How to Feel Confident During an Acne Flare-up

How to Feel Confident During an Acne Flare-up 1

Nothing takes away your self-esteem faster than waking up to a bright red pimple… or maybe twelve.

It doesn’t matter if you’ve spent most of your teen and young adult years as the queen of acne flare-ups. A new zit always feels like one zit too many.

Still, you don’t have to avoid attending class or being seen publicly when your skin goes haywire. Instead of letting your confidence take a hit, take bold steps that show you’re more potent than the dots and spots on your face.

Acne Flare-up

1. Resist the “pop and squeeze” dance.

What’s the first thing you want to do when an acne volcano erupts? Pop all the little suckers, of course. That’s understandable. It’s just not advisable.

Though you probably won’t do too much damage if you non-aggressively poke at one blemish, you could still harm your skin. It’s easy to get carried away with the process because it never ends well. Usually, the more you prod at your pimples, the more intense they look.

It’s better to leave them alone than risk long-term scarring or skin discoloration. Acne can cause scarring, so why risk making the problem worse?

2. Get on the phone with a dermatologist.

Are your acne episodes coming closer together? It may be time to get some expert advice.

Set up an in-person or virtual appointment to meet with a dermatologist. The dermatologist can help you decide on the proper acne treatment to help tame the frequency and intensity of your flare-ups.

What if you can’t get to a pharmacy? No matter where you live, such as in a dorm on campus, you can get prescriptions delivered. You don’t have to find a physical store to start on a path to clearer skin.

3. Use clean face coverings.

We’ve all gotten accustomed to wearing masks. You may even like hiding behind a mask, especially if pimples hang around your mouth or jawline. Just be aware that a dirty cover can prompt a bad case of “make.”

What’s the root cause of masks? It can vary depending on your skin type, shape, and fabric. Some people’s show comes from constant irritation or a build-up of moisture. Other people feel their skin gets too bombarded by bacteria and doesn’t stay clean throughout the day.

It isn’t always a brilliant idea to take down your mask. Nonetheless, look for opportunities to give your face a mask break in a safe environment. Alternatively, wear a fresh or newly laundered mask daily to limit episodes.

4. Say no to foundation and powder.

Have you ever had the pure frustration of trying to cover a zit with makeup? It can be challenging, even if you have the right concealer. And if you’ve popped and picked at the blemish? Let’s say that you’re fighting a losing battle.

A flare-up is annoying enough to your skin. Don’t make it worse by slathering on the foundation with a trowel. Unless your pimple is very tiny and nearly invisible anyway, go easy. Makeup products can introduce more germs into your pores. And that means you could wake up tomorrow with more widespread blemishes.

If you feel naked without your beloved cosmetics, take heart: You can always wear eye shadow, eyeliner, and mascara. You can show off your style without prompting a nastier outbreak.

5. Start tracking your flare-up occurrences.

It may seem like your acne flare-ups happen randomly. Are you sure? The best way to know is to keep a record of them.

Start by charting your acne day after day. You’ll be able to see what’s happening from a broader perspective and better understand how to avoid (or at least anticipate) future issues.

The more you learn about how your body reacts to specific situations, the more control you’ll have over your blemishes. For example, you may discover that the Pimple Fairy comes after a few days of college sleep deprivation combined with poor nutrition. Knowing this, you can take steps to try to get more sleep and eat more balanced meals when you know that you have a full plate.

Pimples Will Pass: Pinky Swear

Still not feeling like you have an overabundance of confidence, thanks to the pink and red polka dots on your face? Give the processing time. Zits flare-up. They also flare out. Some will take longer than others to fade away, it’s true. Most mild ones tend to disappear within a few days or a week.

Even if you have severe acne that lasts longer, you don’t have to let it rule you. If needed, you can conquer your acne with proper care, including help from medical professionals. In the meantime, feel free to use some of those cool image filters… because you know you’re not about to stop taking selfies just because of an annoying spot.

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