Acne formation is caused by the overproduction of oil in the skin and the accumulation of old skin cells inside the pore. In such conditions, skin bacteria normally found on the skin will proliferate, and trigger an inflammatory response. This will manifest as a reddened, often elevated nodule which we call as a pimple. A number of factors are thought to cause and exacerbate breakouts, namely, genes, stress, hormonal imbalance, and taking in foods with high glycemic index. The hormonal component of acne is the reason why most of us had breakouts during adolescence, and for women during pregnancy. In the following paragraphs are some skin care pointers to keep pimples at bay.
You should wash your face two times a day with lukewarm water and mild soap. You should not wash too much though, scrub your face, or use soaps that contain harsh ingredients as these can lead to irritation and even trigger your skin to generate more sebum. For women, never sleep with your makeup on. And when shopping around for cosmetic and hygiene products, look for those that are noncomedogenic.
Try not to touch your face too often as well, and avoid leaning your face on objects that collect sebum and skin residue. If you have acne, prevent yourself from popping them, no matter how tempting this may be, as this will only lead to further infection and scarring. If you woke up with a zit days prior to a big event, pay your skin doctor a visit. She can remove the acne and prevent scarring at the same time.
There are plenty of over-the-counter products for acne prevent. The American Academy of Dermatology suggests that you apply products which have the active ingredient benzoyl peroxide after you have washed your face to remove excess oil, and bacteria. Another ingredient, salicylic acid, can help dry up pimples. If you think these OTC products are ineffective, you should go to your dermatologist. Your dermatologist can prescribe gels or creams, or even start you on hormone or antibiotic therapy, if hormonal imbalance or infectious processes are suspected, respectively If you’re on prescription acne medication, you should be religious in taking them, and finish the entire course of treatment, unless there are any adverse reactions. If there are, talk to your dermatologist so appropriate modifications can be made. Depending on the severity of your acne, the dermatologist may also prescribe dermabrasion, laser therapy, or incision and drainage.
You should eat nutritious food as well, and try to avoid food that have high glycemic index as these can worsen acne. You also have to find ways to reduce your stress levels. Exercise regularly and get adequate amounts of sleep.
These are a few of the key methods to achieve “acne prevent“.