Skin Care
& Acne Prevention
Now for the facts. Let’s take a look at how to combat
acne. The main strategy to use is prevention where
possible and better skincare. Here are several top issues
of focus for each: exercise, cosmetics, diet, hormones,
hygiene, medications, shaving, stress.
1.
Exercise – Keeping in shape can help fight acne by
fighting off negative stress levels that can come from
negative self-esteem and depression. However, some
safeguards need to be in place to ward off acne that can
result from your workout routines. First watch which
products you use on your body because you’ll most likely be
sweating. With any sunscreens for outdoor workout activities
and any make-up or other cosmetics, check for
“noncomedogenic” and “oil-free” on the labels to help
prevent pore clogging. And when your workout is finished,
wash the products off as soon as possible, especially if
you’ll be going into a steam room or sauna where your pores
will be opening up more. You don’t want these lotions and
other cosmetics getting into your pores and clogging them
up, resulting in blemishes.
Watch what you put on your body with regards to clothing,
sports gear and equipment, too. For example, tight lycra
and nylon exercise outfits might look great in the movies
and on magazine models, but if you are susceptible to
acne problems, avoid these synthetic fabrics that tend to
trap in body moisture and heat resulting in a bacteria
frenzy. Instead, choose loose clothing made of cotton or
natural blends to allow more air to get to your skin. And
when you’re finished with your workout, get out of
clothing wet from perspiration or water sports. Shower
and change into dry, clean clothing. And keep your sports
gear and equipment clean, too. Dirty headgear, for
instance, can irritate forehead areas prone to acne
problems. So toss headbands into the washing machine
after workout sessions.
Tip: when cleaning your body after a workout, no need to
scrub with force and irritate skin. If possible, wash
with medicated soap (check for “exfoliant” on the label)
or medicated wipes from your athletic bag where showers
aren’t available.
Tip: and when drying with a towel, even if it’s during
your workout to erase sweat, always blot instead of rub.
That way you avoid grinding excess dead skin, dirt, sweat
and other chemicals into your pores and risking
pore-clogging and skin irritation.
2.
Cosmetics – To avoid pore-clogging and skin
irritations that are similar to acne and that can contribute
to acne, use products labeled “noncomedogenic” or
“oil-free.”
Shimmering facial colors can contain a flaky mineral called
mica that can cause skin irritations and clog pores. Other
additives in coloring that can cause similar reactions are
coal tar derivatives, carmine and heavy cream in blushes.
More preventative measures include using a lip gloss that
promotes a matte finish instead of a high gloss for less
pore-clogging; note the more the shine, the more then
comedogenic content and the more the pores can clog. Beware
that eye creams can contain heavier concentrations of
moisturizers than regular creams and lotions, meaning they
have greater potential to clog pores in the surrounding
facial areas. Additionally use caution with hair styling
products that contain oils, alcohol and adhesives that
should be kept away from skin and from seeping into pores
along with perspiration during workouts; especially watch
hair gels and mousses so that they don’t cause clogging
around your hairline. Use care when choosing fragrance and
scented cosmetics, too, and opt for “hypo-allergenic” or
“fragrance-free” versions where possible to avoid allergic
reactions and skin irritations (a sampling 3-day test behind
an ear is recommended).
Tip:
thoroughly clean your face and any other areas where
cosmetics are applied daily, especially if used when
combined with exercising or other activities that promote
sweating, where there is the opportunity for the chemicals
to be absorbed or soaked up into your
pores.
3.
Diet – Studies show that diet does not play a role in
either the cause or the treatment of acne. However, what is
recommended for acne preventative care is this: what is best
for your body is best for your skin, especially since your
skin is the largest organ of your body. So here are healthy
vitamins, minerals and other supplements that have been
known and recommended to prevent and help conquer acne
breakouts:
-
Vitamin A or Retinol is found not only in some cosmetic
creams but also in liver, fish oils and dairy products.
Produced by plants, this vitamin is also known as called
Beta-carotene, and is found in yellowish-orange fruits and
vegetable; yams, cantaloupe, carrots apricots, and in green
vegetables like spinach, kale and parsley. Beware that high
doses of Vitamin A are toxic.
-
Vitamin B Complex. These vitamins are found in leafy
vegetables, fish, milk, eggs and whole grains and have many
functions. For example, although B-2 can irritate acne, it can
help alleviate stress. B-1, B-6 and B-12 are also known for
proving stress relief. And B-3, in avocados, eggs, peanuts,
lean meat and liver, reportedly reduces cholesterol level, has
an anti-inflammatory effect on skin and improves your
metabolism and circulation, improving acne in some
studies.
- Vitamin
C - A form of
this vitamin, the C ester has antioxidant and
anti-inflammatory properties and has helped penetrate skin
and prevent the return of acne. It is being tested for
repairing damage to scar tissue from teen
years.
-
Vitamin E, in almonds, broccoli, peanuts, sunflower
seeds, wheat germ and vegetable oils, has been said to
help with scar tissue healing, but this is considered a
myth by many healthcare professionals. Instead,
researchers are considering that a form called
tocotrienol (often referred to as high potency E or HPE)
may carry antioxidant properties that may be able to aid
the skin when ingested.
