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Articles
Steps to Managing Acne Prone Skin
The first logical step in caring for acne prone skin is
good hygiene. Keeping your skin clean and free from oil is
the first step to caring for your acne. Gentle washing with
a mild cleanser once or twice a day, but be careful not to
over do it. Excessive or too vigorous washing can actually
damage your skin or make your acne worse.
Your next step is insuring that you are getting proper nutrition
by eating a balanced diet. Your body needs a healthy immune
system to stave off infections. The inflammation that accompanies
acne is tiny infections within your skin. Having said that,
a balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean meats
and whole grains are essential to clear and healthy skin.
For men, being careful while shaving. Be careful not to
shave directly over your blemishes, as this can aggravate
your acne even further. The use of a electric shaver is probably
a better choice than a razor and certainly better thana face
full of band aids.
Women should be careful when using makeup. Select makeups
specifically designed for use for acne prone skin. Newer
cosmetics are designed not to clog pores and some even contain
bacteria fighting medications. Read labels and select cosmetics
that are "noncomedogenic" which means that it does
not clog pores.
Adding a good face wash designed to fight bacteria or remove
dead skin cells is also highly recommended. Many over the
counter face washes contain either benzoyl peroxide or salicylic
acid, which is used to combat acne. Both of these acne medications
approach acne in a different way.
Benzoyl peroxide acts as an antiseptic reducing the number
of surface bacteria and skin yeasts. One advantage of benzoyl
peroxide is that the bacteria does not develop resistance
to it. Used over and over again, benzoyl peroxide will continue
to kill acne bacteria. It will also reduce inflammation and
cut down on excess oil.
Salicylic acid on the other hand, slows down the shedding
of skin cells. Since acne is formed when the skin cells shed
too fast and clump together inside hair follicles, the use
of salicylic acid prevent the pores from getting clogged.
Its also helps to breakdown both blackheads and whiteheads.
Adding a visit to a dermatologist is a must for people with
acne prone skin. Your dermatologist will determine the type
of acne that you have and may prescribe oral antibiotics.
Tetracycline is most commonly prescribed antibiotic used
to treat acne, along with erythromycin and minocycline. Erythromycin
has the added benefit of reducing redness, while minocycline
has a side effect of pigmented deposits in the skin. As with
all antibiotics, the downside is that the bacteria they target
may develop a resistance after prolonged use.
Many dermatologists are in the opinion that topical antibiotics
are better suited for acne control as they kill the bacteria
directly in the pores. Topical erythromycin seems to work
well, and others include Benzaclin, and clindamycin. If used
as directed acne suffers should see results over time. Remember
that in dealing with acne prone skin, no acne treatment will
give you instant results. It is persistence and adhering
to your acne regime that will ultimately lead you to healthy,
clearer skin. |
