Teen Acne: What Helps, What Hurts!

Acne or pimples often appear on your face, neck, chest,back, and shoulders, where skin has the greatest amount of oil glands. Few of us are immune to breakouts, but treatments can minimize outbreaks. For a clear complexion, read ahead for some surprising dos and don'ts.

Don't Rub Your Face

Avoid touching or rubbing your face since this can make acne worse. Also, don't lean your face on your hands. Our hands carry oils and germs that can irritate pimples. Sweat can also make acne worse. After sweating, gently wash your skin.

Do Clean Your Cell Phone

Dirty Cell Phone !!! Think about it: Your face produces oil and sweat, which gets onto your cell phone when you're on a call. If you don't clean that off, during your next call, you're pushing it back into your skin,along with any bacteria that has grown.

To clean your phone, follow the instructions from your phone's maker. Pressure from holding your phone against your cheek can also cause breakouts by irritating your skin.

Don't Pick or Break Your Pimples

Breaking pimples just creates more problems. Resist the temptation. It will only delay healing and make scars more likely. Pressing and breaking your pimples may get the plug at the top out, but you may be causing deeper problems. Instead of clearing the blockage out, you're pushing the infected material further down, where it can cause more damage and scarring.

Don't Overwash Your Face

One of the biggest myths is: 'My face is dirty, and that's why I'm getting acne,' Washing too much can strip the skin of essential oils, leading the body to paradoxically produce more oil, which can lead to more pimples. Washing twice a day is all you need.

Don't Over Exfoliate

Don't Exfoliate very often. Sandy or sugary products, rough scrubbing pads or loofahs, grainy scrubs can cause tiny tears in the skin if used daily. The result is irritation and inflammation. Also, vigorous washing can irritate your skin and make acne worse. So can soaps with harsh chemicals hurt your skin. Instead, be gentle, wash acne-prone areas twice daily with a mild cleanser and normal water to reduce irritation.

Do Go Oil-Free When You Wash

Oil-free soaps or washes won't clog your pores or cause blackheads, acne, and whiteheads. Choose products that are labelled "oil free," or "non-comedogenic."

Apply the soap gently and wash with your fingertips.

Do Reduce Junk and Starchy Foods

A diet high in sugars and starch may make an acne flare-up more likely. Avoid processed foods like chips, crackers, and cookies; white bread, pasta, and potatoes; sugary drinks like soda. These foods step up your blood sugar. Your body responds by secreting more insulin, which increases the production of skin oils and contributes to the clogging of follicles.

Don't Use Heavy Cosmetics

Avoid oil-based cosmetics. How can you tell? Follow this simple guideline: Creamy foundation or blush generally can clog pores.

Do Use an Oil-Free Foundation

If you wear makeup, use an oil-free foundation. Also, no matter how tired you are, wash your makeup off before bed.

Do Use Oil-Free Sunscreen

Wear an oil-free sunscreen or moisturizer with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher that says "broad-spectrum" on the label, which means it protects against ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultravioletB (UVB) rays. Look for products labelled "non-comedogenic," which means it won't clog your pores. Reapply every two-three hours.

Don't Use Greasy Hair Products

Using too much product such as pomades or gels can clog your pores when your hair brushes against your face. If you have oily hair, shampoo daily. Shield your face when applying any sprays or gels to your hair.

Do Keep Hair Off Your Face

Pull long hair back when you sleep so it doesn't irritate your skin. Try to keep your hair away from your face during the day as well. Remember, hair contains oils that can block pores and cause breakouts, even if you don't use hair products.

Do Apply Cream With Applicators

Use cotton balls, cotton swabs, or clean applicators when applying creams or makeup to your skin. Don't reuse an old makeup sponge;replace it. If you use your hands, clean them first and only use your fingertips. Also, clean your skin before you put on makeup.

Do Use Oil-Free Moisturizer

Healthy skin is moist. Choose an oil-free moisturizer that says "non-comedogenic" on the label. This means it won't clog your pores. You may hesitate to apply moisturizer to acne-prone skin, but a good moisturizer may help calm irritated skin and keep acne at bay.

Do Use Acne Medicines as Directed

There's no quick fix for acne. Medicines don't work overnight. Many treatments take weeks of daily use before your skin improves. Some acne may take up to six months to clear up. Afterwards, basic skin care --bathing daily and washing your face and hands with mild soap -- may not be enough. You may need to keep using acne medicine even when your skin clears. Follow your Dermatologist's directions.

Don't give up Up Too Soon : Look Into All Acne Treatments

Don't just live with acne, blackheads, and blemishes. If your current treatments don't seem to be working, see your Dermatologist to discuss other treatments. This is especially important if you have acne cysts or if your acne leaves scars. There are many types of medicines and procedures to help clear your skin.

I sincerely hope that you found this information and the underlying advice from me useful. If you did, do share it with your loved ones and others.

You can also consult with me if you believe I can help you with your Acne or other skin related conditions.