-
L-Carnitine- this supplement is reported to help repair skin
damage from acne for young and old.
- Zinc (found
in eggs, mushrooms, nuts and whole grains) and selenium (a
trace mineral in most soils and absorbed my a variety of
vegetables) are known to improve the overall health of the
body, including the skin.
In summary, a
good quality brand name multivitamin will probably have the
recommended vitamins and minerals that you need to help with
acne prevention. Combine this with drinking plenty of fluids
throughout the day and making good, healthy dietary food
choices. For example, if you have had ill effects from
eating a certain food before, be leery of it and make
healthier food choices for yourself.
3.
Hormones – Hormones or lack of, during later years
and especially for women, can play a role in acne flare-ups
and prevention. One recent study showed that about 50
percent of women have acne, referred to as hormonal acne,
problems during the week before their menstruation.
Treatment options can include topical retinoids, oral
antibiotics and Benzoyl Peroxide for teen years. On
into adult years, some acne aids include oral contraceptives
or hormonal birth control pills and hormonal replacement
therapy (HRT) for women, combined with systemic or topical
treatments, prescription or over-the-counter products and
medications, and antibiotics for both
sexes.
4.
Hygiene – A healthy skin regimen should include no
harsh scrubbing or over-washing, because this can cause
possible skin irritation or possible over production of oil
to replace what’s washed off, clogging pores in the process.
Products with gentle exfoliation ingredients are OK to use;
i.e. not scratchy nut or fruit shell pieces that can tear
skin. And skip alcohol products when possible; these can
take off the top layer of your skin and cause your glands to
product more oil, clogging pores in the
process.
If you do spot acne-troubled areas, do NOT mess with
them. Remember that these are already weeks in the
making, and squeezing or picking blemishes can force the
infected area to regress back inside, further troubling
the region and possibly leave a scar. If necessary, seek
help from a dermatologist for alternative
treatments.
5.
Products - Here are some of the more popular
products on the market to help with the prevention and
spreading of acne:
• Benzoyl
Peroxide: Helps destroy the bacteria that cause
acne.
• Proactiv®
Solution: A dermatologist formulated 3-Step acne management
system - combining prescription- grade ingredients that work
together to heal and prevent acne or combination therapy /
acne management system.
•
Salicylic Acid: Helps to unclog pores and renew
skin.
•
Retinoids: Synthetic derivatives of Vitamin A that
unclog pores and aid in sloughing.
•
Antibiotics: They help destroy bacteria and decrease
inflammation.
• Oral
Contraceptives: Help with hormone level
management.
•
Anti-Androgens: These help with the reduction of sebum
production and comedone formation, i.e. they inhibit the
body's production of acne-causing
hormones.
•
Isotretinoin (Accutane): an effective acne control
medication especially for the treatment of severe cystic or
nodular acne.
6.
Shaving – Shaving for both genders is actually an
excellent way of exfoliating or removing dead skin to help
with the prevention and spreading of acne instead of leaving
the remains to clog pores. And for some light acne cases
already in process, shaving can help rid whiteheads and
blackheads from the face. A word of caution: for areas with
infection or high inflammatory activity (redness, sensitive,
open acne, sores, etc.), do not shave. Or at the very least,
use a shaving cream for sensitive skin.
For best results with regular shaving, follow these
procedures:
First steer
away from shaving creams that are oily and choose one for
sensitive skin if available. Then moisten facial or other
hair with warm water, apply the shaving cream and lather
well. Shave with a sharp (not dull) blade. Note when
shaving, use gentle swipes instead of heavy pressure ones
that can irritate acne-prone areas. And go with the flow or
“grain;” in other words, adapt to downward, lateral, angular
or upward swipes, for a smoother shave with less nicks and
irritating backward motions. Experiment with different
razors, both electric and disposable, with single- double-
or triple-edged (mach III) heads to see which works best for
you. And try shaving in a warm shower for better results.
For after shaving applications, try toning to stop bacteria
dead in its tracks before it gets into your open follicles.
Here are some suggestions: try antibiotic gel or lotion,
witch hazel, Dalacin T, a mild alcohol-free toner,
Benzoyl Peroxide in gel form and Salicylic
Acid in a gel.
Shaving
Tip:
Electric razors may not shave as close to the skin; however,
they help with the prevention of acne and other skin
breakouts and flare-ups better.
Shaving
Tip:
If a non-electric razor is your choice, a single-edged blade
is actually better. Why? Because double- and triple-edged
blades grab hair follicles and pull them out from below the
epidermis. And in the process, your skin “heals itself” by
closing over these holes, making it difficult for future
hair follicles to grow outward – creating inflammation in
the tight areas.
7.
Stress – Since your skin in your largest organ, how
you live can sure influence how healthy your skin is. And
stress, not necessarily “bad” stress, but rather certain
external and internal stressors, factor into this health
equation. So let’s take a look at how to handle these
stressors with regards to acne prevention.
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