Acne (Acne Vulgaris), as I’m sure you know, is a skin condition that causes pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads, and practically everyone experiences it at one time or another in their lifetime.
These blemishes are the result of clogged pores, which in turn are the result of the overproduction of an oily substance called Sebum. When the Sebaceous glands in our skin become enlarged they produce a large quantity of Sebum. The oily goo mixes with dead skin cells and clogs the pore. Bacteria develops and voila!, a pimple is born.
Unfortunately, it appears that genetics play a large role in acne. Many with severe acne have it in their genes. But there are other factors as well. Hormones, diet and even high stress can excacerbate of acne. The great hormonal shifts that occur during the teen years is a major factor in teenage acne.
The common misconception that oily or greasy foods cause, and even salt causes is actually not true. In fact it has been shown that a high glycemic diet can bring on outbreaks of acne, so go ahead and have those fries, but skip the pizza. Many people associate the consumption of chocolate with breakouts, but that is not true either.
So how can we deal with it? To begin with it is important to keep your skin clean, hydrated and exfoliated. Wash daily with an acne cleanser to keep your pores clear of dirt and control the fatty Sebum. There are many good products on the market these days.
There are many good topical treatments for when acne rears its ugly head. An ointment with benzoyl peroxide is very and can cure the pimple in a few days. Treating the pimple with tea tree oil is also very effective.
There are a lot of excellent home remedies to cure pimples. Aspirin, crushed and mixed with water to form a paste, makes an excellent topical treatment for acne. Natural remedies include a paste of cinnamon and honey, and a paste made from fenugreek and water.
It is very important that you treat your pimples with care to reduce the chance of scarring. Bad acne scars can last a very long time, some last forever. Less serious acne scars can be reduced by various means, including dermabrasion, and chemical peeling, or with some home remedies like aloe vera lotion, olive oil, or a natural face mask.
Very severe acne should be treated by a dermatologist. Antibiotics can be prescribed, and certain topical treatments are prescription only. A Dermatologist will also have special equipment to help treat your acne effectively.
We are a long way from finding a way to cure pimples, but there are many things you can do to prevent the occurrence of acne, and to treat acne when it rears its ugly head.
Both a sufferer and an authority on acne, Ray Green looks forward to the day that medical science will find a way to cure pimples forever.
For more info, see the Cure Pimples blog.
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