Understanding Hidden Acne: Effective Ways to Combat It

Hidden acne is one of the reasons that can make the skin rough and dull. So what exactly is hidden acne? What causes it, how to prevent it, and effective methods to treat hidden acne under the skin? Let's explore what you need to know about hidden acne with Mytour to better understand this condition and achieve smoother, brighter, healthier skin.

What is Hidden Acne Under the Skin?

Hidden acne under the skin differs from pus-filled or inflamed acne. This type of acne is non-inflammatory, not swollen, not painful, but the acne nodules lie deep within the hair follicles, making them difficult to detect. The manifestation is tiny, clustered acne spots, often appearing on the forehead, cheeks, and chin, causing the skin surface to become rough. These are areas highly susceptible to external factors, coupled with poor skincare, leading to the accumulation of sebum and dirt, resulting in acne formation.

Causes of Hidden Acne

Inadequate or improper skin hygiene

Skin cleansing is the fundamental and most important step in beauty care. However, many people overlook makeup removal and only cleanse their skin with water. You may think that since your skin is not wearing makeup, you don't need makeup removal, but in reality, every day your skin comes into contact with dirt, dust, and harmful impurities. Without proper cleansing, the skin will accumulate dirt, sebum deep inside the hair follicles, leading to clogged pores and the formation of hidden acne.

External Environmental Pollution

Airborne pollutants such as smoke, dust, and chemicals can clog the pores. Additionally, household items such as blankets, curtains, and pillows are often breeding grounds for bacteria. Sleeping habits like hugging pillows or bundling up in blankets can increase bacteria exposure to the facial skin, leading to a higher likelihood of hidden acne formation.

Overuse of Cosmetics Leading to Hidden Acne

Excessive use of cosmetics can lead to continuous pore blockage, preventing proper ventilation of the skin. Inadequate makeup removal after application allows makeup residue to penetrate deep into the skin, causing acne to remain hidden beneath the surface.

Moreover, attention must be paid to the cleanliness of makeup tools such as sponges, cotton pads, and brushes. These items come into direct contact with the facial skin, so if not thoroughly cleaned, they can become a source of infection and pore congestion.

Unhealthy Lifestyle Habits

An improper lifestyle, consumption of spicy foods, oily dishes, frequent late nights, irregular sleep patterns, stress, and fatigue are also factors contributing to hidden acne formation.

Additionally, the habit of touching the face with hands can transfer bacteria from the hands to the facial skin, leading to acne development.

Hormonal Imbalance and Increased Sebum Production Cause Hidden Acne

An unstable endocrine system stemming from poor diet, unhealthy lifestyle, or periods such as pregnancy or menstruation can lead to fluctuations in hormone levels. These fluctuations stimulate the sebaceous glands to produce excess sebum, which, when combined with dirt, forms the underlying cause of hidden acne.

Individuals with weak livers that cannot effectively eliminate toxins from the body through normal mechanisms tend to push toxins out through the skin's surface, resulting in hidden acne.

Understanding Hidden Acne

Hidden acne extraction involves expediting the process of extracting acne nodules through various methods such as exfoliation, using acne-fighting agents, and stimulating keratinocyte shedding. This method pushes the acne nodules gradually to the skin's surface for natural expulsion. The duration of this process typically ranges from 2 to 6 weeks, after which you will likely notice improved skin condition.

Why Is Hidden Acne Extraction Necessary?

Hidden acne extraction is a crucial phase in acne treatment as it helps bring acne nodules to the skin's surface, leading to smoother and clearer skin. Here are the reasons why you should consider hidden acne extraction methods:

• Assists in eliminating blockages such as excess oil, sebum, and bacteria, accelerating the process of shedding dead skin cells to renew the skin.
• Prevents the occurrence of hidden acne and other types of acne.
• Failure to bring acne to the skin's surface can result in deep-seated acne, making the affected area difficult to treat and potentially leading to scarring or damaging the skin's structure.

Distinguishing Between 'Acne Purging' and 'Acne Breakouts' When Using Acne Treatment Products

The purging phase brings acne nodules to the skin's surface, which some mistake for product irritation. To differentiate, pay attention to the following:

• Signs of Acne Purging

Areas with hidden acne may exhibit various types of acne such as blackheads, hidden acne, inflammatory acne, or may be identified by acne appearing in areas previously unaffected. Acne during this phase may increase before gradually subsiding after a period of 2 to 4 weeks. If acne treatment during this phase involves ingredients like AHA, BHA, Retinol, then this is a normal acne purging process.

• Signs of Irritation

When the skin suddenly develops redness, itching, and stinging, it indicates skin irritation. When these symptoms occur, it's important to address them properly, determine the underlying cause of the skin condition to avoid skin irritation leading to acne outbreaks.

Effective and Safe Ways to Purge Hidden Acne at Home

Purging Hidden Acne with BHA

BHA has antibacterial properties and can penetrate oil. It can dive deep into the pores and remove dead skin cells as well as excess sebum. These are the culprits behind clogged pores and acne. BHA will help the acne come to a head quickly, then it will push the acne bumps to the surface of the skin, aiding in a faster healing process.

Regular Exfoliation

Exfoliating 2-3 times a week helps to unclog pores, remove excess oil, and keep the skin clean, effectively pushing hidden acne to the surface. When using exfoliating products, opt for gel-based ones and avoid harsh scrubbing. Limit the use of grainy products as they can cause surface abrasions, leading to more serious inflammation in acne wounds.

