Saturday, November 1, 2008

Some Truths About Acne

By Dave Owen

The fact that the cause of acne is that our skin pores become blocked by body oils and dead skin is well know. It is some of the other things that we have learned that are less than true.

In the first place, we have been told that eating greasy food like pizza, potato chips and French fries will cause skin problems, not true. And, you will not have problems if you eat chocolate or consume carbonated drinks. And, as for you make-up, as long as it is oil free, it is not a problem.

I am sorry to tell you that if your parents had acne as teens, you will probably do the same. If this happens, most people have the problem disappear by the time they are out of their teens. Here are some things that you can do to reduce the acne problem. Clean your face with a mild soap and warm water in the morning and before going to bed. I would suggest that you not use a washcloth as it may be too rough. If you use your hands you will be much kinder to your skin.

If you put anything on your face (to include make-up, moisturizer, and sunscreen) has to be oil free. It is very important to take off your makeup at night before bed. Any time you begin to sweat due to exertion, wash your face. It is best to keep your hair off of your face. This is because your hair has many oils that you do not want to be rubbed onto your face. Also, make sure to wash your hair on a regular basis to keep the oils from getting the oils on your face.

If you need the use of hair care items like gels or spray to control your hair, it is best to keep it off of your face. These products can block your skin pores. Also, if you wear hats or caps, be careful that they do not help the growth of acne on the hairline.

Quite often we forget to keep out hands off of our face. If you touch your face a lot, you may be putting the dirt and oil from your hands to your skin. You also do not need to be picking, touching, squeezing or popping your pimples. This kind of attention can make them worse.

You can find many different acne medications at your local drug store. There are many to choose from and you may find that what works for your best friend may do nothing for you. The best have benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid in them which help to dry out the skin and shrink the offending pimples. Make sure you follow the directions carefully. Do not overuse the products or you can damage your skin.

If you don't find something that works over-the-counter, arrange to visit your dermatologist who will be able to prescribe something stronger. - 15995

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