn also states that, “Men are luckier—they don’t suffer from hormonal acne.” If they still suffer from acne, it can be genetic (you have spotty parents) or hygiene (you should clean your face better). But even these forms of acne should disappear when you reach 35-40.
Allergies
You may also be suffering from some kind of food allergy—very sweet or very oily foods, for example.
The treatment: Dr. Thidakarn suggests trying to change your diet and see if that gets rid of the pimples.
Essentials
Apex Profound Beauty Clinic. 11 Sukhumvit Soi 39, 02-662-8613/4.
Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital. 488 Srinakarin Rd., Suan Luang, 02-378-9000.
Acne Attack
Potions to battle the blemishes
Cleanse
Rinse you face twice a day using Murad Acne Clarifying Cleanser (B1,400). It removes bacteria from the skin and penetrates deep into pores.
At G/F, The Emporium, 02-269-1000.
Treat
Le Roche-Posay’s Effaclar K (B760) is designed to hydrate your skin without blocking pores and generating pimples. Its salicylic acid extract helps peel dead skins softly. At Boots, try Silom branch, 60/5-7 Silom Rd., 02-233-0571 or call center 02-685-12000
Cure
If the pimple has already made an appearance, use Garnier Pure SOS Blemish clear pen, which deposits Zinc and Vitamin C (B189) directly on the pimple to dry it and reduce marks. At Watsons, try 1/F, Silom Complex, Silom Rd., 02-231-3128.
