Getting Acne Under Control
You can take control of acne. It may not be as simple as dropping by the drugstore for lotion or a pill. But with the right plan, including a medicated treatment, and a few other steps, acne can be controlled.
Choosing the right treatment is very important to your success against acne. Right means right for you. Skin type has to be considered in choosing your product.
For oily skin choose a gel based product or non-moisturizing lotion. Even an alcohol solution may be acceptable for very oily skin. Remember to stay away from moisturizing products if your skin is oily.
People with dry skin are better off using ointments. Moisturizing products can be helpful in alleviating acne in people with dry skin.
Most people have combination skin so choose your product according to what type of skin is being affected. If an area that's typically dry is affected use a moisturizing cream, if an oily area is affected use a gel.
For people with sensitive skin a product containing a lower dose of active ingredients is recommended. Choosing a product that's too strong may over dry the skin stimulating oil production and thereby worsen the problem rather than alleviating it.
Professional advice is always helpful. Even while a dermatologist isn't always necessary, talking with your pharmacist is a good idea. Ask her if a particular product is right for your skin type and what any possible side effects may be.
Proper Washing:
Wash your face twice a day. Use a mild, oil free, fragrance free cleanser. Preferably a non-detergent cleanser labeled pH balanced. For oily skin use a cleanser that contains benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. Massage the cleanser gently into your skin using your hands. Washcloths and puffs can cause irritation and may lead to scarring. Using toner may dry out your skin. So unless your face is very oily toner should be avoided.
Apply your treatment before putting on makeup. Cover your entire face. If there's any acne at all on your neck cover your entire neck too. Not just the affected areas. Before going out use an oil free sunscreen, spf36 or higher, on your entire face and neck. Sometimes the active ingredients in acne treatments can have an adverse reaction to the sun. Sunscreen will help prevent this reaction.
Use makeup to conceal any out breaks that do occur. With a small makeup brush dab concealer or foundation cream, the exact shade of your skin, directly onto the blemish. Carefully whip away any excess cream from around the blemish and apply a second coat if necessary. Start over if the makeup gets cakey. Gently brush powder, also the exact shade of your skin, on top of the concealer. Put on the rest of your makeup and you're ready to go.
Dietary Considerations:
Recent tests have shown that people with diets high in saturated fats are more prone to acne than those who eat less or no saturated fats. Foods high in saturated fat should be cut out of the diet. That includes red meat, chips, frozen meals, cake mixes and more.
Sugar is another dietary culprit responsible for many out breaks, and nights spent home alone. Cutting sugar from your diet should help your skin.
Avoid alcohol, tobacco. and iodine which is found in large quantities in salt.
Eating a diet high in fresh, raw, vegetables is highly recommended for acne sufferers. Also be sure to get lots of fiber and your daily supply of zinc.
Tips and Tricks:
If you have plans and there's a blemish in the way go to your Dr's office and get a Cortisone injection the day before your event. This will temporarily reduce the swelling.
If you can't make it to your Dr's office pick up a topical Cortisone cream from the drugstore.
A hemroid cream, like preparations H, can also be effective for temporary relief of swelling.
Products containing benzoyl peroxide, glycolic acid, or salicylic acid are generally considered the most effective over-the-counter medications available.
Never pop, squeeze or pick acne. This makes the out breaks last longer and promotes scarring.
Avoid abrasive soap, facial scrub, astringent, toner, and masks. These tend to irritate the skin. Irritated skin is more likely to breakout.
Continue treatment even after your skin clears. To keep skin blemish free.
Gently cleanse skin after sweating. Sweating, especially under a hat or helmet, can aggravate acne-prone skin.
Use only oil-free skincare and hair care products. Makeup, hair gel, and other products used by people with acne-prone skin should not contain oil.
Do not scrub your skin clean. Scrubbing actually irritates acne-prone skin. Irritating the skin generally leads to breakouts.
Use oil free, hypoallergenic makeup.
Give your treatment plan time to work. Four to eight weeks may be necessary. If eight weeks goes by and you're still not seeing the results you want, consult a Dermatologist.