Acne And Skin Care Tips

It usually appears that pimples and acne occur very quickly, but they can last for weeks or months or longer if not treated. Inflammatory lesions take days or weeks to clear. However, the red and brown marks left behind remain visible for months. What is most frustrating is that just as the lesion is beginning to clear, new acne will form in the same spot.

Acne cysts, too, tend to be recurrent in the same spot, and you may notice that they increase and decrease in size over time, seemingly on their own. To prevent acne scarring, your dermatologist will tell you to avoid picking at the lesions to get rid of them. Picking at the lesions will only aggravate them and usually makes them last longer. Picking at the lesions also increases the risk of scarring.

Your dermatologist will constantly remind you not to pick at a pimple or squeeze it. The trauma and irritation caused from the picking or squeezing may give you an immediate feeling of satisfaction that you have cleared the contents and made the skin smoother. However, in the short run, it makes the area redder and more prone to having a brown mark or depressed scar left behind. To make matters worse, picking and squeezing will do nothing to prevent the pimple from coming back in the same place the next time.

In the treatment of acne, preventing the pimple from forming in the first place is the best advice a dermatologist can give you concerning the prevention of acne. If the pimple does form, the first tricking for getting an acne lesion to clear more quickly with minimum risk of scarring is to avoid picking at it. You should also treat it early with an appropriate antibacterial or anti-inflammatory medication.

Minimize putting anything on it and avoid doing anything that will excessively irritate the pimples. You should also evaluate any causes that you think might have triggered the breakout. Possible causes may include stress, the use of new creams or lotions, or stopping the use of an acne medication.

If the lesion does not go away, it is a good idea to have the spot evaluated by your dermatologist to make sure that it is merely a pimple that is slow to heal and not something else that needs to be addressed differently.

Another piece of advice from your dermatologist for acne prevention is to develop good hygiene. If you have acne prone skin, your dermatologist will generally recommend washing your face at least twice a day – in the morning and in the evening before going to bed. After gently cleansing your face, your dermatologist will also advise the use of an alcohol-free astringent to clean remnants of dirt, remove excess oils and tighten your pores.

If you are a teenager and tend to have greasy hair, your dermatologist is also likely to advise you to sport a short hairstyle because during this period, the hair can be greasy due to hormonal changes in the body. For adults in general and ladies in particular, thoroughly removing the make up before going to bed is extremely useful as make up may clog your pores, encouraging the quick multiplication of the acne causing P.acnes bacteria. Wear clean clothes made from natural fibre. Change your bedlinen once a week to prevent dust and bacteria from accumulating.

Your dermatologist will also provide advice on proper diet and nutrition in the prevention of acne. Eating lots of fruits and vegetables will provide you with the necessary antioxidants to boost your immunity. Drink at least eight glasses of water a day to facilitate the elimination of toxins in the body. Regular exercise will help boost blood circulation and eliminate toxins in the body.

When going outdoors, be sure to apply non-greasy sunscreen to minimize skin damage and sunburn by the ultraviolet rays. Wear a cap or hat if necessary. Avoid alcohol-based skincare products which will dry your skin, but do nothing to prevent acne.

If you continue to have problems, do schedule regular consultations with your dermatologist. Your skin is the largest organ in your body. It is also the most exposed organ in your body, making it vulnerable to pollution and the chemicals which surround us.  Getting a dermatologist’s regular advice on proper skin care is a worthwhile investment, don’t you think?