Affordable Acne Treatments

That scourge of adolescence, acne, hits just about everyone at some time or another. Some people get off lightly, for others it becomes a big problem. There are a number of things to know about acne which can help most people avoid acne and reduce how much it affects them.

The causes behind acne

Sebum is the main cause behind most cases of acne. Normally, Sebum lubricates skin and hair to optimal levels of that they stay soft and smooth but not greasy or oily, as long as proper hygiene is followed. However, during puberty, hormones surge and can cause the skin to produce more Sebum than it needs, which can cause acne. The most frequent place acne occurs is in the ‘T zone’ which is the forehead, nose and chin. This is where acne usually strikes first and the hardest.

When pores become clogged, they become inflamed, which can cause pimples. This usually appears as a small white collection under the skin – more commonly referred to as “whiteheads.” At times, the top of the whitehead will turn darker and become whats known as a “bleackhead.” The whitehead only becomes a pimple after the whitehead becomes infected with bacteria.

How to take care of acne

There is more to acne care than just giving your face a good scrub numerous times a day. In fact, because acne is usually caused by overproduction of Sebum, over-cleansing areas by scrubbing too hard can actually make the problem worse, because you’ll stimulate more oil production. Increasing Sebum production will only compound the problem and cause the acne to multiply.

Acne control made easy

Do wash your face twice a day with warm water and soap specifically designed for acne. It is critical here that you DO NOT SCRUB! Instead, massage gently in a circular motion to remove excess oil, but do not irritate.

The next step is to find and apply a skin lotion that contains benzoyl peroxide, which will remove bacteria and reduce oil production. Most of these lotions also have moisturizer, which assists in moisturizing and preventing the regrowth and spread of acne.

A list of things for acne sufferers to avoid.

Don’t use moisturizers unless they are specifically formulated for oily skin or for those with acne.

These oil-based moisturizers can make your acne worse. DO use moisturizers specifically made for oily skin and/or those that contain benzoyl peroxide.

Don’t pop pimples.

Not only can this make the problem worse because it can spread the infection, but it can also cause permanent scarring.

Do not touch your face, if you have to, ensure that you have washed your hands first.

Common sense should rein here as you will have to touch your face during the washing process, but resist the urge during the day when your hands are dirty. You can transfer bacteria or other people’s sebum to your face, which can make breakouts worse.

Don’t wear tight clothing, and keep glasses and sunglasses clean.

Clothing that is tight or constricting (even headbands and scarves) pushes oil back into the pores and causes oil buildup. If you wear glasses, make sure you clean frames, etc., daily so that the parts that touch the bridge of your nose or other parts of your face are always clean. If you don’t do this, you could risk reinfecting yourself with bacteria from previous wearings.

If you must wear makeup, take it off before you go to sleep.

Buying water based makeup will be a step in the right direction. Keep your eyes peeled to ensure that it is labeled “noncomedogenic” or “nonacnegenic”.

Wear your hair back off your face.

Having hair touching your face can aggravate and spread acne to more areas of your face.

If you have tried these techniques and are still being plagued by acne, you should book a consultation with a dermatologist. He or she will have treatments and other options available for you if you can’t seem to keep it under control with normal methods. Most people however, will be able to control their acne by following the steps listed previously.

To find out more, visit a page on acne soluitions.