Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Tips on Caring for Acne-Prone Skin

Acne is one of the many skin problems experienced by people. According to statistics, almost 17 million Americans are affected by acne - 85% of which belonging to the age range of 12-24 years old. While there are a lot of over-the-counter acne products and skin care lines available today, a lot of people still resort to misinformed ways of acne skincare like the following:


Frequent face washing

Since excess oil and dirt are among the causes of acne, some people have this misguided notion that frequently washing one's face can prevent and treat acne. However, this is not the case. Doing so only worsens acne since the skin is stripped off protective lipids which can make it sensitive, dry, and prone to irritations.


Toothpaste

Toothpaste has antiseptic properties which can cause a pimple to dry out. However, while applying toothpaste to acne may be effective to some, it can cause greater damage to others especially if applied for over time. Toothpaste can dry out surrounding areas and “burn” pimple spots which can lead to discolorations.


Sun exposure

Probably one of the most idiotic acne myth to surface, some people swear by this. However, sun exposure can only lead to one thing: skin damage. Tans and darker skin tones only hide or camouflage acne but a closer look and touch will reveal bumps and zits. This can make the acne situation worse since sun exposure can make one's skin dry, flaky, discolored, and extra-sensitive.


While the above-described methods may work for some people, they come with risks of worse skin health. If you want to get rid of your acne healthily, professional assistance is still necessary for effective treatment of severe acne. A dermatologist can help treat acne better than skin care specialists at spas or skin clinics. Here is why:


Accurate diagnosis

Acne can come in several forms: whiteheads, blackheads, and pimples. However, there are also skin conditions that look similar to acne but are totally different. One example is the skin condition called keratosis pilaris that is manifested by tiny bumps much like whiteheads. A dermatologist can tell a patient whether the problem is really acne or just an acne-like condition.


Information

Dermatologists take time to discuss patients’ medical history, diet, and other factors which may have contributed to the development of acne. This way, patients get informed on how their skin conditions came to be. As such, they are able to avoid activities that can worsen their acne.


More savings

Since a dermatologist can provide patients with a correct and accurate diagnosis, the risks of wasting money on ineffective and inappropriate treatment are eliminated. As such, patients do not have to spend on extra dermatologist visits to correct treatment mistakes.


Whether you decide on seeking professional acne skincare help or using over-the-counter acne products, some health skin habits come in handy when dealing with acne:


* Stick to skincare products that are specific to your skin type.
* Wash your face for a maximum of two times a day to relieve it of excess oil and dirt.
* Moisturize using products suitable for your skin type even if you think that you are oily.
* Stop picking on your zits and pimples to avoid scarring.


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Kristine Anne Gonzaga is a content writer and researcher who specializes in health topics and health-related issues. She delights in finding tips and ideas on simple and practical healthcare and sharing them through her writing.


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