There is plenty of information available about what you should do if you suffer from acne. Most people know that regular cleansing and spot treatment are good ideas. But equally important are the things you should not do- things that can make acne a lot worse than it needs to be. Here are four things that you should avoid doing when you have acne.
1. Overtreatment. When a large pimple crops up, it is very tempting to annihilate it with a generous dose of every chemical you can find in your medicine cabinet. However, this line of thinking always leads to mistakes. A small dab of spot treatment before bed can work wonders but more is not necessarily better. Too many harsh chemicals dry out the skin. This can lead to flaking and peeling, which is not only unattractive but it’s also hard to cover up with makeup. Even worse, it strips your skin of its natural oils which causes the skin to create even more oil. This can lead to further breakouts later on down the line.
2. Picking. You may have heard it before but it’s essential that you keep your hands off of your pimples. Even if you know better, it can be hard to actually resist touching it. Squeezing and picking almost always leads to further problems so do your best to keep your hands off. Squeezing can make the pore-clogging material spread out underneath your skin and lead to further clogs and breakouts. Picking can make the pimple take longer to heal and in many cases lead to pimple scars that last much longer than the pimple would have.
3. Makeup. Everyone wants to cover up their acne. It’s embarrassing to have bad skin and makeup can make it a lot less noticeable. But there is a way to do it and a way not to do it. First of all, never wear makeup at home if you have acne. Only apply a small amount to the troublesome spots before you leave the house. Always choose makeup that is oil free and non-comedogenic for this purpose. Use water-based formulas and be sure to wash off every trace when you get home. Makeup can lead to further breakouts so proceed with caution.
4. Stress. While most people say that their acne causes them a fair amount of anxiety, stress can make the situation a lot worse. Even though you would prefer not to have that pimple, once it’s there, you have to accept it. Stressing about it will only bring on new ones. Try to win the psychological game against acne. When you see a pimple crop up, just roll your eyes at it and start treating it right away. Remain calm and relaxed and have a confident attitude. Don’t get too upset or you’ll just end up with even more. This is one of the best acne tips you can follow. Most people don’t realize just how much stress can negatively affect their skin.
Acne is not something that comes if you indulge in an improper diet, or if you eat too much junk food or eat chocolate. To the contrary acne is a condition where bacteria is trapped under the skin by blocked pores. This bacteria grows and acne is the result.
Teenagers often get acne because during the teenage years, overactive hormones cause the glands on their skin to produce too much oil, which in turn blocks the pores. While it is a condition that predominantly affects teenagers, adults can also get acne at any stage of their life. Heredity plays an important role in determining whether or not a teen will get acne, and how badly they will get it.
If a person is genetically predisposed to getting acne, they will often end up getting a worse case than someone who comes down with it due to stress or because of hormonal changes in their body. These people may also have a more difficult time getting rid of it. As with any skin condition, acne can cause the sufferer a lot of embarrassment and discomfort, therefore it is important to try to effectively treat it.
While there are acne remedies and medical treatment that can help cure acne, it is also important for someone suffering with this condition to do all they can to prevent it. For example, taking simple steps such as washing hands and keeping hands away from your face, eating a proper diet that includes ample fresh fruits and vegetables, drinking sufficient water, engaging in regular exercise, and having sufficient sleep at night will all help lessen the severity of the acne. It is also a good idea to use a mild cleanser to regularly wash the face.
When an outbreak occurs, there are some over the counter acne creams that are often very effective in clearing it up. Benzoyl Peroxide creams, as well as creams that include Vitamin A and D, and zinc, are all helpful in the treatment of acne. If someone has a more severe case of acne they may need to see their medical practitioner, who will prescribe stronger creams, and in some cases may even prescribe a course of antibiotics.