| |
| |
|
All about Acne |
|
|
|
How to Get Rid of Acne: A Step-By-Step Tutorial
To get rid of acne, you have to understand what causes it in the first place. All in all, the formation of acne pimples a pretty complicated process that even scientists and dermatologists don't fully understand. What is known though, can be summed up in a fairly simple manner - Acne bacteria (p. acnes) get trapped inside a pore (hair follicle). The bacteria then feed upon the sebum (oil) trapped inside the pore, and multiply, causing an infection. The body spots this infection, and tries to protect itself from it, leading to inflammation, which makes for a huge, red, inflamed "spot". Using this basic information, we can come up with three to-the-point ways to combat acne. 1.) Kill the bacteria. If there's no bacteria to cause an infection, then there will be no acne. 2.) Reduce the oil on the surface of the skin. Since oil can clog pores, and gives "fuel" for the bacteria to thrive off of, less oil means less acne. 3.) Stop the pore from getting clogged in the first place. If you can keep dead skin cells from clogging up a pore, you'll reduce the number of spots. With that said, we'll move on to the basic regimen. Step 1 - Washing your Face In this step, we will be trying to accomplish two goals - Removing excess oil from the surface of the skin, and killing the bacteria on the skin. To do this, we will need a gentle, non-comedogenic, non-irritating antibacterial cleanser. These are few and far between, and I have only found one cleanser that can do the job: Noxzema "Triple Clean" Cleanser. This is a gentle cleanser that contains an antibacterial ingredient called "triclosan". First of all, splash your face once or twice with warm water. Then, squeeze about a dime sized amount of the cleanser into your hands. Work into a rich lather, and then apply to the face, being extra careful to be gentle. There is no need to scrub or rub it hard, as this will NOT help with acne, it will only make it worse. With that said, very gently, using no pressure at all, and only the tips of your fingers, rub it onto your skin for one minute straight. This is to make sure that all of the bacteria are killed off. Then rinse the cleanser from your face, and gently pat the skin dry with a clean towel. Step 2 - Benzoyl Peroxide Benzoyl Peroxide is a very common over-the-counter acne treatment product. BP works by creating an oxygen rich environment within the skin, interrupting the metabolic process of the p. acnes bacteria, causing it to die off. It is also antiinflammatory, helping to reduce redness. Avoid anything that is 10% BP, unless it won't be staying on your skin for long. Go for 5%, or better yet, 2.5%. The two products I recommend are Neutrogena's "on-the-spot" acne treatment cream, and Stridex's BP pads. Both contain 2.5% benzoyl peroxide. No matter which product you choose, apply it gently to your skin after cleansing. Step 3 - Salicylic Acid Salicylic Acid is a beta hydroxy acid - meaning it is an exfoliant, and will help your skin to shed dead skin cells faster. This prevents the dead skin cells from forming a clog inside pores, trapping bacteria and leading to a pimple. The salicylic acid product I recommend is Clean & Clear's "advantage" acne spot treatment. It is a sort of gel, that contains 2% salicylic acid. It goes on smooth, is invisible once it has dried, and stays on all day to provide protection against acne. After the benzoyl peroxide has dried, gently apply the salicylic acid. I use about a quarter sized amount for my face, but if your skin isn't "used to it" yet, start with less. And that's it! You're now protecting your skin from three major causes of acne, and hopefully your skin will begin to clear up! This regimen is meant to be done twice per day - once in the morning, and again at night. Since both benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid are irritating to the skin at first, don't jump right in. Your skin has to get used to the products before you can use them to their fullest extent. Be patient, and at first, only apply benzoyl peroxide, and only apply it once per day. Then work up to twice per day. Once your skin is used to that, add in the salicylic acid slowly. Eventually, you should be using quite a bit of both products. Definitely remember to wear a sunscreen if you'll be venturing out into the sun. Ryan Bauer is a former acne sufferer from Springfield, MO. He runs an acne information website called Acne Elimination.
