How to Deal With Acne


by Sharon Bell - Date: 2008-05-03 - Word Count: 647 Share This!

Although it is a transitory condition, an attack of acne can be so distressing and leave deep psychological scars on a person. Desperate to rid themselves of this problem, people with acne may try to squeeze or pick on pimples without realizing that this will only make things worse.

Despite the testimonials of seemingly pimple-free teenagers endorsing certain products, acne will flare up from time top time in spite of good treatment. Nor can it be prevented.

Nothing can stop the effects of the body's hormonal changes but there are many ways to control the condition. The following suggestions were made by Kurt Butler and Dr. Lynn Rayner of the John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii in The Best Medicine.

Keep your face clean with two or three gentle washings a day using mild soap and warm water. Vigorous scrubbing can aggravate acne by injuring and plugging the drainage canals of the sebaceous glands. Soaking the face with a hot clean washcloth or steaming it with a pot of boiling water before washing may help.

"Wash your face and other affected areas as often as needed to maintain a feeling of cleanliness, but not to the point where your skin becomes tight or extremely flaky. Use a soap or cleanser recommended by your doctor," according to Upjohn researchers.

Don't squeeze comedos. This can injure the skin and cause blemishes and scars. Sometimes mechanical comedo extractors are effective but many brands are not. An experienced physician or nurse can advise on their selection and use, but in most cases they are not necessary. Pimples that have come to a head can be gently pressed after a hot compress.

"Acne heals better without damage to the skin. If you must squeeze pimples, blackheads or whiteheads, wash your hands first, cleanse the area with alcohol before and after squeezing," said Dr. H. Winter Griffith, a fellow of the American Academy of Family Practice.

Keep oily hair away from acne-prone skin. Cutting or restyling may be necessary. Greasy hair itself does not cause or aggravate acne, but the oil can be transferred to the face.

"Shampoo hair at least twice a week. Don't let hair hang over the face even at night. Hair spreads oil and bacteria. Use dandruff shampoo to treat or prevent dandruff," Griffith added.

Avoid touching the affected areas. Habitual touching, rubbing, or resting the face on the hands can aggravate acne.

Avoid oily cosmetics, lotions, creams, and hair pro¬ducts, They can promote plugging of the openings. It has been estimated that half of all cosmetics are capable of provoking acne. Avoid harsh shampoos and keep all hair products away from the face.

"Young women have often been brainwashed by cosmetic salespeople that soap is somehow dangerous and instead cleansers, toners and moisturizers are necessary for skin care. Since there is evidence that some cosmetics actually promote acne, this routine should be discouraged if possible. Light cosmetic disguise is acceptable. Sometimes patients will insist their skin dries too much with soap, but this is a temporary finding and the sebum (oil) recovers shortly after; it is certainly no reason to avoid soap and water," said Dr. John M. Wishart of the Auckland Hospital's Department of Dermatology in New Zealand.

Many drugs can cause and aggravate acne including the cortisone group, oral contraceptives (especially those with progesterone), dilantin, and amphetamines.

"Certain birth control pills make acne worse. These sub¬stances may act like male sex hormones and actually aggravate the acne in susceptible individuals," said Dr. Ronald M. Reisner, professor of dermatology at the University of California School of Ledicine in Los Angeles, if these drugs contribute to your acne problem, try to avoid them if possible. (Next: Choosing a dermatologist.)

For beautiful skin, use Lumnaderm, a whitening cream that eliminates freckles, unsightly age spots, sun spots, blemishes and hyperpigmentation. When used as directed, Lumnaderm will balance uneven skin tones and illuminate your skin. For more information, visit http://www.lumnaderm.com.


Related Tags: acne, freckles, lumnaderm

Sharon Bell is an avid health and fitness enthusiast and published author. Many of her insightful articles can be found at the premier online news magazine http://www.HealthLinesNews.com.

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