The Best Acne Treatments

Over the years many good hearted people have shared ideas and stories that have no factual basis when it comes to preventing or treating acne. We are here to help you dispel the myths and educate acne sufferers like yourself with actual facts.

Greasy Foods

There have been no studies showing a connection between greasy foods or sweets and acne.  With this in mind it is important to remember that a healthy body with a well balanced diet are important factors in helping your fight against acne outbreaks.

Stress

Although it is believed that stress causes acne or is the reason existing acne becomes worse, stress is not known to be a sole factoring source of acne outbreaks. What leads to the connection of acne and stress is that stress does increase the production of sebum (oil) in the skin and people under a great amount of stress are more apt to forget the daily regime of proper skin care.  When dealing with stress it is very critical to follow your daily routine of cleansing your skin. For those taking medication prescribed for anxiety, stress or depression, side effects quite often include acne. If you are already an acne sufferer then you should consult your physician to find a medication that will not worsen your condition.

Ages Acne Affects

Teenagers are the prime age group involving acne. During puberty their bodies go through many hormonal changes which makes them more prone. Women during menopause, perimenopause, menstruation and pregnancy also have fluctuating hormones that can result in acne outbreaks. Acne can also occur in babies, toddlers and children.

Lack Of Cleansing

Dirty or oily skin does not cause acne. It is the result of natural oils and dead skin cells combined together to form a plug in hair follicles called pores. Over scrubbing or using abrasive exfoliants and cleansers will make the skin dry and irritated. Be gentle to you skin when cleansing by applying minimal friction. Wash cloths cause even more irritation so use bare hands to wash and gently pat skin to dry.

Topical Medications

While using topical medications is a great way to help hinder acne, overuse of ointments will not resolve an outbreak any faster. To avoid irritation, excessive dryness, peeling patches or red skin carefully follow all instructions on the product label. Find the acne medication that works best for you and stick with it.

Blackheads

Contrary to popular belief blackheads are not soil deposits in your pores. They are a combination of excessive sebum (oil) and dead skin cells. Unlike a pimple the top layer is not covered with cells but is exposed to air. This exposure creates a plug in the pore that will be a discoloured hew of black or brown.

Untreatable

Do not be discouraged by those who say you cannot treat acne. There are in fact many treatments available including over-the-counter items and prescription medications. Talk with your pharmacist, physician or dermatologist to determine the best treatment for you.

Makeup

Many people believe that makeup in combination with oily skin leads to acne. Again it is a matter of choosing the correct product for your personal skin type. Start with a concealer that contains benzoyl peroxide to help inhibit blemishes. When choosing your foundation avoid all oil based varieties. A water based or water and oil together will be a more practical choice.

Exercise

Although good for your body, exercise increases the production of natural oils. The natural oil exercise generates will most likely develop into acne. To prevent this make sure you allow time to properly cleanse your skin each time you exercise.

Exposure to Sun

Blemishes often have the appearance of diminishing once out in the sun. In actual fact the sun darkens and reddens the skin, this makes blemishes more apt to blend into your new skin tone. If you are taking any medications read the label carefully to make sure it does not effect the skin in becoming more sensitive to the sun. Moderation is the key, you do not have to avoid the sun altogether, just make sure to use sun screen and avoid to much sun.

Popping Pimples

As tempting as it may be popping pimples is not suggested at all. The manipulation of the skin during this process permits bacteria to penetrate the hair follicles even deeper than if left alone. This can lead to redness, scarring, swelling and more breakouts.