Acne Solutions That Eliminate Zits and Blackheads
1. Hygiene - A healthy skin regimen should include no harsh scrubbing or over-washing, because this can cause possible skin irritation or possible over production of oil to replace what's washed off, clogging pores in the process. Products with gentle exfoliation ingredients are OK to use; i.e. not scratchy nut or fruit shell pieces that can tear skin. And skip alcohol products when possible; these can take off the top layer of your skin and cause your glands to product more oil, clogging pores in the process. If you do spot acne-troubled areas, do NOT mess with them. Remember that these are already weeks in the making, and squeezing or picking blemishes can force the infected area to regress back inside, further troubling the region and possibly leave a scar. If necessary, seek help from a dermatologist for alternative treatments. 25. Products - Here are some of the more popular products on the market to help with the prevention and spreading of acne: Benzoyl Peroxide: Helps destroy the bacteria that cause acne. Proactiv® Solution: A dermatologist formulated 3-Step acne management system - combining prescription- grade ingredients that work together to heal and prevent acne or combination therapy / acne management system. Salicylic Acid: Helps to unclog pores and renew skin. Retinoids: Synthetic derivatives of Vitamin A that unclog pores and aid in sloughing. Antibiotics: They help destroy bacteria and decrease inflammation. Oral Contraceptives: Help with hormone level management. Anti-Androgens: These help with the reduction of sebum production and comedone formation, i.e. they inhibit the body's production of acne-causing hormones. Isotretinoin (Accutane): an effective acne control medication especially for the treatment of severe cystic or nodular acne. 3. Shaving - Shaving for both genders is actually an excellent way of exfoliating or removing dead skin to help with the prevention and spreading of acne instead of leaving the remains to clog pores. And for some light acne cases already in process, shaving can help rid whiteheads and blackheads from the face. A word of caution: for areas with infection or high inflammatory activity (redness, sensitive, open acne, sores, etc.), do not shave. Or at the very least, use a shaving cream for sensitive skin. For best results with regular shaving, follow these procedures: First steer away from shaving creams that are oily and choose one for sensitive skin if available. Then moisten facial or other hair with warm water, apply the shaving cream and lather well. Shave with a sharp (not dull) blade. Note when shaving, use gentle swipes instead of heavy pressure ones that can irritate acne-prone areas. And go with the flow or "grain;" in other words, adapt to downward, lateral, angular or upward swipes, for a smoother shave with less nicks and irritating backward motions. Experiment with different razors, both electric and disposable, with single- double- or triple-edged (mach III) heads to see which works best for you. And try shaving in a warm shower for better results. For after shaving applications, try toning to stop bacteria dead in its tracks before it gets into your open follicles. Here are some suggestions: try antibiotic gel or lotion, witch hazel, Dalacin T, a mild alcohol-free toner, Benzoyl Peroxide in gel form and Salicylic Acid in a gel. Shaving Tip: Electric razors may not shave as close to the skin; however, they help with the prevention of acne and other skin breakouts and flare-ups better. Shaving Tip: If a non-electric razor is your choice, a single-edged blade is actually better. Why? Because double- and triple-edged blades grab hair follicles and pull them out from below the epidermis. And in the process, your skin "heals itself" by closing over these holes, making it difficult for future hair follicles to grow outward - creating inflammation in the tight areas. 4. Stress - Since your skin in your largest organ, how you live can sure influence how healthy your skin is. And stress, not necessarily "bad" stress, but rather certain external and internal stressors, factor into this health equation. So let's take a look at how to handle these stressors with regards to acne prevention. External Stressors- A goal of acne prevention would be to keep your skin pores clear from clogging and becoming infected and irritated, resulting in blemishes and inflammation. So you need to take a look at your external environment throughout the day for factors that could trigger skin pore clogging. Here are some examples of what to look for: grease, oils and sun, like being around open fryers in kitchen areas, or around machine oil and grease in workshops or factories, or out in the sun all day on a construction jobsite. Too much oil, grease or sun on the skin can clog pores and trigger acne and other skin irritations. Minimize contact by wearing long sleeves and other protective wear and gear and discussing further options with your dermatologist or healthcare provider. With regards to being out in the sun, note that a small amount of sun each day can be fine and healthy. However, extended periods can trigger the sebaceous glands to create more oil as your skin dries out. At the same time, the drie d out skin needs to be cast off or shed at a faster rate than normal. The resulting extra oils and dead skin make a wonderful environment for pore clogging. So here, too, use protective clothing for outdoor activities and apply sunscreen; oil-free products are best for acne-prone people, and those with a minimum protection of SPF 15 and both UVA and UVB protection. Internal Stressors - Internal stressors like anxiety, fear, low self-esteem, depression and a variety of other internalized emotions, can trigger chemical reactions inside your body that can result in acne flare-ups and other skin irritations. What happens is that these emotions can set your adrenal glands to work creating more cortisol, the substance that in turn causes your sebaceous glands to produce increased amounts of sebum oil, excessive amounts of which can be blocked in pores. Same old story: extra oil + extra dead skin cells = blocked pores, triggering acne flare-ups. With internal stressors, though, the results are usually "inflamed papules" or small, solid inflammations (or skin elevations that do not contain pus), instead of whiteheads or blackheads. To combat internal stressors and prevent acne problems, here are some suggestions. Get plenty of rest and sleep a recommended average of eight hours per night. Try to maintain regular hours each day, regardless of which shift your work. Some say to focus on reducing SWAT: reduce your stress, worry, anxiety and tension, so journal a little each day mentioning any "SWAT" stressors you've felt. And focus on those that may seem overwhelming or to be taking too long to "end," seeking help from others or other resources as needed for stress management. Check with your dietician or healthcare provider to establish and follow a regular well-balanced dietary and exercise plan of action to keep your body healthy on the inside and outside. Keep a check list of "Things that Calm You" handy for stressful times, like reading a book, resting, listening to music, taking a walk, going out for an ice cream cone, etc.
