What Can You Do For Acne?
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Because everyone has acne at some point, the right time to treat it is when it bothers you, or if potential scarring develops. This can be when severe acne suddenly erupts, the mild acne that just will not go away, or even a single pimple decides to show up the week before prom or a wedding. The decision is yours.
What can you do for acne?
Think back to the three basic causes of acne and you can understand why the focus of both home treatment and prescription therapy is to (1) unclog pores, (2) kill bacteria, and (3) minimize oil. But first, a word about ...
Lifestyle: Moderation and regularity are good things, but not everyone can sleep eight hours, eat three good meals, and drink eight glasses of water a day. You can, however, continue to control acne, even if the procedure is crazy and unpredictable. Probably the most useful lifestyle changes you can make is to never pick or squeeze pimples. Playing with or popping pimples, no matter how careful and clean you are, nearly always makes bumps stay redder and bumpier longer. People often refer to redness as "scarring," but fortunately it usually is not in a permanent sense. It's just a sign that takes months to fade left alone.
Open season
Purification and skin care: Despite what you read in the popular style and fashion magazines, there is no magic product or regimen that is right for every person and situation.
Mild cleansers: Washing once or twice a day with a mild cleansing bar or liquid (for example, where, Neutrogena, Basis, Purpose, and Cetaphil are inexpensive and popular) will keep your skin clean and minimize sensitivity and irritation.
Exfoliating cleansers and masks: The variety of mild scrubs, exfoliants and masks can be used. These products contain either fine granules or salicylic acid in a concentration that makes it a very mild peeling.These products remove the outer layer of the skin, and thus open pores. Products containing glycolic or alpha hydroxy acids are also gentle skin exfoliants.
Retinol: Not to be confused with prescription Retin-A, a derivative of vitamin A can help promote skin peeling.
Exfoliating cleansers and masks: The variety of mild scrubs, exfoliants and masks can be used. These products contain either fine granules or salicylic acid in a concentration that makes it a very mild peeling.These products remove the outer layer of the skin, and thus open pores. Products containing glycolic or alpha hydroxy acids are also gentle skin exfoliants.
Retinol: Not to be confused with prescription Retin-A, a derivative of vitamin A can help promote skin peeling.
They kill bacteria
Antibacterial cleansers: The most popular ingredient in over-the-counter anti-bacterial cleaning products is benzoyl peroxide.
now (external) Applications: These products are sold in the form of gels, creams, and lotions that are applied in the affected area. Active substances that kill bacteria contain surface benzoyl peroxide, sulfur, and resorcinol. Some of the brands advertised on television and cable internet (like Proactiv) are much more expensive than the same products can be purchased at medicinesstore.
now (external) Applications: These products are sold in the form of gels, creams, and lotions that are applied in the affected area. Active substances that kill bacteria contain surface benzoyl peroxide, sulfur, and resorcinol. Some of the brands advertised on television and cable internet (like Proactiv) are much more expensive than the same products can be purchased at medicinesstore.
Benzoyl peroxide causes red and scaly skin irritation in a small number of people who retire as soon as possible to stop using the product. Keep in mind that benzoyl peroxide is a bleach, so do not let products containing benzoyl peroxide leave unsightly blotching on colored clothes, shirts, towels, and rugs.
Reduce oil
You can not stop your oil glands from producing oil (unless you mess with your hormones or metabolism in a way that should not be). Even isotretinoin (Accutane, see below) only slows down oil glands for a while, come back to life later. What you can do is get rid of the oil on the surface of the skin and reduce the embarrassing shine.
Use a gentle astringent / toner to wipe off the oil. (There are many brands available in pharmacies, as well as manufacturers of cosmetics line.)
Products containing glycolic acid or one of the other alpha hydroxy acids are also helpful in explaining gently to the skin, causing the superficial layer of the skin to peel (exfoliate).
masks containing sulfur and other components of the oil drawn face.
Antibacterial pads containing benzoyl peroxide has the additional advantage of helping to wipe oil.
Products containing glycolic acid or one of the other alpha hydroxy acids are also helpful in explaining gently to the skin, causing the superficial layer of the skin to peel (exfoliate).
masks containing sulfur and other components of the oil drawn face.
Antibacterial pads containing benzoyl peroxide has the additional advantage of helping to wipe oil.
What are some other things you can do for acne?
Cosmetics: Do not be afraid to hide the imperfections of the flesh-tinted coverups or even foundation, as long at it is water-based (which makes noncomedogenic). There are many products available quality.
Facials: While not essential, steaming and "deep cleaning" pores is useful, both alone and in addition to treatment, especially for people with "whiteheads" or "blackheads." Having these pores unclogged by a professional also reduces the temptation do it yourself.
Pore strips: Pharmacies now carry, under various brand names, strips can be placed on the nose, forehead, chin, etc., to "draw" Fat of the pores. They are, in fact, do it yourself face. They are inexpensive, safe, and work reasonably well if used properly.
Toothpaste? One popular home remedy is to put toothpaste on zits. There is no medical basis for this. Ditto vinegar.
Facials: While not essential, steaming and "deep cleaning" pores is useful, both alone and in addition to treatment, especially for people with "whiteheads" or "blackheads." Having these pores unclogged by a professional also reduces the temptation do it yourself.
Pore strips: Pharmacies now carry, under various brand names, strips can be placed on the nose, forehead, chin, etc., to "draw" Fat of the pores. They are, in fact, do it yourself face. They are inexpensive, safe, and work reasonably well if used properly.
Toothpaste? One popular home remedy is to put toothpaste on zits. There is no medical basis for this. Ditto vinegar.
What is a good basic skin regimen?
These are all good basic skin regimens that may help fight acne:
Cleanse twice daily benzoyl peroxide 5% wash. An alternative for those who are allergic to benzoyl peroxide is 2% salicylic acid.
Apply a gel or cream containing 5% benzoyl peroxide, an alternative is sulfur or resorcinol.
At night, apply a spot cream containing sulfur to the affected areas.
use light skin moisturizer and water-based, oil-free makeup.
Apply a gel or cream containing 5% benzoyl peroxide, an alternative is sulfur or resorcinol.
At night, apply a spot cream containing sulfur to the affected areas.
use light skin moisturizer and water-based, oil-free makeup.
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