4 More Acne Prevention & Treatment Tips

Hormones

Hormones or lack of, during later years and especially for women, can play a role in acne flare-ups and prevention. One recent study showed that about 50 percent of women have acne, referred to as hormonal acne, problems during the week before their menstruation. Treatment options can include topical retinoids, oral antibiotics and Benzoyl Peroxide for teen years. On into adult years, some acne aids include oral contraceptives or hormonal birth control pills and hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) for women, combined with systemic or topical treatments, prescription or over-the-counter products and medications, and antibiotics for both sexes.

Hygiene

A healthy skin regimen should include no harsh scrubbing or over-washing, because this can cause possible skin irritation or possible over production of oil to replace what’s washed off, clogging pores in the process. Products with gentle exfoliation ingredients are OK to use; i.e. not scratchy nut or fruit shell pieces that can tear skin. Skip alcohol products when possible; these can take off the top layer of your skin and cause your glands to product more oil, clogging pores in the process.

If you do spot acne-troubled areas, do NOT mess with them. Remember that these are already weeks in the making, and squeezing or picking blemishes can force the infected area to regress back inside, further troubling the region and possibly leave a scar. If necessary, seek help from a dermatologist for alternative treatments.

Products

Here are some of the more popular products on the market to help with the prevention and spreading of acne:

• Benzoyl Peroxide: Helps destroy the bacteria that cause acne.
    
• Proactiv® Solution: A dermatologist formulated 3-Step acne management system - combining prescription - grade ingredients that work together to heal and prevent acne or combination therapy / acne management system.
     
• Salicylic Acid: Helps to unclog pores and renew skin.
     
• Retinoids: Synthetic derivatives of Vitamin A that unclog pores and aid in sloughing.
     
• Antibiotics: They help destroy bacteria and decrease inflammation.
     
• Oral Contraceptives: Help with hormone level management.
     
• Anti-Androgens: These help with the reduction of sebum production and comedone formation, i.e. they inhibit the body's production of acne-causing hormones.
      
• Isotretinoin (Accutane): an effective acne control medication especially for the treatment of severe cystic or nodular acne.
    

Shaving

Shaving for both genders is actually an excellent way of exfoliating or removing dead skin to help with the prevention and spreading of acne instead of leaving the remains to clog pores. For some light acne cases already in process, shaving can help rid whiteheads and blackheads from the face. A word of caution: for areas with infection or high inflammatory activity (redness, sensitive, open acne, sores, etc.), do not shave. Or at the very least, use a shaving cream for sensitive skin.

For best results with regular shaving, follow these procedures:

First, steer away from shaving creams that are oily and choose one for sensitive skin if available. Then, moisten facial or other hair with warm water, apply the shaving cream and lather well. Shave with a sharp (not dull) blade. Note when shaving, use gentle swipes instead of heavy pressure ones that can irritate acne-prone areas. And go with the flow or “grain;” in other words, adapt to downward, lateral, angular or upward swipes, for a smoother shave with less nicks and irritating backward motions. Experiment with different razors, both electric and disposable, with single- double- or triple-edged (mach III) heads to see which works best for you. Try shaving in a warm shower for better results. For after shaving applications, try toning to stop bacteria dead in its tracks before it gets into your open follicles. Here are some suggestions: try antibiotic gel or lotion, witch hazel, Dalacin T, a mild alcohol-free toner, Benzoyl Peroxide in gel form and Salicylic Acid in a gel.

Shaving Tip: Electric razors may not shave as close to the skin; however, they help with the prevention of acne and other skin breakouts and flare-ups better.

Shaving Tip: If a non-electric razor is your choice, a single-edged blade is actually better. Why? Because double-edged and triple-edged blades grab hair follicles and pull them out from below the epidermis. And in the process, your skin “heals itself” by closing over these holes, making it difficult for future hair follicles to grow outward – creating inflammation in the tight areas.

For exercise, cosmetics, diet tips, go to the previous page.

For stress, go to the next page.

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