Now what are pimples? What is Acne? Pimples are that red bumps with white pus at the tips. Pimples occur when oil glands are over active and clogs the pores. Pimples can appear anywhere on the body. It commonly appears on face, neck, chest and shoulders. Pimples are medically termed as acne vulgaris. They are ugly to look at and It damages the skin and may cause permanent scars if mistreated.
In younger persons, acne vulgaris is more common and more severe in males. It does not always clear spontaneously when maturity is reached. Twelve percent of women and 3% of men over age 25 have acne vulgaris. This rate does not decrease until the fourth or fifth decade of life. The skin lesions parallel sebaceous activity.
Hyperandrogenism (excess of male harmones) may be a cause of acne in women and may or may not be accompanied by hirsutism, irregular menses, or signs of virilism. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common identifiable cause. Acne may be exacerbated or caused by cosmetic creams or oils.
Dear readers, there are many self-care remedies which you must inhibit in your daily routine to remove acne. It will curb the production of acne and acne scars further and also clear previous marks :
Face wash: Use a mild acne soap or clinical face wash to remove excess oil and dirt. Invest in a good face wash and use it at least twice a day. Avoid using consumer products as it makes false promises. Opt for a clinical solution available over the counter.
Makeup : Use water based makeup or labeled “noncomedogenic” (not pore-clogging). Avoid using oil based makeup on your skin.
Try and use less makeup as possible.
Don’t squeeze it! : Never squeeze your pimples. It spreads bacteria and excess oil to other pores cussing further infection.
Don’t touch! : Avoid touching your face often. It infects your face with germs. Touching your face with fingers can cause infection and further worsening skin conditions.
Treat your dandruff: Shampoo your hair often. Keep your scalp dandruff free. As dandruff has a chance to clog pores. Try tie hair behind. Don’t keep them falling on your face if you have acne problems.
Diet—A low glycemic diet (low in sugar content) has been associated with improvement and lower incidence of acne. This improvement was associated with a reduction in insulin resistance. Use natural sugar supplements. Avoid eating oily foods in abundance too. Have a high fibre diet as it keeps your gut clean. A clean stomach ensures healthy skin ! As the old-age says.
If all this doesn’t help much, consult a skin doctor to remove acne cysts and scars. You can opt for medications available at local pharmacy. Most of these medications contain ingredients that can help kill bacteria or reduce oil on your skin thereby decreasing acne marks and scars. These include:
- Benzoyl peroxide. It dries out pimples and prevents new ones forming. Benzoyl peroxide is used in acne face washes and soaps. Consult a doctor for which clinical soap to use.
- Salicylic acid is often used in soaps and acne washes. It helps prevent pores from getting plugged. Choose a soap which has salicylic acid.
- Sulphur is a natural drying agent. It is commonly found in cleansing soap and face wash etc. Check the ingredients and buy one over the counter.
If you still see recurring acne and lesion symptoms, consult a medical solution to this problem.
The doctor will give you oral medications or prescripted topical acne creams to use on daily basis depending on the skin condition and severity.
Education on proper use of medications and cosmetics is paramount. Because lesions take 4–6 weeks to improve, clinical improvement should be measured by the number of new lesions forming after 6–8 weeks of therapy. Additional time (3–4 months) will be required to see improvement on the back and chest, as these areas are slowest to respond. Avoid topical exposure to oils, cocoa butter (theobroma oil), and greases in cosmetics, including hair products. Scarring may occur with or without the patient manipulating the lesions. It is essential that the patient be educated in a supportive way about this complication. Anxiety and depression are common in patients with excoriated acne. Acne causes emotional distress. But thankfully it is treatable. With few changes in lifestyle and cautioun, you can avoid acne and inflammation. It starts to clear up in 6-8 weeks. Permanent acne scars can also be treated as there are advanced skin therapy available. Consult a dermatologist for best treatment. Do not trust local salon or centres who promise cosmetic treatments. Such treatments might cause permanent skin damage and scarring. Happy pimple free readers, Ciao !
