Caring For Acne Prone Skin - Things To Be Careful Of
March 12th, 2010

Acne Basics

Caring for acne prone skin is a challenge for anyone, but it can be done, and may be easier than you think. The first step is very logical. Good hygiene is key, but be careful not to overdo the washing. Wash your face and other affected areas once or twice a day. Don’t over do it because too much washing, or too vigorous a wash can actually cause damage to the skin, and make acne worse. Then, make sure that you are eating right, and getting proper nutrition. The body needs nutrition to have a healthy immune system and fight off infections, and acne produces small infections. For this reason, eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and lean meat. Limited amounts of dairy products, and cutting back on fatty foods and sugars can help also. And if you don’t believe you are getting enough vitamins, ask your doctor or pharmacist to recommend a good supplement. There is no substitute for good health, and if regular exercise is added to the mix, then the body becomes stronger and better able to fight the problem.

Next, forget all of the myths about acne. There is no known connection between chocolate, fried foods, sex, or stress. Hormones along with clogged pores and bacteria that create the blemishes cause acne. Also forget about popping pimples in the mirror. This can just drive the bacteria deeper into the skin and lead to a worse infection later.

If you are a man, be careful shaving. Shave around blemishes, even if you are leaving a little patch of beard. That is certainly better than walking around with bandages on your sore face. If you are a woman, remember that makeup causing acne is a myth, but clogging pores is not, so use a makeup that does not clog pores, and if possible one that contains a medication that kills bacteria and will help cut back on acne. Many men find that using an electric shaver during puberty is safer and does a better job.

In addition, find a good facial wash with an active ingredient that can kill bacteria and help you fight acne. There are many good ones on the market. Many over the counter remedies contain Benzoyl peroxide, which is the most popular over the counter acne fighter and for many people it works great. Benzoyl peroxide kills bacteria, and even better, the bacteria do not develop a resistance to this medication. It keeps on killing the germs again and again. This product can reduce inflammation of the skin and suppress excess oil production. Tea tree oil is a natural substance available in health food stores that works much the same way as Benzoyl peroxide. Many people believe that it is easier on the skin, so it might be worth a try. Salicylic acid is also a common treatment. It softens the skin and helps to unplug pores and discard dead skin cells. Used in conjunction with Benzoyl peroxide or tea tree oil, many people find it helps greatly. Also helpful is sulfur, which works much like Benzoyl peroxide. It also helps to kill bacteria and unclog pores. Add to the mix glycolic acid, an ingredient that is also used in anti aging products. It helps to get rid of dead skin cells and is believed to stimulate the production of new cells. This process may help unplug stopped up pores. Unplugging the pores will stop the spread of acne no matter what our skin type.

Doctors often prescribe antibiotics to help those who are prone to acne. Your doctor may believe that tetracycline can help, or he or she may prescribe a similar drug. These oral antibiotics are effective, but on the down side the bacteria they kill can develop a resistance. Topical antibiotics are also helpful and in the opinion of many healthcare professionals are better to use than oral antibiotics. They will kill the bacteria directly in the pores. Topical erythromycin works well. Also Benzaclin, Duac and Benzamycn work well. Antibiotics should not be overused, but for many people they do provide relief from the suffering of acne. If you have skin prone to acne, it takes extra care, but it can be overcome

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