Acne is a skin condition that occurs when your hair follicles become clogged with oil and dead skin cells. It causes whiteheads, blackheads or pimples. Acne is most common in teens, although it affects people of all ages, but the most common form occurs during adolescence when young adults experience a dramatic increase in hormone levels. The result is often a raised tissue area that contains swelling, redness, and pus. These are also known in common parlance as "acne",
There are several types of acne:
Comedonal acne (blackheads and similar bumps). Look for products that contain retinoids, such as adapalene gel (Differin).
Mild acne. Topical benzoyl peroxide can help fight mild acne, either by itself or together with a topical retinoid.
Inflammatory acne. Topical dapsone 5 percent gel is recommended, especially in adult women.
Acne with scars. Azelaic acid preparations can help reduce the risk of acne and acne scarring.
Acne can occur anywhere on the face, neck, back or chest, and in severe cases can lead to social isolation, or emotional and physical scarring. Although mild acne cannot be completely prevented, there are three steps you can take to reduce its effects.
Cleanse your skin gently. Every day, wash your skin with lukewarm water. Wash your face only twice a day so that the oil does not accumulate in your face. Never touch your skin, or rub your face too hard. Doing so can worsen your acne, and avoid using skin and hair care products that contain excess oil. Instead, use water-based skin care soaps that gently cleanse your skin, such as pears oil clear and glow or dove.
Apply topical ointments: According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), several topical treatments can help fight acne. But for this, it is very important for you to know what type of acne you have. Only then will you be able to choose a good topical ointment for yourself.
Apply a nonprescription topical ointment to the problematic areas that you use at least once a day, but no more than three times a day. One of the best products is Clearasil because it contains both salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide. Benzoyl peroxide works to unclog pores, while salicylic acid helps to remove blemishes caused by peeling off the top layer of skin. Products that contain tea tree oil (commonly found in gels, creams and lotions) or Alpha-hydroxy acids are also desirable. However, remember that if you use too much of a product, your acne may get worse. So limit your applications to less than three times per day unless otherwise directed by a doctor.
Avoid the following: Be sure to avoid the following actions that can cause acne flare-ups: overexposure to the sun, wearing tight-fitting items that rub against the skin, excess stress, frequent touching of the face, working with oils or use of harsh chemicals, excessive sweating, braiding your face, or hair care products that contain oils. Also, avoid squeezing the pimples. Squeezing pimples can lead to infection.
While mild acne bothers you, eventually it goes away. . Most people will outgrow acne in their early twenties, so there is reason to be optimistic. Make each of the above steps a part of your routine, and you will be able to control your acne. However, people with more severe cases of acne should consult a dermatologist.
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