Using Under-the-Skin Acne Cream or Serum

Some acne treatments or serums containing active ingredients like AHA, BHA work to push acne lesions from deep within the skin and quickly dry out acne bumps. Additionally, combination acne treatments with ingredients such as AHA-PHA-BHA, AHA-RETINOL, etc., help prevent acne and provide multiple benefits for the skin.

Use Keratolytic Agents

Using some acne skincare products such as moisturizers, serums, toners, etc., containing active ingredients for acne treatment helps remove dead skin cells naturally, speed up cell turnover, and regenerate new skin.

Some active ingredients may include:

• Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid.
• Salicylic Acid.
• Benzoyl Peroxide.

Try Using Acne Patches or Masks

Face masks have become a familiar beauty regimen for everyone. Nowadays, many masks include active ingredients that can gently push acne to the surface while also providing moisture to the skin. However, the effectiveness of this method varies depending on the severity of your acne.

Additionally, acne patches can be used as they contain dissolvable particles with controlling agents to limit acne. These patches also minimize external exposure to the affected area. Typically, they're used for isolated pimples rather than widespread acne.

Utilize Medical Standard Methods

If you want the acne-clearing process to be safe, consider seeking acne treatment at dermatology clinics. Here, dermatologists will examine your skin and provide you with a safe acne treatment plan. Here are some commonly used methods at dermatology clinics:

• Skin peeling: This method removes dead skin cells using high-concentration active ingredients. These ingredients penetrate deep into the skin to push underlying acne to the surface. The concentration used varies depending on the severity of the acne.
• Biophotonic therapy: This method uses blue light to push hidden acne to the surface. The heat generated eliminates bacteria, accelerates the process of acne formation, and expels acne from the skin.
• Medical acne extraction: It's advisable to have acne extracted at medical clinics. During the extraction process, dermatologists can identify which acne has been extracted and which ones haven't, reducing the risk of scarring.

Pushing Hidden Acne with Rose Water

Rose water contains anti-inflammatory and acne-reducing properties, deep cleanses the pores, promotes skin breathability, and reduces acne. Additionally, it contains a large amount of vitamins that help combat aging, prevent wrinkles, and reduce fine lines. When choosing rose water for acne treatment, opt for products containing Salicylic acid to reduce redness and prevent acne outbreaks.

Facial Steaming

Facial steaming helps stimulate the activity of sebaceous glands, opens up pores, and expels dirt and excess oil, purifying the skin and speeding up the acne treatment process. Consequently, it helps reduce acne formation and promotes a healthier complexion.

Utilizing Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is extracted from tea tree leaves. It contains properties that can kill bacteria, fungi, and reduce skin allergies. For blackhead acne, apply 5% tea tree oil daily to fully leverage its benefits.

Utilizing Bitter Gourd

Bitter gourd contains proteins, vitamin C, and Alkaloid compounds that are effective in treating acne. It boosts the skin's immunity, while vitamins C and B aid in collagen production, repairing acne-induced damage, and reducing acne scars. The simplest method is to blend bitter gourd in a blender to extract its juice and apply it to the acne-affected areas.

Combatting Hidden Acne with Aloe Vera

Aloe vera helps treat acne due to the following properties:

• Gibberellin and polysaccharides act as antibacterial agents, eliminating acne-causing bacteria, reducing inflammation, and removing dead skin cells and dirt.
• Aloe vera has soothing properties, helping to reduce inflammation and redness caused by acne.
• Zinc, vitamin C, and vitamin E stimulate skin cell growth, promoting fast healing and skin regeneration.
• Antioxidants help to fade scars.

Things to Consider When Dealing with Acne

• Maintain a daily cleansing routine, even if you don't wear makeup, as dirt and excess oil can still accumulate on the skin. Investing in a facial cleansing device can enhance the effectiveness of cleansing.
• Before extracting pimples, use a facial steamer to open up the pores, making the extraction process easier.
• Follow a balanced diet and lifestyle.
• Keep the skin and items that frequently come into contact with the skin, such as sheets, pillowcases, clean.
• Understand what to do after popping a pimple to avoid bacterial infection in the acne lesion.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Does Acne Pushing Take?

The acne pushing process typically takes from 2 to 8 weeks. It's important to find a method that suits your skin. If you don't see any improvement in your skin or experience more breakouts, you should consult a dermatologist for timely resolution.

Is it Beneficial to Apply Acne Pushing Cream?

The answer is yes. Nowadays, acne pushing creams contain acne-fighting ingredients such as Benzoyl Peroxide, Retinoids... which are antiseptic agents capable of killing acne-causing bacteria, controlling pore congestion, reducing inflammation, and effectively drying out acne bumps. Additionally, they promote skin regeneration, boost collagen production, aiding in rapid acne healing, and reducing acne scars.

How to Care for Dry, Flaky Skin After Acne Pushing?

After acne pushing, the skin may become dry. Your job is to use gentle facial cleansers that don't irritate. Use light, non-clogging moisturizers containing repairing agents to keep the skin healthy.

Discover top brands: Cerave facial cleanser, Bioderma makeup remover. Hopefully, this article will help you address inquiries about hidden acne. Additionally, visit Mytour Blog for more insightful knowledge. Alternatively, head to Mytour.vn to get essential items for your journey to eliminate hidden acne!