Looking For Acne Skin Care Tips?

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If you are looking for acne skin care tips then it’s your lucky day!  We all know the feeling – you wake up one morning, look in the mirror and find Mount Kilimanjaro has erupted on your forehead (That will teach you for buying those cheap acne creams!).

The first instinct is to cover the pimple up with make up or a hat and hope no one looks too closely, but this can often produce the opposite effect and cause even more problems! Luckily, there are things you can do to help treat this type of skin problem and keep it from happening again. Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about acne.

What Is Acne?

Acne is defined as being an inflammatory disease characterized by pimples. Pimples (also known as zits) are small bumps commonly found on the face and other areas of the body such as the back, the neck, the chest area and the shoulders. These bumps are caused by tiny inflammations or lesions of the skin. Pimples actually begin very deep beneath the skin, in the sebaceous follicles, which are small holes that flow to the visible surface layer of the skin. These are commonly known as pores. The ‘bump’ is actually formed fourteen to twenty one days before it is noticeable on the surface, in the pores. Most commonly, they are the result of pores which have become clogged by dirt and other contaminates, or by the natural oil the body produces called sebum.

Sebum is normally used to lubricate skin and hair, but too much of this oil can cause a break out of pimples. The most common time for an outbreak of acne occurs during puberty. Because of the hormonal changes going on in the body, the skin adjusts by producing more sebum. This causes the sebum to clog more pores and cause more pimples. The most common place for pimples to occur is the forehead, but other common areas are the nose and sometimes the chin. This area is known as the t-zone and it is where pimples are most likely to occur. Normally, the skin’s natural renewal process causes the cells to shed and die off. This happens very gradually and new skin takes the place of the old skin. This process is called sloughing.

However, sloughing does not work the same for all people. Certain people slough off cells evenly, but others do not. If the sloughing occurs unevenly, the dead cells can stick together and form a small clot, clogging up the pore much like a cork closes a bottle. This traps bacteria and oil inside the follicle which starts to form a bump.

While the skin continues to produce oil normally, the oil is still trapped beneath the skin inside the clogged pore which causes irritation and bacteria to form. The body does have normal defence against infection and bacteria within its immune system. The immune system tries to defend itself against the bacteria and around fourteen to twenty one days later a visible pimple is formed as a result.

Why Is Acne Considered Bad?

Many people who struggle with acne find it embarrassing and stressful. Severe acne can cause cysts that may cause some scarring, which will remain for the rest of that person’s life, resulting in a “pockmarked” effect that can often lead to much emotional pain in the sufferer. Acne may also inhibit the social life as people do not want to go out with pimples on their face. Acne is not life threatening but the mental and emotional pain can be quite significant, especially during the years of puberty where acne is most common.

Acne Skin Care Tips

So how can I clear up breakouts and prevent them from occurring?  Follow these acne skin care tips:

• A common misconception is to wash your face as much as possible. This can actually dry out the sensitive skin on your face and cause it to become irritated. The average person should only wash their face with warm water twice daily, using a soap that has been specially formulated for people who struggle with acne. Do not scrub as this could lead to irritation as well. It is also recommended to use a non-prescription lotion after cleansing. The lotion should contain benzoyl peroxide as this will help lower the presence of bacteria and oil.
• As much as you might want to it’s important to resist the urge to pop those annoying zits. Doing so can suppress the oil in your pores down into the skin, which will often lead to a longer outbreak and could even scar your skin. If you need your skin to be clear for something such as a photograph or a wedding, and you see a pimple forming, you should see your dermatologist. They can often give you a treatment which lessens the risk of getting a scar or infection. Infected pimples are more likely to cause permanent and visible scarring on your skin.
• Do not touch ‘greasy’ things to your face, like your fingers, or other things that can collect residue like phones or applying make up before washing your face. This can cause the bacteria that cause pimples to spread and irritate pores. Try washing your hands before putting on any make up or creams, or before touching your face, if you can.
• Wearing sunglasses or glasses can sometimes cause the skin near your nose and eyes to break out, so be sure to keep them clean to help prevent this from happening.
• The face isn’t the only place acne can occur. If you have a problem with acne elsewhere, try wearing looser fitting clothing. If clothing is tight, the skin cannot breathe and may become irritated. Hats, scarves and hair bands can cause oil and dirt to collect as well.
• Take your makeup off before you going to bed. Try to choose makeup that is non-”comedogenic” or “acnegenic”. Any make up that looks different or smells different than when you purchased it should be thrown away.
• Another helpful hint is to keep your hair clean and away from your face. Greasy hair can cause dirt or oil to clog pores and cause breakouts or pimples.
• Always wear sunscreen! Even if the tan temporarily covers up acne it can sometimes cause more sebum to be produced which will only make the acne worse.
• Do not stop your acne regimen just because the pimples themselves are gone. As we said before, pimples start forming fourteen to twenty one days before they are even visible, deep below the skin. Make sure you keep washing your face twice daily, even where there is not a break out.

If you have tried all of these skin care for acne tips but are still worried about, or suffering from acne, you should speak with a dermatologist. Dermatologists often have an array of treatments that can help clear acne and its scars and help prevent acne from occurring. They can also help find the best treatment and give many useful hints for handling acne. Often, spas or salons have skin specialists (also known as estheticians) who offer skin treatments and advice; however, dermatologists are the best option when seeking help regarding the treatment of severe acne scars.

Persistent acne sometimes requires the use of a dermal or oral antibiotic. These antibiotic cosmetics work by suppressing the growth of bacteria, which helps to reduce reoccurring acne. You can talk to your regular doctor about this or find a dermatologist and ask them what the best course of action would be.

When considering acne treatments the most important thing to remember is to make sure the information you are getting is sound and is coming from a responsible source. This way, you know you are getting good information and how to respond to different outbreaks. Remember, our acne skin care tips can only help you so much, its always advised that you seek further advice with your dermatologist as they can also lead you to different products (Such as acnezine or proactive) that help fight acne. These systems often treat the pimples on top of the skin as well as the ones forming underneath to help keep skin from breaking out.