Acne

Acne is one of the many banes of adolescence, although for a small portion of the population, acne can persist into adulthood. It can come as a blanket of painful pimples draped across the shoulders, a cluster of angry red bumps on the face, an unsightly spot on the neck or anywhere the body produces a lot of oil.

An acne outbreak has no single cause, and if you've felt that your pimples pop up when you least want them to, you just may be right. Stress is a major trigger for acne, which means big events like proms and parties can bring out acne, no matter how good your hygiene. Unfortunately, proper skin care and diet is no guarantee you'll be safe from acne outbreaks. Below, some of the acne basics are described:

Acne is the result of oil-producing glands being unable to function smoothly, due to blockage. This blockage irritates the skin in the affected area, resulting in inflammation and even infection. Depending on the severity of your acne, you may need to see a doctor. But there are many things you can do at home that will encourage your acne to pack its bags and leave.

Throughout adolescence, males are more likely to experience acne than females, while these roles reverse, in much fewer numbers, when people reach adulthood. Differing levels of oil production partially account for the discrepancy, although hygiene habits likely play a powerful role.

As strong as your desire to eliminate your acne may be, don't tackle the problem head on. Many people have tried to physically remove their pimples through poking, scraping and scratching. Doing so can leave a painful wound and turn a temporary condition into a lifelong scar.

Along the same lines, while it may seem counter intuitive, clean your face gently, a vigorous scrub will only make things worse. Even if you're uncomfortable with your acne, go slowly and accept that the treatment may take some time. Habit changes can produce good results—as can medications—but whatever route you take, it will take some time to see improvement.

The first thing to do is to make sure you're keeping your skin clean. Use a good, non-irritating soap all over your body, as well as a specialized acne cleanser for your face and other problem areas.

Another good investment is a supply of special towels you can rotate use of through the week. Switch to a new towel every day, and wash your face at least once a day in addition to the shower. Make sure your hair is clean and free of excess oil. If you have oily hair, invest in the appropriate conditioner, and talk to your stylist about keeping your hair healthy.

Oil from your hair easily finds its way onto face, as does oil from your hands. Make a point of not touching your face. If your nose itches, use your forearm or the back of a fingernail to scratch it rather than your oily palm or finger.

Be aware of the skin products you use, and do not use any makeups that contain oil. Sunscreen is less avoidable, but you may want to limit your time in the sun until your condition improves—sun can aggravate acne.

Remember that dead skin and oil are the enemies, so clean your face regularly. In addition to your routine face washing, be sure to do it after removing makeup or finishing exercise. Both makeup and exercise leave residues on the skin that can block pores and worsen outbreaks.

Talk to a doctor about your acne. If the above healthy habits don't improve things in a couple months, you may want to try medication. Medication is generally effective but it can take some time to find the one that's right for you, so remember; be patient. The good news is acne doesn't last forever.

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