How to deal with Acne

“Puberty Did Them Well”, a popular phrase on Twitter that best describes the A-list American actresses and female stars who have maintained their perfect pores and clear smooth skin until adulthood. Before you burn with envy and deem yourself a zit factory with peanut coated skin, you have to understand that pimples and acne are normal in your teenage; adolescence and early adulthood stages.

scienceofhealing.blogspot.com

According to health writer Tom Scheve our bodies produce high levels of sex hormones such as androgen and testosterone. These hormones prompt glands in the skin that promote higher levels oil called sebum that clogs up and results in acne. Acne is a disorder that causes outbreaks of skin lesions known to us as pimples, (health.howstuffworks.com).

Why make-up isn’t always the best solution to deal with acne

Make-up doesn’t always have serious negative effects but could cause a few skin allergy reactions. These reactions can come in two types:

1.    Irritant contact dermatitis: an itching or burning reaction to a product irritating the skin

2.    Allergic contact dermatitis: an allergy to specific ingredients that results in swelling, itching or blisters.

Both types are usually caused by fragrances or preservatives in make-up and other skin products.  Acccording to beauty writer, Sarah Kirkpatric , make-up isn’t a great solution to treat or cover-up acne because there are certain oils that can worsen acne. This type of acne is called acne cosmetic which is characaterised by blocked pores, reddened bumps on chin, cheeks and forehead.(blog.zenmed.com)

Dermatologists are able to assist with preventing and treating acne depending on the kind of acne a patient is diagnosed with.

Here are some three basic tips to get rid of acne (health.howstuffworks.com)

·        Wash your face twice a day: washing your face prevents outbreaks and removes all the grease and grime.

·        Take a look at your make-up: buy oil free make-up or buy non-comedogenic make-up (make-up with ingredients that do not clog up your pores). Make sure you wash off your make-up at the end of your day. Do not go to sleep with make- up on your face

·        Buy Benzoyl Peroxide: ask a dermatologist or chemist for a proper prescription. Mostly found in a cream or gel that is applied to broken-out portions of the face. Benzoyl peroxide kills the P. acnes bacteria that causes inflammation in a blocked pore.

Keywords

Acne

Seblum; oil

Clogged pores

Acne cosmetic

References

Kirkpatrick, S. 2014.  Do You Have Acne Cosmetica?. [online] Available at: blog.zemed/do-you-have-acne-cosmetica/ (Date Accessed: 18 August 2014)

Scheve, T. n.d. 15 Ways To Get Rid of Acne. [online]. Available at: health.howstuffworks.com/skin-care-/problems/treating/15-ways-to-get-rid-of-acne.htm.(Date 20 August 2014)

Womens Health.n.d. [online]. Available at:womenshealth.gov/publications/fact-sheet/acne.pdf. (Date Accessed: 20 August 2014)