How to deal with ACNE?

Acne is a skin condition that happens when your hair follicles become packed with oil and dead skin cells. It leads to whiteheads, blackheads or pimples. Acne is normmaly seen among teenagers, though it may affect people of all ages.

What is the difference between pimples and acne?

The difference between acne and pimples is that acne is a disease and pimples are one of its symptoms.

Underneath your skin layers, your pores are attached to glands that produce an oily substance known as sebum. The glands and pores are attached by a canal known as a follicle that has a thin hair that grows out to the skin’s surface.

When sebum and dead skin cells clump together, they form a plug in the follicle. Bacteria in the plug are the source of the inflammation, leading to the formation red pimples in acne. While acne is the skin condition.

What are the main causes of acne?

Four main factors that cause acne are:

Excess oil (sebum) production
Hair follicles blocked by oil and dead skin cells
Bacteria
Inflammation

Apart from these there are some conditions that may trigger or worsen your acne conditions like:

Hormonal changes: The hormones like Androgens, increase in boys and girls during puberty, this causes the sebaceous glands to enlarge and produce more sebum. Hormone changes during midlife, particularly in women, can lead to breakouts too.
Certain medications: Drugs containing corticosteroids, testosterone or lithium.
Diet: Consumption of certain foods which may include carbohydrate-rich foods, such as bread, rice and chips, may worsen acne.
Stress: Stress doesn't cause acne, but if you already have an acne condition , stress might make it worse.

How can you deal with you acne condition naturally?

For those dealing with acne-prone skin, it’s a constant battle to not only treat zits and spots but to prevent them from coming back. Here are come ways you can use:

Use an apple cider vinegar rinse:

A diluted ACV tonic acts as a natural astringent. It can kill the bacteria on the skin surface, while reinstating the balance to the skin pH. This helps to secure the skin barrier, which is a key factor for having a healthy skin.

It contains organic acids to kill bacteria, suppress inflammation, and improve the condition of acne scars.

How to use it:

Mix 1 part apple cider vinegar and 3 parts water (use more water for sensitive skin).
After cleansing, gently apply the mixture to the skin using a cotton ball.
Let sit for 5–20 seconds, rinse with water and pat dry.
Repeat this process 1–2 times per day, as needed.

Try tea tree oil as a spot treatment:

Tea tree oil is an essential oil that is extracted from the leaves of Melaleuca alternifolia. Tea tree oil is a well known acne-fighting component because of its bacteria-zapping and inflammatory powers. It is very strong, so always dilute it before applying it to your skin.

How to use it:

Mix 1 part tea tree oil with 9 parts water.
Dip a cotton swab into the mixture and apply it to the affected areas.
Apply moisturizer if desired.
Repeat this process 1–2 times per day, as needed.

Soothe the skin with aloe vera:

Aloe vera is a tropical plant whose leaves produce a clear gel. The gel is often added to lotions, creams, ointments, and soaps. It contains salicylic acid and sulfur, which are both used widely in the treatment of acne. Research has found that applying salicylic acid to the skin reduces acne.

How to use it:

Scrape the gel from the aloe plant out with a spoon.
Apply the gel directly to clean skin as a moisturizer.
Repeat 1–2 times per day, or as desired.

Exfoliate often:

Exfoliation is the procedure of removing the top layer of dead skin cells. Exfoliation may improve acne by removing the skin cells that clog pores. It may also make acne treatments for the skin more effective by allowing them to penetrate deeper, once the topmost layer of skin is removed.

You can use chemicals to achieve this, or exfoliate mechanically by using a brush or scrub to physically remove the cells. There are a wide variety of exfoliation products available. Note that mechanical exfoliation, such as with harsh scrubs or brushes, can be irritating and damage the skin. As such, some dermatologists recommend gentle chemical exfoliation with salicylic- or glycolic-acid-based products.

You can also go to the DIY route with this step too, choosing a fruit enzyme or a home-made scrub to slough off any dead skin cells on the surface.

How to make a scrub at home:

Mix equal parts sugar (or salt) and coconut oil.
Gently rub your skin with the mixture and rinse well.
Exfoliate as often as desired, up to once daily.

Steam your skin:

Steaming has been a popular practice to help detoxify and refresh the skin. The heat helps open up clogged pores (the pre-cursor to acne), making it easier to unplug and clean out. Plus, the heat also improves blood circulations, forcing blood and nutrients to rush to the skin and give you a glow. To amp it up, using a clay mask after really helps to draw all the impurities out.

Ice it:

While it may sound all too easy, cold temperatures can constrict the blood vessels and reduce redness in the area, a key factor if you're dealing with an inflamed, painful zit. Just be sure not to apply the ice directly on your skin to prevent burning the skin. Instead, wrap it in a napkin or paper towel and apply on your spot for a few seconds at a time.

Drink more water!

The easiest one of all, drinking enough water balances the oil and water content on the skin. This helps to prevent excess oil and sebum secretion, which means fewer clogged pores and acne. Plus, a hydrated body is able to improve the natural ability to detoxify as well.

When to see the doctor?

If self-care remedies don't clear your acne, see your primary care doctor. He or she can prescribe stronger medications. If acne persists or is severe, you may want to seek medical treatment from a doctor who specializes in the skin.

For many women, acne can persist for decades, with flares common a week before menstruation. This type of acne tends to clear up without treatment in women who use contraceptives. In older adults, a sudden onset of severe acne may signal an underlying disease requiring medical attention.

Seek emergency medical help if after using a skin product you experience:

Faintness
Difficulty breathing
Swelling of the eyes, face, lips or tongue
Tightness of the throat

How to prevent acne or pimples?

There are some healthy habits and tips that can help you prevent acne.

Keep your face clean.
Moisturize your face daily.
Try an over-the-counter acne product
Use makeup sparingly.
Watch what you put on your hair.
Keep your hands off your face.
Stay out of the sun.
Exercise daily.
Limit your stress and chill!

Myths about acne:

These factors have little effect on acne:

Chocolate and greasy foods: Eating chocolate or greasy food has little to no effect on acne.
Hygiene: Acne isn't caused by dirty skin. In fact, scrubbing the skin too hard or cleansing with harsh soaps or chemicals irritates the skin and can make acne worse.
Cosmetics: Cosmetics don't necessarily worsen acne, especially if you use oil-free makeup that doesn't clog pores (noncomedogenic) and remove makeup regularly. Nonoil cosmetics don't interfere with the effectiveness of acne drugs.

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