Can I prevent Acne ????
Contrary to what you may have heard, acne is not caused by dirty skin,
eating chocolate, or drinking lots of soda. Acne is caused by overactive
oil glands in the skin and an accumulation of oil, dead skin cells, and
bacteria, which leads to inflammation in pores. Oil glands become
stimulated when hormones become active during puberty, which is why
people are likely to get acne in their teens. Because the tendency to
develop acne is partly genetic, if other people in your family had (or
have) acne, you may be more likely to develop it too.
Although there is no surefire way to prevent acne, there are several
ways to help reduce the number and severity of your breakouts.
Washing your skin is essential (it helps remove excess surface oils and
dead skin cells that can clog your pores), but washing too much can
actually cause damage by overdrying your skin or irritating existing
acne. Remember to wash after exercising because sweat can clog your
pores and make your acne worse. If you work around greasy food or oil
or if you’ve been sweating from heat or because you’ve been working
hard, wash your face and other acne-prone areas as soon as possible.
If you use skin products, such as lotions or makeup, look for ones that
are noncomedogenic or nonacnegenic, which means that they don’t clog
pores.
If you can’t live without your hair spray or styling gel, be sure to keep
them away from your face as much as possible. Many hair products
contain oils that can make acne worse.
If you get acne on areas such as your chest or back, avoid wearing tight
clothes, which can rub and cause irritation. Treatments
For some people, over-the-counter (OTC) products work to help clear
up acne. It may take some time to find one that works best for you —
some may not do the trick and others may cause irritation. OTC acne
products come in different strengths. The most popular OTC acne-
fighting ingredient is benzoyl peroxide. Another ingredient, salicylic acid,
can help to dry up pimples.
If you find over-the-counter products aren’t working for you, it’s best to
seek a doctor’s advice. A doctor can prescribe special gels or creams,
pills, or a combination of both. It may feel a bit awkward or
embarrassing to talk about your acne with someone, especially a
stranger, but your doctor is trained to help get your skin looking its best.
What about pimples you already have? It’s tempting, but popping or
squeezing a pimple usually won’t get rid of the problem. Squeezing can
actually push infected material and pus further into the skin , which can
lead to more swelling and redness (not what you want before a big
date!), and even scarring, which can be permanent.
If you are taking a prescription acne medication, finish your entire
prescription even if your skin clears up, unless your dermatologist says
you can stop. If you stop too early, there’s a chance your skin could
break out all over again.
Eating nutritious foods can help keep you healthy of course, and your
skin will benefit from getting enough vitamins and minerals. But the
bottom line is that you don’t need to be obsessive about what you eat or
how often you wash your face to control acne. If you don’t find an OTC
product that works for you, talk to your doctor or a dermatologist for
some advice on living through the acne years.