Acne tips

General Tips

• Knowledge is power. You must educate yourself about Acne.

• The incidences of acne reduce sharply after the age of 45.

• Even very mild or occasional breakouts have the potential to leave permanent scars.

• The skin produces its greatest volume of sebum and oil at approximately 1 to 2 o'clock in the afternoon and its least volume in the middle of the night.

• Vitamin A protects the skin and prevents acne. It also helps reduce sebum production.

• Get plenty of fresh air and sunshine for vitamin D.

• Remember, even "good" stress can trigger internal chemical responses that result in acne, too.

• Acne is 62% more prevalent in active smokers than in non-smokers.

• You can't catch acne during kissing - go for it!

• Working in a kitchen, going on holiday to places with high humidity or using a steam room or sauna, can aggravate your acne or cause flare-ups. This is due to hydration and swelling of the ductal blockages which lead to the inflammatory phase of acne.

• Tight clothing will cause the sweat and oil to be absorbed into your skin more then it needs to be.

Diet Tips

• Get plenty of rest and drink 8 glasses of water each day. Water helps in cleaning and hydrating the skin and maintaining overall health.

• If you want to control acne breakouts, you need to supplement your diet with fish oils which contain omega-3 and omega-6 oils.

• Caffeine increases the levels of stress hormones in the body and can aggravate acne. Avoid coffee, tea, chocolate and other stimulant containing drinks.

• Refined sugar and dietary saturated fats seem to promote acne outbreaks.

• Eat tons of fruits and vegetables. Don't eat too much bread, meat, or dairy products.

Clean up Tips

• Headbands and hats can aggravate your acne as they rub against your forehead.

• Wash your pillowcase often, and always use clean face towels.

• Be sure to wash your hair every day, an oily scalp or hair will exacerbate the acne infections.

• Excessive sweating can make your acne worse, but this is not a reason to stop exercising.

Cosmetic Tips

• Make sure to clean cosmetic brushes regularly in soapy water and throw out old, contaminated makeup.

• To keep bacteria at bay, wash your hands before applying anything to your face, such as treatment creams or makeup.

• Alcohol-based lotions and creams are to be avoided completely.

• Apply a honey mask once a week. Honey is regarded as a disinfectant and also it has medicinal properties believed to heal minor blemishes. It has the properties of destroying the bacteria present in the skin.
   

Medical Tips

• If you are seeing a dermatologist and are receiving prescriptions, make sure that your physician/dermatologist is aware of any current or past medical conditions.

• The contents of blackheads and pustular lesions should be evacuated only by a physician under proper aseptic conditions to lessen the possibility of scarring

• If tetracycline is prescribed, be sure to take it at least one hour before or two hours after mealtime.

• If you use more acne medication than directed by your doctor you can actually worsen your acne.

• When using any acne medicine, always apply the medication over the entire face. Most medications are aimed at the prevention of new pimples.

• Tetracycline found in some products for troubled skin can cause discolorations in teeth, and even effect the future color of a child's teeth when the child is exposed to this product in the womb.

• If you do not see improvement in 4-6 weeks using OTC, then you should see your Pediatrician about using a prescription medication.

• Those who are pregnant must be extremely cautious before using any type of product, either orally or topically.