Acne Skin Care Methods
by Mark Woodcock
Acne can be a painful and embarrassing condition for a person to be afflicted
with. Often, a person who has acne cannot control its occurrence. But, by
following a few acne skin care practices, acne can be controlled and even gotten
rid of.
Acne is an inflammatory skin disease that affects millions of individuals. The
most universal type of acne is known as "common acne". Acne is caused when too
many oils are secreted from the glands and those oils mix with dead skin cells,
blocking the hair follicles. More oil secretions increase underneath the already
blocked follicles (or pores), and skin bacteria begin to grow rapidly. This
leads to red and irritated skin that most often appears as bumps on the skin's
surface. Any skin surface of the body is susceptible to acne, but it most
commonly (and heavily) appears on the face, chest, back, and upper arm region.
Acne commonly begins to occur during puberty due to an irregular response by
the body to regular levels of testosterone, a male hormone. Often, acne begins
to subside or disappear altogether by the mid 20's. However, some individuals do
suffer with it throughout adulthood. And some adults do not even see the onset
of acne until well into the adult years. This is known as adult onset acne.
Acne can leave scarring on the skin, as well as have a scarring effect on a
person's self-esteem, and even lead to depression. Because society can be so
unforgiving about appearances, there are various medically prescribed treatments
available, as well as acne skin care regimens that can be utilized in order to
minimize the symptoms of acne.
Different things cause acne for different sufferers. A few of the recognized
causes of acne include heredity, hormonal activity (puberty, menstruation,
pregnancy), stress, certain medications, and skin irritation. All of these
things have the potential to cause acne, as well as exacerbate it. There are a
few myths regarding acne. For instance we've all heard of a mom telling her
child not to eat too many greasy foods like French fries, or eat too many
sweets, because it will give him or her pimples. That is simply an old wives'
tale. Diet does not cause acne, and does not affect it. Also, poor hygiene has
no bearing on the occurrence of acne. Acne is not caused by dirt, and having
poor hygiene habits will not aggravate the condition.
There are many treatments for acne available, both through prescription, and
over the counter. There are antibiotics in the form of pills, as well as topical
creams that are designed to treat the condition. Exfoliation can be used as a
treatment to remove and prevent the build up of dead skin cells. And light
therapy is being used more and more to treat acne. It is important to consult a
dermatologist in order to determine the best course of treatment and learn the
best regimen of acne skin care to carry out.
Dealing with the occurrence of acne requires knowing how to properly care for
the skin. Acne skin care can help keep the problem from getting worse, and even
alleviate it. It is important to gently wash the skin at least twice a day with
a gentle skin cleanser. Do not scrub with a rough pad or use a rough soap. This
will make the acne problem worse. And always completely rinse the skin after
cleansing.
As part of an acne skin care routine, it is important to remember not to touch
the afflicted skin areas. Do not try to squeeze acne. An infection could occur,
compounding the problem, and scarring could result. Also, avoid the sun when
possible. Wear protective clothing to avoid tanning or burning. The skin will
age faster, and any fading effect of the acne is temporary and will become
visible again when the burn or tan fades.
When using cosmetics, take care to use oil-free products, and products that are
non-comedogenic (won't clog the pores). And for men who shave their faces, it is
important to shave very carefully. Shave with a light hand to avoid cutting or
nicking the blemishes. If these steps in acne skin care are taken, the pain and
embarrassment of the problem can be alleviated, and over time, eliminated
completely.
Mark is a director of 3 Internet Companies, is a published author and has
written many articles on a widespread number of topics. All his articles may be
reproduced provided that an active link is included to
http://www.acne-skin-care-treatment.info