Acne Mechanica

Did you know there is such a thing as washing too much and too aggressively?  Today we’re talking about just that.

Many patients of all ages think they can fix all of their skin woes by scrubbing harder.  Believe me, I’ve heard lots of things.  Then many patients add cleaning with alcohol, peroxide, witch hazel and scrubs.  Don’t get me started with scrubs and masks.

So what’s the deal and if scrubbing harder isn’t the solution what is?  Well here’s my list of tips.

1. Wash twice a day every day.  Gently.  In acne areas especially, I often recommend lathering up the area and leaving the wash on for a few minutes while you clean the rest of your body or do other parts of your skin routine.  Sometimes in dermatology we call this “short contact therapy”.  I particularly recommend doing this with prescription sulfur washes that we recommend for acne, rosacea and seborrheic dermatitis.
2. Use a cleanser.  This one surprises me as well.  Many patients are frustrated with things irritating them, so they stop using cleanser.  A gentle cleanser such as Cetaphil’s Gentle Cleanser is always a safe choice. I also often recommend their Oil Control wash and their bar soap as well. Cetaphil cleansing wipes are nice for after a sweaty workout as well. 
3. Use your hands and/or something soft.  Again gentle.  Do not scrub aggressively.  This aggravates active acne often making it bleed and causes inflammation.  As far as devices, I often recommend using a brush such as the Oil of Olay Facial Cleansing Brush or something similar for a deep clean or for hard to reach areas on the shoulders and back. 
4. Skip the Astringents.  Alcohol, peroxide, witch hazel, Sea Breeze and the latest TikTok concoction generally irritates more than anything else.  

If you want to have clear skin.  Be kind and gentle to your skin.  Be consistent – twice a day every day.  More is not better.  

Remember that for true acne, it often cannot be washed away.  See a dermatologist for treatment options that target the common causes of acne. 

Acne Mechanica can also be caused by hats and clothing that irritate the skin, so pay attention to these things as well.  In my experience, our own over scrubbing trumps all other causes.