MORE RESOURCES:
Acne - Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Is There A Solution For Acne? Are there acne solutions that really work? If you are plagued by acne this may be a question that you have asked. There are acne solutions that really work and this article will give you some ideas of what you can try so you will be able to find some acne solutions that really work. Acne Program - Step 6 Juices You Should Be Drinking Drinking fruit juices help to bring vitamins and minerals quickly into your blood where they can supply what is necessary for acne free skin. Minerals quickly neutralize skin acids and bring the skin pH back to normal - slightly acidic. Acne Home Remedy Acne or pimples are caused by hormonal changes, wrong food habits and improper skin care. Acne remedies given below are based on herbs and natural ingredients that treat your acne like magic and help improve the skin disorders. Micro Dermabrasion - Hurting Skin to Heal it? Acne is an upsetting condition that can be sometimes very difficult to clear, its treatment usually involving the application to the skin of a multitude of cleansers and other potions in a long process of trial and error that can be extremely frustrating for the patient. Clear skin, when it is finally achieved, is thus a thing to be cherished by most former sufferers, and most certainly not something to be taken lightly. Microdermabrasion Acne Treatments - Harsh or Helpful? Many people think of microdermabrasion acne treatments as those supplied in salons by professional skincare specialists, but there are actually a multitude of microdermabrasion acne treatments available on your drugstore shelves. Many of the well-known and highly effective acne control products available today include beads or crystals that offer a microdermabrasion effect. Oily Skin Care Can Treat Acne-prone, Shiny, Oily Skin Oily skin is not only shiny, dull-colored, and coarse, it is also acne-prone, which means that a host of more serious problems can develop: blackheads, whiteheads, enlarged pores, redness, and potential scarring. If your skin is oily or you have combination skin, take control with oily skin care before the trouble escalates. Eczema and Acne Herbs For a Powerful Footbath In 1979, Maurice Messe'gue', the famous French herbalist, who practiced herbal footbaths for all kinds of ailments, wrote a book called "Health Secrets of Plants and Herbs." In this book he outlined his footbath treatment for Eczema. An Introduction to Acne Treatment Nearly 17 million people in the United States have acne, making it the most common skin disease. Acne affects almost all teenagers as well as a growing number of adults. Colon Cleaning May Help Acne Sufferers Many doctors and alternative medicine practitioners believe that one essential component of achieving overall bodily health is having a colon that is clean and free of the toxins that can build up over time. Many of these same doctors and alternative medicine practitioners believe that one of the benefits of colon cleansing is the improvement of acne conditions. Lasers - A Modern Cosmetic Treatment For Acne Blemishes The best way to protect your skin from acne-related scarring is to take preventative measures early on. But it is often true that people who suffer from acne are unable to prevent future scarring sufficiently. Help! I Need Acne Skin Care Products! If you suffer from acne, you may need acne skin care products. There are lots of acne skin care products on the market. Using Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5) as an Acne Treatment How Pantothenic Acid Works Many people have commented before that I recommend vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) a lot to acne sufferers. There happens to be a reason for that: It is what cleared my acne. The Truth About Acne Skin Care Let's face it, you are engaged in an ongoing battle when you are afflicted with acne. While acne treatments for a mild case of acne are usually successful, moderate acne is a greater problem. Proactive Skin Care Products - a Real Answer to a Difficult Problem Acne is often seen as something of a trifling problem, a few zits that complicate a teenagers already confusing life, but nothing that's going to kill them - and, of course, they'll grow out of it! Anyone who has ever suffered with acne however, whether as a teenager, or as one of the growing number of people who develop the skin condition during their adult years, will tell you that the problem is not quite so trifling. This is why so many of these sufferers have greeted the arrival to the market of Proactive skin care products with such enthusiasm. Acne Cure, How to Cure Acne Acne is a common skin condition that is not restricted to any age group or sex. Acne may appear for any length of time. Save Money On Acne Cleansers My first education on how to buy acne skin care products came from Johnson & Johnson and Noxema. They had their models wash their clear complexions with the perfect acne cleanser and then, once the suds vanished, the models were dancing around so happy not having to worry about zits. Don't Blame Bacteria for Causing Acne All life forms strategize to survive and procreate. Weeds, worms, birds, fungi and bacteria all work to sustain their own lives on this planet. Busting Acne Myths Requires Individualized Treatment and More Research If you have acne, you know the deal- everybody has a cream or suggestion to help you get clear skin. But how do you separate myth, medicine and folklore to find an acne treatment that works for you? That's what researcher Parker Magin set out to do in a study entitled, A systematic review of the evidence for 'myths and misconceptions' in acne management. Acne Rosacea - A Blush You Can Do Without What do former presidents Bill Clinton and Boris Yeltsin have in common? A condition called acne rosacea, a chronic inflammation of the blood vessels in the skin, which causes a ruddy complexion and small acne-like eruptions on the cheeks, forehead and nose.In men it can often cause the skin on the nose to thicken and swell, leading toa condition called rhinophyma. Acne Care for Adults Roughly 20% of acne cases being treated in the United States belong to adults. For many adults, what was thought of as a teenage affliction has continued well into their twenties and thirties.
|
| home | site map |
| tons-of-articles.com © 2006 |
