Acne Cure

Skin Care & Acne Prevention



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Skin Care & Acne Prevention



Lets take a look at how to combat your acne.



The main strategy to use is prevention where possible and better

skin care. Here are several top issues of focus for each:



exercise, cosmetics, diet, hormones, hygiene, medications,

shaving, stress.



Exercise Keeping in shape can help fight acne by fighting off

negative stress levels that can come from negative self-esteem

and depression. However, some safeguards need to be in place to

ward off acne that can result from your workout routines. First

watch which products you use on your body because you'll most

likely be sweating. With any sunscreen's for outdoor workout

activities and any make-up or other cosmetics, check for

noncomedogenic and oil-free on the labels to help prevent

pore clogging. And when your workout is finished, wash the

products off as soon as possible, especially if you'll be going

into a steam room or sauna where your pores will be opening up

more. You don't want these lotions and other cosmetics getting

into your pores and clogging them up, resulting in blemishes.



Watch what you put on your body with regards to clothing, sports

gear and equipment. For example, tight lycra and nylon exercise

outfits might look great in the movies and magazine models, but

if you are susceptible to acne problems, avoid these synthetic

fabrics that tend to trap in body moisture and heat resulting in

a bacteria frenzy. Instead, choose loose clothing made of cotton

or natural blends to allow more air to get to your skin. And

when youre finished with your workout, get out of clothing wet

from perspiration or water sports. Shower and change into dry,

clean clothing. And keep your sports gear and equipment clean,

too. Dirty headgear, for instance, can irritate forehead areas

prone to acne problems. So toss headbands into the washing

machine after workout sessions.



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Tip: when cleaning your body after a workout, no need to scrub

with force and irritate skin. If possible, wash with medicated

soap (check for exfoliant on the label) or medicated wipes

from your athletic bag where showers aren't available.



Tip: When drying with a towel, even if it's during your workout

to erase sweat, always blot instead of rub. That way you avoid

grinding excess dead skin, dirt, sweat and other chemicals into

your pores and risking pore-clogging and skin irritation.



Cosmetics To avoid pore-clogging and skin irritations similar

to acne and can contribute to acne, use products labeled

noncomedogenic or oil-free. Shimmering facial colors can

contain a flaky mineral called mica that can cause skin

irritations and clog pores. Other additives in coloring that can

cause similar reactions are coal tar derivatives, carmine and

heavy cream in blushes. More preventative measures include using

a lip gloss promoting a matte finish instead of a high gloss for

less pore-clogging; note the more the shine, the more then

comedogenic content and the more the pores can clog.



Beware eye creams can contain heavier concentrations of

moisturizers than regular creams and lotions, meaning they have

greater potential to clog pores in the surrounding facial areas.

Additionally use caution with hair styling products that contain

oils, alcohol and adhesives that should be kept away from skin

and from seeping into pores along with perspiration during

workouts; especially watch hair gels and mousses so they don't

cause clogging around your hairline. Use care when choosing

fragrance and scented cosmetics, and opt for hypo-allergenic or

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fragrance-free versions where possible to avoid allergic

reactions and skin irritations (a sampling 3-day test behind an

ear is recommended).



Tip: Thoroughly clean your face and any other areas where

cosmetics are applied daily, especially if used when combined

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with exercising or other activities that promote sweating, where

there is the opportunity for the chemicals to be absorbed or

soaked up into your pores.



Shaving Shaving for both genders is an excellent way of

exfoliating or removing dead skin to help with the prevention

and spreading of acne instead of leaving the remains to clog

pores. And for some light acne cases already in process, shaving

can help rid whiteheads and blackheads from the face. A word of

caution: for areas with infection or high inflammatory activity

(redness, sensitive, open acne, sores, etc.), do not shave. Or

at the very least, use a shaving cream for sensitive skin. For

best results with regular shaving, follow these procedures:



Steer away from shaving creams that are oily and choose one for

sensitive skin if available. Then moisten facial or other hair

with warm water, apply the shaving cream and lather well. Shave

with a sharp (not dull) blade. Note when shaving, use gentle

swipes instead of heavy pressure ones that can irritate

acne-prone areas. And go with the flow or grain; in other

words, adapt to downward, lateral, angular or upward swipes, for

a smoother shave with less nicks and irritating backward

motions. Experiment with different razors, both electric and

disposable, with single- double- or triple-edged (mach III)

heads to see which works best for you. And try shaving in a warm

shower for better results.



For after shaving applications, try toning to stop bacteria dead

in its tracks before it gets into your open follicles. Try

antibiotic gel or lotion, witch hazel, Dalacin T, a mild

alcohol-free toner, Benzoyl Peroxide in gel form and Salicylic

Acid in a gel.



Shaving Tip: Electric razors may not shave as close to the skin;

however, they help with the prevention of acne and other skin

breakout's and flare-ups better.



Shaving Tip: If a non-electric razor is your choice, a

single-edged blade is actually better. Why? Because double- and

triple-edged blades grab hair follicles and pull them out from

below the epidermis. And in the process, your skin heals

itself by closing over these holes, making it difficult for

future hair follicles to grow outward creating inflammation in

the tight areas.



Diet Studies show diet does not play a role in either the

cause or the treatment of acne. However, what is recommended for

acne preventative care is what is best for your body and best

for your skin, especially since your skin is the largest organ

of your body. So here are healthy vitamins, minerals and other

supplements known and recommended to prevent and help conquer

acne breakout's:



Hormones Hormones or lack of, during later years and

especially for women, can play a role in acne flare-ups and

prevention. One recent study showed about 50 percent of women

have acne, referred to as hormonal acne, problems during the

week before their menstruation. Treatment options can include

topical retinoids, oral antibiotics and Benzoyl Peroxide for

teen years. On into adult years, some acne aids include oral

contraceptives or hormonal birth control pills and hormonal

replacement therapy (HRT) for women, combined with systemic or

topical treatments, prescription or over-the-counter products

and medications, and antibiotics for both sexes.



Hygiene A healthy skin regimen should include no harsh

scrubbing or over-washing, because this can cause possible skin

irritation or possible over production of oil to replace what's

washed off, clogging pores in the process. Products with gentle

exfoliation ingredients are OK to use; i.e. not scratchy nut or

fruit shell pieces that can tear skin. And skip alcohol products

when possible; these can take off the top layer of your skin and

cause your glands to product more oil, clogging pores in the

process.



If you do spot acne-troubled areas, do NOT mess with them.

Remember these are already weeks in the making, and squeezing or

picking blemishes can force the infected area to regress back

inside, further troubling the region and possibly leave a scar.

If necessary, seek help from a dermatologist for alternative

treatments.



About the author:

Kim Standerline is a registered nurse working for a large

hospital Trust in the UK. Her websites include

www.nursing-hints.com, www.backpain-free.com and

www.acne-and-you.com

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