Jan 31, 2002 09:09 PM
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(Updated Jan 31, 2002 09:22 PM)
Before using uneccessary products for your acne, you should find out first what is causing the breakout. Acne may be the scourge of the adolescent years, but it can follow some people into middle age and beyond. Women can have flare ups at 25 or 35 years old and even older. In fact, my mother still breaks out and she is 65.
Acne is really a catchall term for a variety of symptoms such as pimples, whiteheads, and blackheads. It's a condition where the pores of the skin become clogged and the person gets inflamed and noninflamed lesions. So what's the cause of all the clogging?
Chocolate doesn't cause acne, dirty hair or skin doesn't cause it. Sex, either too much of it or a lack of it, doesn't cause it either(and yes some people think this).
So what does? Heredity-at least for the most part. It is an inherited defect of your pores. If both of your parents had acne, three out of four of your brothers and sisters will get it to. But if your sister is pimple free while your face is a war zone, be aware that other factors can aggravate an acne outbreak. Stress, sun exposure, seasonal changes, and climate can cause an acne attack. Certain types of makeup and taking birth control polls can also cause a breakout. So here's some blemish-free advice, keeping in mind those who need it the most.
Women should try and change their makeup because in adult women, makeup is the major factor in acne outbreaks. Oil based makeup is a problem. Instead use a non oil based makeup if you are prone to acne. Products that contain lanolins, isopropyl myristate, sodium lauryl sulfate, laureth-4, and D and C red dyes should also be avoided. Like oil, these ingredients are to rich for the skin. And make sure to wash your makeup off every night.
You shouldn't squeeze pimples or whiteheads. A pimple is an inflammation, and you could add to the inflammation by squeezing it. You can cause an infection. I know from my own experience that excessive squeezing causes pot holes in your skin.
You can fight back acne by using over the counter products. Use OTCs with benzoyl peroxide in them(worked for me). And don't mix treatments. If you are using an OTC acne product, you should stop using it if you are given prescription medication for your acne.
DRY SKIN: follow each bath with a moisturizer, soak your skin for 15min in lukewarm water, select superfatted soaps, dont soap as often, let a humidifier help, use oatmeal to heal your dry itchy skin(works great).
