While there are countless different acne treatments on the market, many who suffer from acne often fail to acknowledge the importance of prevention. Effective acne treatments vary from person to the next, but taking steps to ensure you experience as few breakouts as possible in the first place will significantly eliminate you need for treatments after the fact. This article discusses some of the most important preventative strategies for curtailing the onset of blemishes and blackheads.

Change Your Linens Regularly

One of the most effective, and still lesser recognized, strategies for preventing acne is to frequently change your linens. In particular, things like pillowcases should be changed, at the very least, once a week. If you have freshly washed pillowcases for every night of the week, you're in an even better position to eliminate pesky acne breakouts.

Even if you shower immediately before going to bed, your skin secretes oils throughout the night. Combine that with the dirt and dust in the air that ultimately settles on your pillowcases and you have a recipe for bad skin. As dirt and oil accumulate on your linens, the six to eight hours you sleep every night ultimately serves as soak time in conditions that are extremely counterproductive to clear skin.

Look Into Your Hair Products

Another component of acne prevention involves choosing the right kind of hair products. Everything from shampoos and conditioners to hairsprays and pomades can irritate and inflame the skin on your face, which may ultimately lead to acne outbreaks.

Ideally, you want to use products that are free from alcohol. At the very least, you should minimize the number of products you use with high alcohol content, and opt for less harsh alternatives. It's also a good idea to kick any products that are petroleum based. Gels or hair styling products with ingredients like jojoba oil or shea butter should be replaced with oil-free products.

Finally, you should scan your shampoos, conditioners, and pomades for ingredients like panthenol, sodium lauryl sulfate and ammonium lauryl sulfate. These are all ingredients that have long been suspected as the cause for acne outbreaks. However, individual tolerances for and reactions to these kinds of chemicals vary from one person to another, so it is important to experiment a little before throwing out all your hair care products.

Although most people seek treatments for their acne issues after they experience an outbreak, some of the most effective strategies for eliminating outbreaks hinge on preventative measures. And while there are many different approaches to prevention, frequently changing your linens and inspecting your hair care products for acne-inducing chemicals are two of the most effective. For further assistance, contact professionals, such as those from East Carolina Dermatology and Skin Surgery, PLLC.