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How to Know What Causes Your Acne Year-Round

When it comes to cosmetic dermatology, acne is one of the most commonly treated conditions. If you’re struggling with your acne and you’re not sure what could be causing it, then you’ve come to the right place. Here are a few things that could be causing your acne issues year-round.

What Causes Year Round Acne

Hormone Imbalances and Stress

Stress and hormonal imbalances are two of the most common causes of acne year-round. Since stress can cause hormone imbalances with the excess of cortisol that it creates in the body, these two things are very much tied together. When your hormones are out of balance, it can lead to side effects like a pH imbalance, inflammation, differences in circulation, or excessive production of oil (sebum) on the skin. As a result, you may experience acne flare-ups. If you menstruate, you may notice that your acne flares up at a certain point in your cycle where you’re producing a lot of estrogen. If this is the case, then hormonal birth control may be a viable acne treatment option to consider. It’s also possible to use a topical salicylic acid solution to help keep your pores free of excess oil and sebum. If you think a hormonal imbalance could be to blame for your acne, don’t wait to contact your dermatologist.

Contact Irritation

Unfortunately, contact irritation, also known as contact dermatitis, can be a fairly common cause of acne at any time of the year. Contact dermatitis is a common skin rash and typically occurs when your skin comes into contact with a skincare product or other substance that irritates the skin. The rash may come in the form of dry, irritated skin, but it’s also possible for it to result in an acne flare-up. The key to beating contact dermatitis-related acne is to identify substances that irritate your skin. If you can identify and eliminate these substances from your life as much as possible, then managing your acne will likely be a lot easier.

Bacteria Growth

Another unfortunate reason your acne might be flaring up is bacteria growth. There’s one bacteria in particular that’s notorious for causing acne on the skin: propionibacterium. This bacteria can often cause acne when present on and under the skin, and especially if it builds up. If you believe that bacteria growth is the primary cause of your acne-related problems, then investing in acne medication or blue light therapy to kill any bacteria living on the surface of your skin could be a good option to ask your dermatologist about. Topical antibiotics are another common form of treatment when it comes to acne that’s the result of a bacterial infection on the skin. If you suspect that bacteria growth is the main cause of your acne, then it’s important to speak with your dermatologist. The last thing you want is acne scars when there are treatments available to help.

If you’re struggling with acne and you’re ready to get to the root of what’s causing it, don’t hesitate to set up a consultation with our team at North Pacific Dermatology today. We’re ready to help!

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