Friday, November 20, 2009

Acne (Pimples) Prevention


Acne (Pimples) Prevention


Can you please suggest a remedy for this. I had a pimple.How can i clear my acne. I am applying sandalwood everyday. still its not clear. Can you please suggest any home remedies you know.


There are many types of acne, and they are as follows:
• Acne vulgaris - most commonly experienced around puberty, typically of the face and shoulders/chest

• Acne rosacea - a red rash predominantly on the face

• Acne keloidalis nuchae (Pseudofolliculitis nuchae) - a rash caused by shaving

• Acne conglobata (Hidradenitis suppurativa) - chronic abscesses or boils of sweat glands and hair follicles; in the underarms, groin and buttocks, and under the breasts in women

• Acne cosmetica - acne caused by cosmetics

• Acne fulminans - an extreme form of acne conglobata

• Acne medicamentosa - acne caused by starting or stopping a medicine

• Baby acne - a rash seen on the cheeks, chin, and forehead of infants

• Chloracne - an acne rash caused by exposure to chlorinated hydrocarbons such as dioxins or PCBs

Acne is not just common among teenage, it also afflicts adults. Acne is caused by the clogging of pores and the inflammation of the sebaceous glands and hair follicles. It can occur on the face, neck, shoulders, back and chest. This happens because the glands produce oil and when the pores are clogged it becomes whiteheads or blackheads. And when bacteria infect the hair follicles, and when the whitehead raptures, a pimple is produced. And if pimples are squeezed, scars on the face can develop.

What are the common causes of acne?

There are many causes of acne, among them are as follows:• Poor hygiene, diet, stress, heredity and hormone imbalances• Food allergies are cause of some of the worst cases.

• In general, bad digestion, leads to the inability to absorb important nutrients and is a major cause of acne.

• Although many traditional medical practitioners may not agree, the excess of milk, sugar, white flour and other refined, processed food, as well as nuts and high-fat meats, such as pork, may be contributing factors to acne.

• A diet high in high glycemic carbs and refined sugar creates a blood sugar boost that sets off a series of hormonal changes known to cause acne.

How to prevent Acne?

Acne can be prevented by:

• Avoid all foods containing trans-fatty acids, such as milk, milk products, cookies, chips, margarine, chocolate, shortening and hydrogenated oils. Avoid fried foods. Eliminate sodas and artificial sweeteners.

• Drinking six to eight glasses of water daily. This will aid your body systems in functioning properly, especially your skin (your largest organ) for acne sufferers.

• Other causes are deficiencies in zinc, vitamin A, and essential fatty acids such as linoleic.

• Poor digestion should be addressed by a good diet and digestive supplements.

• Cleanliness, it goes without saying that keeping the skin clean and bacteria-free is of major importance.


Tips on cleanliness:

• Keep your bed linens clean, as dead skin, oil, cosmetics, hair preparations and dirt on the linen will be picked up by your skin while you sleep and help clog pores.

• Wash your skin gently twice daily with an antibacterial soap or cleanser containing salicylic acid, not regular soap, as it is alkaline and will promote bacterial growth. Don't scrub too hard, as this will irritate your skin further.

• Products containing benzoyl peroxide are also very beneficial topical cleansing agents. However, if you are using products containing benzoyl peroxide, make extra efforts to screen yourself from the sun.

• Soap with aloe vera is good, too, as aloe is a natural wound healer.

• Allergies to cosmetics may be a cause, too, so if your acne started after using new cosmetics, eliminate them for a week to see if the acne clears up.

• Keep your hands away from your face or other affected areas. They contain oils and bacteria that promote acne. Wash your hands frequently.

• Take a steam shower or boil some water on the stove and put your head over the vapors for a few minutes. This will open up the pores and they can be cleaned out more easily. The blackheads can be squeezed out more easily, but do not squeeze the whiteheads, as this is an infected area and can cause other problems. Another similar method is to put a very warm washcloth on the affected area several times a day. This will open the pores and help cleanse the skin.

• Avoid greasy creams and cosmetics, especially ones that contain oils and dyes, and avoid medications that contain bromides or iodides.

Some of the remedies:

• Use Aloe Vera juice or gel or ointment to counteract infection and promote healing. Using Aloe Vera juice morning and night for as long as necessary (perhaps six months or longer) will help reduce the scars and improve skin complexion and color. It is drying, so if you have dry skin, use an aloe-based moisturizer. The pulp of the Aloe Vera plant is an excellent skin cleanser. Break off a portion and rub the pulp directly on the skin.

• Clean your skin and apply either lemon juice or apple cider vinegar with a cotton ball. The acid in these kitchen remedies helps flush out the pores and keeps the skin looking beautiful. Vinegar acts as an astringent and helps remove excess oil, kills bacteria, and normalizes the skin's pH.

• You can use apple cider vinegar is to "steam clean" the face by putting it over a pan of boiling water with a towel over your head to trap the steam. This will loosen the dirt and oil. Then apply the vinegar with a cotton ball to remove the dirt and oil buildup. Repeat twice, and then dab more vinegar on the pores to close them. Use this method once a week.

• The essential oils in carrot juice will aid digestion and help stop acne.

• Liquefy a peeled cucumber in a blender and apply the juice to the acne. Another variation of this remedy is to drink four or five cups of cucumber juice daily for a week. This is said to purify

the blood and lymphatic system, resulting in a clearer skin.

• Clean your skin thoroughly and apply egg white with a cotton swab. Let it sit for several hours or overnight. The egg white is an astringent.

• Rub your acne with raw garlic several times a day.

• This extract is a powerful all-around antimicrobial product and is an excellent disinfectant. Make a solution of 4-40 drops in four ounces of water and apply to the affected areas with a cotton ball two or three times a day.

• Lemon juice Apply fresh lemon juice to the affected area with a cotton ball or Q-tip before bed. Wash off in the morning.

• Oatmeal As for measles and other skin irritations, people have used oatmeal to conquer acne. Apply some cooled, cooked oatmeal to the whole face for fifteen minutes, then wash off. Oatmeal is an astringent and seems to draw oil and impurities out of the skin, keeping it clean and blemish-free. This method may take a week or two, but should have good results.

• Sugar Wash your face and make a poultice of white sugar with a small amount of water; dab on the affected area. Sugar has an antibacterial effect.

• Sun Ultraviolet radiation from the sun or a sunlamp will help kill bacteria on the skin and dry up excess oil.