Your Health Online | Acne Prevention and Remedies

Pimples, blackhead, whitehead, zits, spots, blemishes, acne. This is the bane of all teenagers the world over.

When you see one break out, especially the kind that looks really, really bloated and full of pus, you just can't help yourself and you try so hard to control yourself from popping the ugly thing. I tell you, don't do it.

Instead of risking an infection, try these remedies and it might just help you with your facial problem.

Acne happens usually when hair follicles in our faces, necks, chests, backs and even upper arms get blocked with dead skin cells and sebum (oil produced by the skin). Sometimes it breaks out into lesions commonly called pimples and zits.

It is common during puberty among adolescents and may continue on in adulthood, though it may decrease over time. It not only blemishes the skin and cause temporary and permanent scarring, it can also have some psychological effects like depression.

While there is no exact cause for acne, there are factors that could affect the aggravation of the condition.

? heredity and genetics
? hormonal activity (menstruation, pregnancy, puberty)
? skin irritation
? stress
? hyperactive sebaceous glands
? accumulation of dead skin cells leading to clogged pores
? bacteria
? use of anabolic steroids
? medications containing lithium, barbiturates and androgen
? exposure to certain chemicals
? exposure to halogens
? chronic use of amphetamines and other drugs

There is a number of prescription and over-the-counter medications for acne. They range from topical applications to oral medications and even hormonal treatments.

The improvements may be brought about by normalizing the shedding of dead skin cells to prevent blockage, killing bacteria on the skin, anti-inflammatory effects, or even hormonal manipulations.

The effectivity of these products differ from one person to another. Some may even aggravate acne through skin irritation.

But since acne is basically blocked pores, keeping our faces clean may help in alleviating the severity or at least lessen the areas affected. One of the more simple "regimen" of acne prevention and management involves:

1. washing the face with a mild facial cleanser -- ever use soap; it can cause the skin to be dry and it adds to the irritation. We only want to clear up the pores to make way for better skin penetration of benzoyl peroxide

2. applying benzoyl peroxide -- an anti-bacterial that oxygenates skin. This causes the skin to dry and to flake. Since there is a potential for irritation, do make sure that you use the 2.5% solution. It is as effective as the 5% and 10% solutions but is not as irritating. Use a liberal amount of benzoyl peroxide for better skin penetration.


3. moisturizing -- we need to put this on to counteract the drying effect of benzoyl peroxide, and so we won't be walking around tomorrow with our face peeling like crazy.

I say management because as of yet, there is no cure for acne, and these steps must be done in a regular fashion to avoid breakouts or at least keep them at a minimum. Make it a twice-a-day daily routine for the best results.

Also, if you're starting this routine for the first time, try putting on a small amount of the anti-bacterial on your face, gradually increasing it in the weeks following so as to get your face used to the regimen.

Remember that there is no fool proof solution against acne. We just have to make the effort to see any difference. Also, these are mere suggestions.

It is still best to consult your dermatologist for the best way to deal with your acne problem. Stay beautiful.

Warren Tattersall has been a full time nutritional consultant for over a decade and works with people all over the work to help them improve their health, increase their personal energy levels and to use supplements to assist with diet related health issues.

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To have a free personal consultation with him to learn how incorporating nutritional supplements may improve your health concerns just visit ?The Health Success Site? and download the free health report available there, or email warren@TheHealthSuccessSite.com to request a personal one-on-one consultation by email or phone.