Acne is very common and nearly all teenagers have battled with it at some stage. It is an unsightly embarrassing problem which can also cause pain. In this article there are some tips on how to get rid of acne.
The body s skin glands produce an oily substance called sebum aided by the hormone testosterone. Acne occurs when too much sebum or other external substances, such as oil, dirt or dead skin cells, cause the hair follicles to be blocked. This can range from a simple blackhead to a full acne infection depending on the severity of the problem.
Though acne cannot be cured, it can be reduced with an effort and change in habits. Here is some advice to help get rid of acne.
Do not touch it. If you squeeze your spots you will force the contents deeper into the skin and you will probably end up with an infection. Also your hands are covered in dirt, oil and bacteria which you do not want to get into your pimples.
It is advisable to avoid oil based products on your skin, such as make up, hair gels and sprays, lotions, creams and sunscreens. This applies to other oils like cooking oils too so beware of oily foods such as potato chips and other junk food. Excessive oil on the skin will clog up your pores and help to cause acne. To help get rid of acne switch to water based products and cut down on oily food.
It is known that washing too much or harshly can make acne worse because it makes the skin dry and sore. However it is advisable to wash your face twice a day, using a gentle soap and water. Avoid strong soaps and facial scrubs as these can damage your skin and glands and dry the skin out which will worsen the problem. Sebum is produced to protect your skin so if you fight this by exfoliating or cleansing excessively you will not do yourself any favours.
A dermatologist will be able to give you advice on what over the counter products are effective. The lotions contain substances such as benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, resorcinol and sulphur which help you to shed dead skin cells, gets rid of dirt and oil and destroys a build up of bacteria. It is important to try out several products to see what suits you or to get professional advice as these ingredients are skin irritants and need to be used with care.
Many doctors and dermatologists will prescribe antibiotic pills for very bad acne or if it is causing scarring. Antibiotics such as tetracycline and monocycline can have very bad side effects so it is important to monitor their use. The hormones in oral contraceptives can also make acne worse so a doctor will often advise an alternative means of birth control if you take these.
An obvious thing to take into account is to eat healthily and keep up your vitamin intake. After all, a healthy diet ensures that your body can optimally fight infection and acne is simply an infection of your skin.
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