Fight Your Pimples and Reduce the Occurrence of Acne For Good
Everyone experiences acne at some point in his or her life. With the rapid onset of hormones people experience in their early teens usually comes the not-so-welcome change of oily skin and the most dreaded culprit of all: pimples.
They can be painful, sore, and make you just want to hide all day long until they go away. Fortunately, recent dermatological developments have provided lots of solutions to this age-old issue that accommodate all different skin types and levels of acne.
To prevent acne from occurring in the first place, there are a few simple lifestyle adjustments you can make to your daily (and nightly) routine.
Whether you have skin issues or not, it’s important to wash your face at least once a day, although twice is recommended. Use a gentle exfoliant to remove the dead outer layer of skin, and gently dab with a warm washcloth. Throw the washcloth in the laundry after one use – you can spread bacteria by reusing them.
Be careful not to wash too much, as you can strip your skin of important oils that it needs to maintain healthy moisture levels and a good pH balance. Using a good moisturizer every day is also important. A lot of acne creams and treatments are extremely drying to the skin, so replacing the moisture you’re losing is vital. Try to find a “noncomedogenic” brand of moisturizer, which means it should not cause acne.
Makeup can cause clogged pores and debris-buildup on skin, which can lead to breakouts.
Try to keep your makeup brushes clean in order to prevent the spread of bacteria – you can use baby soap to clean the bristles, and rinse with lukewarm water. Always remember to take your makeup off at the end of the day, as acne is caused by blockage of the pores.
If dead skin cells are not exfoliated and removed, they can also cause the pores to become clogged, resulting in those pesky pimples you want to avoid. Having a regular skincare routine that incorporates exfoliation and moisturization is an important place to start in preventing acne.
If you already have issues with breakouts, don’t worry! There are plenty of changes you can make to combat the problem.
Never try to pop pimples on your own.
Pimples contain debris and bacteria, which you can easily force deeper into your skin. You can even introduce bacteria from your fingers into the zit, which can result in permanent damage and scarring.
You should generally try to avoid touching your face, as your fingers contain oils and bacteria that can cause breakouts to occur. If you are in a situation in which you need a zit removed urgently, it’s best to seek out a professional.
For recurring issues with acne, talk to a professional about an over-the-counter medicine. Many people use toothpaste to dry out pimples, but the harsh chemicals can actually irritate the skin even more.
Most acne treatments contain agents such as Resorcinol, which breaks down blackheads and whiteheads; Benzoyl peroxide, which kills bacteria and slows the production of oil in facial glands; Retin-A, which unblocks clogged pores; Salicylic Acid, for swelling, redness, and irritation; or Sulphur, which oxidizes upon use and has antibacterial properties.
You can find creams and treatments that contain these ingredients at your local drugstore. You can also try an easily-obtained spot treatment, such as a homeopathic gel treatment rich in sulfur, to treat pimples.
Your doctor may think it’s best for you to use a prescription treatment for your acne.
Everyone’s skin is different – a person with sensitive skin, for example, shouldn’t necessarily be using the same treatment as a person with excessively dry, rough skin. In fact, using the wrong treatment can cause irritation and even more damage.
A topical pressure treatment derived from Vitamin A, such as tazarotene, adapalene, and tretinoin, might be the right idea for you. There are also oral antibiotics, such as tetracycline, available by prescription, which usually start producing results within six weeks. These antibiotics cannot be used in conjunction with birth control, and usually need to be taken for 4-6 months at a time.
You may have found that you’re not finding the solution you need to suit the severity of your acne. Cystic acne is a common, highly genetic problem with unknown cause that requires concentrated treatment. It occurs when bacteria become trapped inside the pore and the infection spreads deeper into the skin, resulting in a sore, tender, inflamed pustule.
These cysts are generally larger than the average zit.
Acne of this scale requires prescription-strength creams, lotions, and gels with retinoids in order to unplug the pores.
An oral antibiotic may very well be necessary to control cystic acne: they work to control the spread of bacteria and decrease inflammation. It’s important to get medication for cystic acne, as it can cause scarring and severe, permanent damage to skin.
If you’re dealing with severe acne on parts of your body other than your face, make sure to wear loose fitting clothes that cause minimal sweating, as hot, humid conditions promote the spread of bacteria. Make sure to wash your clothes, especially bras and tight-fitting articles, after every single wear.
If you’re struggling with acne, don’t despair – do something about it! Of course, it’s always best to consult a doctor, specifically a dermatologist, for recurring issues. There are lots of creams and treatments available at reasonable prices at drugstores and markets – you just have to know what you’re looking for!
Really think about what skin type you have before selecting a product. It’s important to have a regular skincare routine for a variety of reasons –clear, beautiful skin is an added (and important) benefit!
