Acne is a common, non-contagious skin condition that affects adolescents and sometimes women during menopause. The exact cause of acne is unknown, though hormone changes may play a part. There are four different types of acne; blackheads, whiteheads, pustules, and papules. Acne is caused when the skin produces a large amount of sebum, which blocks the pores, attracting dirt and bacteria, and forming a pimple. Depending on the environment you live in, you may be conditioned to have more or less acne. There are however many sources that can help you manage these pimples, and each source can offer you a new solution. That’s why reading and gaining knowledge before using any products is an important part of this journey.
Preventing Acne
You can protect your skin from acne breakouts in a number of ways:
- Cleanse your face twice each day.
- Wash your face with an exfoliating scrub weekly.
- Avoid using excessive skin care products or makeup.
- Maintain a healthy diet.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Avoid too much sun exposure.
- Use over-the-counter acne prevention solutions.
If you want to learn more about preventing acne and scars on your skin by using over-the-counter treatments, read this review of Proactive.
Supplement you Skin
There are a number of vitamins and minerals which are vital for healthy skin and can help reduce your risk of acne outbreaks. These include:
Vitamin A: Found in carrots, egg-yolk, broccoli spinach, and cod-liver oil, vitamin A helps maintain the skin’s moisture and elasticity.
Vitamin B Complex: Found in bananas, eggs, liver, and legumes, vitamin B complex keeps skin supple and helps to remove dead skin cells.
Selenium: This mineral has been shown help protect the skin from acne by boosting the body’s antioxidant levels.
Zinc: If you have acne, you should definitely try zinc. It can be taken orally, as a supplement, or used topically and it can reduce acne by up to 50 percent.
Preventing Acne Scars
If you have a severe bout of acne, there is a risk that it may cause scarring. This is why it’s important not to squeeze or pick at pimples. The best way to prevent acne scars and skin damage is to apply a cortisone cream. Cortisone has anti-inflammatory properties; as it is absorbed by the skin, it sooths redness and swelling. It is an inexpensive cream that can be bought over the counter at your local pharmacy. If you have any dark patches of skin left from an acne scar, the best thing to use is a scar fading gel that contains onion extract. It’s an effective treatment that will fade mild scars within 4-5 weeks.
If your scars are severe and treatment with topical creams is not helping them to fade, you may want to consider laser skin resurfacing. When performed by a professional dermatologist, this therapy can even out the surface of your skin and stimulate the formation of new collagen in just 1-3 treatments.
Remember to take care of your skin externally and with a healthy diet. If you do develop pimples, don’t be tempted to scratch or squeeze them. Do not apply vitamin E cream to acne scars. Although it used to be thought that this vitamin promoted healing, it is now known that it can actually prolong healing.
Abby Tucker suffered from severe acne as a teen and it unfortunately left its mark. This ruined her self esteem growing up but she’s now in a place where she’s comfortable with who she is. She shares her story, her support and her knowledge with others going through this.
