That scourge of adolescence, acne, hits just about everyone at some time or another. Some people get off lightly, for others it becomes a big problem. There are a number of factors which can contribute to acne which are listed in the guide below along with the best way to treat it.
What causes acne?
Sebum is the main cause behind most cases of acne. Normally, Sebum lubricates skin and hair to optimal levels of that they stay soft and smooth but not greasy or oily, as long as proper hygiene is followed. When going though the various stages of growing up, the body's hormone levels can spike and cause it to manufacture more Sebum than it requires. The most frequent place acne occurs is in the 'T zone' which is the forehead, nose and chin. This is where most people get pimples.
Blocked pores quickly become inflamed and the Sebum starts backing up. Most often, you see "whiteheads" appear in these areas, which is an inflamed area surrounding a small white "capsule." "Blackheads" are a variant of whiteheads, they are simply whiteheads that turn dark after dirt gets into them. The whitehead only becomes a pimple after the whitehead becomes infected with bacteria.
Taking care of acne
There is more to acne care than just giving your face a good scrub numerous times a day. Scrubbing is actually counter productive to reducing acne, as the action of scrubbing cleanses the pores but at the same time, stimulates more oil production in the scrubbed area. As the skin is already suffering from Sebum over-production, increasing this will only make things worse.
What you can do to control acne
Washing your face gently twice a day with specialized acne soap will remove cleanse the pores without increasing Sebum levels. DON'T SCRUB. Applying the soap and lightly lathering in circular motions on the affected skin is the ideal way to treat acne.
After you clean your face, apply a mild over-the-counter lotion with benzoyl peroxide, which will kill bacteria and lower oil production. Many of these lotions also contain moisturizer, which is good for your face, because having a mild anti-acne lotion that nonetheless moisturizes will help keep acne at bay.
A list of things for acne sufferers to avoid.
Don't use moisturizers unless they are specifically formulated for oily skin or for those with acne.
Other creams will only server to make your acne worse. DO apply creams that are specialized for people suffering from acne.
Don't pop pimples.
I know its difficult sometimes, but when you realize it causes infection to spread and even scarring, you may find it a lot easier to resist the urge.
Avoid touching your face unless you know for a fact that your hands are clean.
Common sense should rein here as you will have to touch your face during the washing process, but resist the urge during the day when your hands are dirty. You can transfer bacteria or other people's sebum to your face, which can make breakouts worse.
Tight clothing is a no-no and you must be vigilant to keep your glasses or sunglasses clean.
Constrictive and form fitting clothing, including scarves and headbands, does not let your skin breathe, encourages sweating and will only serve to spread acne. The bridge of your nose is in constant contact with glasses or sunglasses, which is why its important to keep them clean. If you don't do this, you could risk reinfecting yourself with bacteria from previous wearings.
Anyone wearing makeup should clean it off before going to bed.
Buying water based makeup will be a step in the right direction. This will indicate that it is "noncomedogenic" or "nonacnegenic on the label.
Keep your hair tied back as much as possible.
Having hair touching your face can aggravate and spread acne to more areas of your face.
If you have tried these techniques and are still being plagued by acne, you should book a consultation with a dermatologist. He or she will have treatments and other options available for you if you can't seem to keep it under control with normal methods. However, for most people, they will be able to keep their acne in check by following the tips listed above.
To find out more, visit a page on acne cures.
