Say 'adios' to acne !!

We all hate ACNE. There is no doubt about that. So I felt that it would be good if I researched a bit on the subject and give some tips that can help people in their everlasting fight against acne.

Some facts about acne:

• Acne is not caused by dirt that lies on the skin. Poor hygiene does NOT contribute to acne. The truth is that dead skin cell accumulation and clogging leads to an increase in "sebum," or an oily secretion of the body, that is used to cover the dead skin cells and bring them to the surface. This natural cleaning process leads to acne. Nonetheless, acne is genetic, whether your parents wish to believe so or not.

• Second, washing everyday does not mean that you have cured the situation. No matter how many times you wash, acne can continue to resurface. Also, scrubbing hard may actually exacerbate the situation. So what can be done?

• This next topic on the cause of acne is debated by doctors, scientists, and people like you and I. Some medical studies show that diet - including chocolate, pizza and french fries - rarely affects acne. While others show that they will make acne worse. But to be on the safe side its better to avoid rich food not only to avoid acne but also to be healthy.

Prevention is better than cure

Like everything else, it is always better to prevent acne than to try curing it. Below, I am listing the usual prevention techniques that can be used.

Avoid excessive sun exposure: Small amounts of sun exposure will initially improve acne. However, the benefit is temporary. Consistent sun bathing will increase plugging of the pores and increases the production of whiteheads and blackheads, which makes acne worse. It can also lead to premature aging and skin cancer. If your work type does not allow you to stay indoors, try to use a product that blocks both UVA and UVB rays and provides a SPF of at least 15.

Avoid over-washing acne prone areas:Limit washing to no more that two to three times per day. This goes for face, chest, neck, back, and where ever else you might break out. Washing more then three times per day can often irritate the skin, will offer no further benefit, and may lead to increased oil production. Products such as harsh facial scrubs with almond shell fragments or with high levels of isopropyl alcohol are not recommended because they tend to tear or irritate fragile skin, which can aggravate acne.

Avoid picking on your acne: I know it's tempting to pick on your pimples but hold your self back! Squeezing and picking blemishes can force bacteria deeper into the skin, causing even greater inflammation and infection. Remember that picking leads to scarring. Also, the rubbing of your hands on your skin can lead to irritation and more pimples.

Keep your skin free of oils and bacteria: Just by starting a few healthy habits, you can keep your skin free of grime and bacteria that can cause pimples. Wash your hands frequently. Avoid touching your face, including resting your chin in your hands as you think or read.

Avoid stress: Stress can raise levels of the hormone cortisone, which causes increased secretion of oil in your skin.

Lead a healthy lifestyle: Eat a balanced diet, get adequate sleep, exercise and drink plenty of water. These will make you feel good and keep your skin looking at its best.

Types of medications to treat acne

First of all, if you think you have severe inflammatory acne I would recommend going to a trained dermatologist. The solutions that I'm going to suggest are only for milder acne and are just samples.

You can use these medicines on your face, back, chest, neck, or where ever else you have acne. Here is a list of medicines that are in many of the acne products. I'll tell you what each one of the medicines does so you'll know what to look for in the products.

Benzoyl Peroxide - A key antibacterial agent used to fight acne. It also helps to dry up the skin to clear up pimples. Benzoyl Peroxide is most commonly found in face washes and creams to put on acne.

Salicylic Acid - Used for unblocking pores so the face can be cleaned. Most commonly found in face washes and body scrubs.

Sulfur - Extremely effective in absorbing excess oils and calming inflammation. Usually found in facemasks.

Kaolin - Also known as China Clay, it helps absorb excess oils from the skin. Usually found in facemasks.

Hydroquinone U.S.P. - Gently and gradually lightens dark areas of skin caused by acne. Found in skin lightning lotions and products.

Natural Acids - Help renew skin by removing dead skin cells and balancing skin tone. Found in skin lightning lotions and products.

Guggulesterones - They claim these will help acne by decreasing the number and size of blemishes.

Zinc-Zinc is also an acne treating supplement. Zinc has been known to rid the body of toxins, presumably those bacteria that cause acne.