Acne: Causes and Solutions
During the early years of growing up, acne affects nearly everybody. 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.
The causes behind acne
Sebum is the main cause behind most cases of acne. Sebum is responsible for lubricating skin and hair to an optimal level to ensure that it stays soft and smooth, or greasy when washing is undertaken irregularly. 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 ‘T zone’ (the forehead, nose and chin) is where acne usually becomes most common, This is usually the first and most likely place pimples will pop up.
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.” The top of the capsule may also grow dark and form what’s called a “blackhead.” The whitehead only becomes a pimple after the whitehead becomes infected with bacteria.
Taking care of acne
Taking care of acne is not as simple as giving yourself a “good scrub” a couple of 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. Increasing Sebum production will only compound the problem and cause the acne to multiply.
What you can do to control acne
Taking the time to get ahold of proper ance soap and lightly washing twice a day will help. DON’T SCRUB. Instead of scrubbing, massage the soap in circles over the affected areas taking care not to further inflame the irritated area.
After you clean your face, apply a mild over-the-counter lotion with benzoyl peroxide, which will kill bacteria and lower oil production. Most of these lotions also have moisturizer, which assists in moisturizing and preventing the regrowth and spread of acne.
Things acne sufferers should avoid
Don’t use moisturizers unless they are specifically formulated for oily skin or for those with acne.
These oil-based moisturizers can make your acne worse. DO take advantage of moisturizers that are specifically designed with ance sufferes in mind.
Avoid popping 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.
Avoid wearing tight clothing if possible and be sure that you keep your glasses or sunglasses clean.
Clothing that is tight or constricting (even headbands and scarves) pushes oil back into the pores and causes oil buildup. People who wear glasses or sunglasses should keep them clean as often as possible to avoid spreading germs around the bridge of your nose. If you don’t do this, you could risk reinfecting yourself with bacteria from previous wearings.
If you must wear makeup, take it off before you go to sleep.
Buying water based makeup will be a step in the right direction. This will indicate that it is “noncomedogenic” or “nonacnegenic on the label.
Wear your hair back off your face.
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 soluitions.
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