Acne Tips: How to Prevent and Get Rid of Acne
You have probably heard many acne tips in the past for preventing or getting rid of pimples and the resulting acne scars. Some of those tips may be based in experience and some are just cooked up in someone’s home kitchen, or just in their head. However, in order to effectively treat acne, you need to be aware of what factors can cause or aggravate your condition. You’ve no doubt heard the common myths that eating chocolate or oily foods causes acne. While a healthy diet is recommended, there is no one specific food that results in acne outbreaks. Learning to distinguish the facts from the rumors is essential if you want to prevent and treat acne breakouts.
Your Age and Acne
While acne is most predominant in teens and young adults, it can affect people of all ages. The good news is that once a person reaches the age of 25, their chances of developing acne or suffering from additional outbreaks will drop dramatically. For adults in their mid-thirties or older, the risk of acne is even less. However, there are still many cases of adult acne, usually in women, due to hormonal imbalances that occur during pregnancy and menopause.
Your Diet and Acne
Even though eating chocolate or fried foods does not cause acne, a well-balanced diet can make a big difference in keeping your body healthy and preventing this condition. In order to keep your skin nourished and looking its best, try to eat several servings of fresh fruits and vegetables each day. A sufficient water intake is also important to keep your skin hydrated. In addition to helping your acne, drinking lots of water will help your whole body (with the added benefit of preventing constipation!)
Does Stress Cause Acne?
People often say that they break out when they are under a lot of stress. The relationship between stress and acne has been a hot topic for many years. Although it may not be the culprit in an underlying acne condition, unnecessary emotional turmoil can worsen breakouts or cause frequent flare-ups. Be aware of your stress triggers and try different methods of relaxation or prevention. The most effective stress relievers are exercise and yoga, but you have to experiment with what works best for you.
Acne Skin Care Myths
If you have had acne for a while, you will probably have heard over and over again that you just have to wash your face more often. People may tell you that you just aren’t keeping your skin clean. Many people mistakenly think their acne is the result of poor hygiene, therefore they resort to an extreme cleansing regimen. They scrub and exfoliate and work hard to dry out those stubborn blackheads and pimples to no avail.
In reality, all those over-the-counter products that require harsh scrubbing are more likely to aggravate your acne and cause it to spread more. A mild cleanser or toner used daily is your best bet. Avoid facial creams and cleansers that contain harsh ingredients, which can irritate or dry out the skin cells. Ask you doctor to recommend an acne cleanser that is appropriate for your type of skin.
Can Vitamins Cure Acne?
There are many acne vitamin cures out there that promise miracle results. In fact, studies have shown that many acne cases may be related to a vitamin deficiency in the body. If you’ve tried improving your eating habits but still experience frequent outbreaks, you may wish to try adding vitamin supplements to your diet. Vitamins A, B5, C, D, and E are all beneficial in promoting healthy skin. Your doctor can further assist you in deciding what type of vitamin supplement is necessary.
Stay Out of the Sun!
The sun is out or you are going on vacation and everyone is telling you that it’s the best thing for your acne. They tell you that the sun will miraculously heal and dry up your blemishes. This is another popular acne myth. While a tanned face may help to conceal red blotchy patches on your skin, a day in the sun will not heal or improve acne. In fact, if you’re currently taking any type of antibiotic for acne or applying topical ointments, you are much more susceptible to sunburn, which will make your acne even worse.
Acne can be both emotionally draining and extremely frustrating to cope with. You may have to experiment with different regimens and acne treatments before you find the one that works for you. It’s important to realize that in most cases there is no quick fix or miracle drug to cure your problem. Focus on your own acne triggers and work on using a mix of different treatment methods, including gentle skin care, topical treatments, healthy diet, relaxation, and prescription medicines when needed.
