How to combat Acne Part 1
So you are suffering from acne? If you are experiencing acne for the first time or you get an occasional pimple here and there or this is an ongoing battle for you, fret not! Do you know 50 million people alone in the United States suffer from acne? These are staggering numbers. But of course that’s not going to be comforting for you. You got your own battles! Acne can cause physical and psychological problems such as it can give you permanent scarring which can lead to poor self-image, even depression or anxiety. Do not give up as today there are multiple options which can successfully fight acne.
How to take care of your skin:
Wash your face twice a day with mild and gentle cleanser. Do not use soap on the face as it can be very drying. You must wash your face after sweating as the sweat can make the acne worse. Be sure that the water is always lukewarm as the hot water removes the skin’s natural oils and as a result making the skin dry, itchy and tight. This action can lead to more oil being produced by the skin’s glands, hence exacerbating the acne further.
You may be tempted to scrub your face aggressively but unfortunately you cannot clean off acne. You would be adding fuel to the fire. This can aggravate your skin and it can get irritated.
Avoid using alcohol based products especially astringents. Do not use any over the counter acne products excessively as this can lead to peeling, flakiness, dryness, irritation and redness. You cannot rush the acne. It takes time for acne to heal so show restrain and patience.
Get rid of the habit of always touching your face. This can lead to breakouts. Do you know how many bacteria, germs and viruses are lurking on our fingertips? Go easy on feeling your face.
Wash hair often if it gets oily but do not use harsh shampoos as it could make hair oilier. Make sure if you have acne prone skin, you keep your hair off your face, sorry to inform you but it would be best if you do not sport bangs.
Use make up products carefully. The products should be labeled as oil free, non comedogenic and non acnegenic. You may feel like sharing your makeup with your friends, but try to avoid this habit as germs and bacteria can spread from each others’ hands and exacerbate the acne.
Try to stay out of the sun and there is a big NO to tanning beds. Do you know tanning beds can damage your skin? You are running a huge risk for a skin cancer called melanoma if you are using tanning beds.
Lastly, if you are a guy who is suffering from acne, be careful with your shaving habits. Do you know improper way of shaving can lead to irritation of the skin and cause acne! It is notoriously called shaving bumps! The problem lies with the modern day razors. Fortunately for you guys, there is a simple solution of switching to either an electric shaver or a safety razor.
If you follow these simple rules, you can be successful in reaching your goals of keeping your skin acne free. If all fails, it is time to make an appointment to see a dermatologist.
