Jeremy Kelley just saw his first zit before going to his Spanish class. Imagine his chagrine as he thought everyone was checking on him. Fortunately for Jeremy there are great things he can do for his acne.
Acne is an equal opportunity destroyer, attacking without regard to age, race or gender. Most that {suffer|suffers| from acne, though, are adults and young adults, aged 12 to 24. About 85% of people who fall within this group have acne and of those about 26% will experience extended scarring that can be anything from light to noticable at a glance.
Those 25 and over, though, are not immune from acne's vise like grip. The American Dermatologist Association reports that about 20% of all those over the age of 24 have active acne lesions. This boils down to just about 60 million Americans, adults and teens have active acne and 20 million Americans have acne that is extensive enough to cause permanent scars. Surprisingly, only 10% of acne sufferers will go for treatment, but this is partly due to the social stigma that acne carries.
There is reason to have hope, though, for acne sufferers. Since you will learn here what causes acne, the things that work and what doesn't and how to prevent your acne, you can take steps to get skin that is clear.
What Causes Acne?
While acne is not contagious, there are some proven things that do contribute to a case of having acne lesions. Simply put, acne is caused when the sebaceous glands produce excess oil. Other causes may include:
* An inherited tendency towards acne or genetics * Poor cleansing of the skin * Physical irritation * Over washing the skin * Pollutants in the environment * Some prescribed medications * Hormones and hormone imbalances * Some illnesses * Humidity * Stress and anxiety
Don?t Waste your Time (or Money)
While some acne solutions work, many do not. When picking out an over the counter remedy, be on your guard. Many of the acne products on the shelves today have harsh ingredients that can really dry out your skin, or even make your acne worse. Pick out your cleansing and acne treatment products carefully and look for products that are not too harsh.
What Really Works
Four things really do work for acne. Together they pack a powerful punch to make acne a thing of the past.
To treat acne you currently are suffering from, use natural products like tea tree oil which has strong antiseptic effects and is really quite effective. Witch hazel is an effective toner and it can give you a healthy glow. Mint is a good spot treatment, especially for cystic acne. It will cool and sooth the skin while killing bacteria in the process.
A good firming and cleansing mask that you can make in a couple of minutes is an egg white and corn starch mask. Make a paste with the egg white and corn starch. Apply it to clean skin and allow it to dry. Remove with a damp washcloth and then rinse. You will find yourself with glowing, clear skin.
An Ounce of Prevention:
Prevention will definitely help you avoid acne in the first place. The best way to avoid acne is to take care of your health. A sensible, diet without much fat that includes plenty of whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables will help keep you acne free. Dark green leafy vegetables, like beet greens, are great acne fighters. You should also drink plenty of water to keep your body hydrated. A good night's sleep is another known beauty secret. Doctors recommend about seven hours of sleep a night.
One final thing, proper cleansing of your skin is vital for keeping it clear. You should cleanse your skin daily. If you wear makeup, make sure that you take it off each nightbefore retiring for the night. When cleansing your skin, use a cleanser that is gentle and be sure that the water is not too hot. Don't scrub because that can make your acne worse. Rinse well and blot dry with a clean towel. When you take the steps to prevent acne, you won't have to worry about any scarring from it.
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