Without treatment, acne can leave permanent traces on the face and other parts of the body. But what is really acne? What are the causes and how can you reduce the effects of them? Acne is a cutaneous disorder caused by an obstruction of the pores which will allow the proliferation of bacteria under the skin, whose pustules are the external symbols you will see.

Acne is related on testosterone: when the rate is too high, the quantity of sebum increases on your skin. Other factors like sweat, the sun, the thickness of the skin or chlorine can also be the cause about it.

It is not impossible to cure acne and know that one can suffer from it at any age. The two most known treatments for curing acne are benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. They both help you to reduce the thickness of the skin but have different operating processes. Benzoyl peroxide attacks directly the bacteria responsible for the acne while penetrating deeply under the skin.

Its principal disadvantage is that it may be irritating and may need to be used with very weak concentrations of about 2.5%. As for salicylic acid, it can be used if your skin does not support benzoyl peroxide and it is commonly applied in weak concentrations of about 2%.

Even on these levels of concentration, these two products are very effective. In addition to them, dermatologists can prescribe treatments containing antibiotics or accutane which is a derivative of vitamin A.

But in essence benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid are two very useful methods of fighting bacteria and preventing pimples. They are commonly used and will work for most people. While these are over-the-counter products, they work just as well as high-end or more intensive treatments like accutane.

As a preventive tool, benzyol peroxide and salicylic acid are very good for killing daily bacteria and removing excess sebum. Using them regularly will do wonders for your skin.

Apart from using natural acne treatments at home, it is recommended that you should invest in a good benzoyl peroxide soap for daily use. This should help prevent acne and cure existing pimples.

Combating acne is effectively done by having better skin care.

How to treat and prevent the appearance of acne:

1. Exercise: It is the global and most effective remedy for keeping negative stress levels at bay. Loose cotton or natural fabric clothing must be chosen, as unlike lycra and nylon, they keep the body- heat low- preventing bacteria to feed on. Also, cleanliness of sports gear and equipments must be maintained.

2. Safe Cosmetics: Use cosmetic products that are labeled “non-comedogenic” or “oil-free” and “hypo-allergenic” perfumes to avoid skin irritation, pore-clogging and harmful reactions. Also keep in mind that chemical agents in blushes and facial colors also cause allergic reactions to the skin. Matte finished lip glosses reduce pore-clogging.

3. A healthy diet: This is very important for one to have a healthy looking skin; studies have shown positive results. Sufficient amount of vitamins and minerals, as well as important nutrients, have always helped to have a glowing skin. Examples are Vitamin A, B, C, E, L and Zinc. Plenty amounts of juices, soups, and other fluids should be taken regularly for a complete source of vital nutrients.

4. Hormonal changes: When it occurs in human the body- especially women, it has a greater effect and a big role in skin related problems. This is what happens especially during their menstruation which a recent study has proven. Antibiotics, retinoid, etc are medicines for teenagers, where as for adults, there are oral contraceptive pills, HRT in combination with other treatment; these are all suggested by general physicians.

5. No rubbing please: For healthy looking skin, rigorous scrubbing is a no-no because immediate skin scratching and irritation will be observed, so avoid doing it. Use a very mild, gentle and free of alcohol product, containing minimum exfoliation items.

6. Key ingredient: The most popular ACNE prevention products are benzoyl peroxide, proactiv® solution, salicylic acid, antibiotics, anti-androgens and isotretinoin; to name a few. Also, oral contraceptives have been said to play a vital role in acne prevention.

7. The importance of a shave: Shaving is the most ideal way of removing dead and broken skin. Pores are efficiently removed by shaving and acnes are prevented from spreading as well. Furthermore, whiteheads as well as blackhead are removed totally, so less chances of acne growth is present. Use a mild shaving cream, a sharp blade, and swipe gently as you shave to avoid scars. Those who have sensitive skin may choose creams specially-made for their skin type. Avoid razors with twin blades and use single edge razor blades instead.

8. Stress is categorized into internal as well as external stressors.

External Stressors: It compromises of the skin’s ability of healing, such as make-up laden with oil and excess exposure to the sun. The more external- exposure the skin gets, chances are that acne and other harmful skin related diseases are sure to appear.

Internal stressors: Anxiety, depression, fear, feeling low on self-esteem, and other internal emotions. These emotions trigger distinct chemical reaction inside the body, resulting in gradual acne production and other skin problems.

In order to fight internal stressors, along with its effect on skin and to prevent problems of acne, sleep well and get ample rest. The more you sleep, the more relaxed your body and skin is. Create FAQs and a list of Do’s and Don’ts to keep you on top of things. Always maintain a list of “things that calm you” and make sure they are within reach, so that you may cope up with stress during hectic times.

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There are a large number of acne treatments to choose from these days. These treatments can be classified into two different types, topical acne treatments (these are applied to the affected areas of the skin) and oral acne treatments which are medicines taken by mouth. Milder types of acne can often be treatable with over-the-counter products, but more aggressive types of acne may need treating with prescription medicines. It is advisable to start using the treatments as soon as possible, early treatment can make acne scars less likely to occur.

Topical Acne Treatments

These are usually creams which the patient applies to the affected areas of skin. Topical products include topical benzoyl peroxide, topical retinoids, and topical antibiotics. Topical benzoyl peroxide is most often used for treating mild to moderate types of acne, topical antibiotics can also be used for treatment of mild to moderate acne. Topical retinoids are frequently used in the treating of moderate types of acne.

Benzoyl peroxide is frequently the best acne product to begin with as an acne treatment. It comes in a selection of different strengths and is most often applied to the affected areas twice daily. It can occasionally cause dry and irritated skin, applying the medication less frequently then building up to the full dose can often help to get around this problem.

Oral Acne Treatments

Oral acne treatments like antibiotics, retinoids, and hormone pills are used for cases of moderate to severe acne. Isotretinoin is often used in the treatment of severe cystic acne. The action isn’t completely understood yet, but it is believed to act by reducing the size of and the amount of sebum output by the sebaceous glands. Women who can become pregnant should not take this medication without contraception, since isotretinoin can have serious side effects on pregnant women and their unborn children.

Availability of Treatments

Benzoyl peroxide can normally be purchased over-the-counter. Topical retinoids, and topical antibiotics, isotretinoin, oral antibiotics and hormone pills usually require a prescription.

Herbal Treatments

Many people favour the use of herbal acne treatments, of which there are several available. A few of these are:

-Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is said to have anti-bacterial properties and is normally applied topically when it has been diluted to a concentration of 5-15 per cent.

-Licorice Root Extract

Licorice root extract, like tea tree oil, is believed to have anti-bacterial properties.

-Olive Leaf Extract

Extracts of olive leaf also are believed to have anti-microbial properties.

-Green Tea Extract

Green tea extract has antioxidants and bioflavonoids which are believed to be useful in treating acne.

Nutritional Changes

It has been said that a change in a person’s daily diet can help to prevent outbreaks of acne. Reducing the intake of junk food and refined foods and increasing the intake of fruit and vegetables and wholefoods has been said to reduce acne. Increasing the consumption of zinc and antioxidants has also been purported as being useful in preventing acne.

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