ACNE (PIMPLES) Acne is a common problem faced by almost all teen-agers and youth. What is acne and why do we get them. Acne is actually caused because of hormone imbalance. Your skin breaks out because of a hormone called testosterone. Both men and women have testosterone in their systems. In fact, did you know that in order to make testosterone, boys bodies have to make female hormones first? If you have acne, you haven't got abnormal levels of testosterone. You've got skin that reacts abnormally to this hormone. You start producing testosterone around the time you start sprouting body hair. Testosterone tells glands in your skin, called sebaceous glands, to produce oily stuff called sebum. To add to the problem the inside of the tubes that hold each hair become gummy and get partially blocked - giving you blackheads. Put together if sebum blocks the tubes --- you have big acne.
So go to your pharmacist or doctor to get your acne treated. Here are a few tips that will help you know how to treat acne at home.
1. If you have red angry looking acne, don't touch it. If you squeeze now, all you'll do is force the contents deeper into the skin that will make matters worst. And all you'll end up with is redder, angrier acne than you had before. Don't do it.
2. If you have a yellow custard top? Go for it. These beauties CAN be squeezed but there's an art to it. Here's how. Wash your hands thoroughly to avoid trouble and infection. Put a tissue over your finger. Why? Because you want the contents of the spot on the tissue, not splattered all over the mirror. Using the side of your thumb and the end of your finger, very gently start to squeeze. Don't whatever you do, use your nails as this will damage your skin. Stop when you're applying a lot of pressure and nothing is happening and you see clear fluid, rather than yellow grotty stuff and the spot begins to bleed. When you've finished dab it with antiseptic. Once the custard bit is out, the spot will heal more quickly than an unsqueezed yellow top would, providing that you now leave it well alone. Now wash your hands again.
3. Whiteheads and blackheads. If acne is left untreated they may cause this problem. Here the rule is if they're black, squeeze but if they're small, white raised lumps leave them alone. All that stuff about clean hands, tissues and stopping if nothing is happening or you see blood, apply here too.
Tips for acne treatment 1. DON'T TRY TO WASH IT AWAY
Acne isn't caused by dirt. In fact people with oily skin have cleaner skin than average because they wash it more often. But it's a fact that washing too much can make acne worse because it makes the skin dry and sore. So, wash no more than twice a day, using mild soap and water. If you have patches of dry skin, don't worry about putting moisturizer on. It won't make your acne worse. If you're still concerned, use an oil free moisturizer.
2. DON'T NUKE 'EM
There are lots of over the counter creams, gels, lotions and potions. Most contain a powerful bleaching agent called benzoyl peroxide. You'll find the strength written on the label. You might be tempted to go straight for the highest sort, working on the 'let's nuke 'em principle. The likely result is that you'll irritate your skin like mad. It may also go all dry and scaly on you. But if you still are willing to bleach then use the mild one.
3. MAKE A DATE - THE TWO MONTH RULE
If you have been using over the counter remedies for two months and there is no real improvement in your spots, this is the moment to go and make an appointment with your doc.
4. YOUR DOCTOR - THE TWO MONTH RULE
The thing you are most likely to be given by the doctor is a prescription for antibiotics. These will either be topical (which means something you put on your skin) or tablets you have to take every day. Whatever treatment your doctor or pharmacist recommends, follow the instructions carefully and keep using for at least two months. There should be a noticeable improvement by this time. If not, go back to discuss other possible treatments Antibiotics are perfectly safe to take. You should take them for at least two months and then go back to your doc. If they seem to be working, he will probably tell you to keep taking them and give you some more. If they aren't doing their stuff, don't despair - he has loads of other spot busters in his black bag.
5. YOU ARE NOT AN ALIEN - BUT JUST BE PATIENT
Hundreds of thousands of teenagers seek help for acne. You are not alone. You are not an alien. And if people really care about you, they don't even notice your acne, however bad you think they are. But you will need to be patient. Most treatments take time to work. At least two months. And some treatments, like antibiotics will work well but may have to be taken for months, or even years.
6. THE MONTHLY CURSE... OR EXAMS
Acne does tend to get worse just before a period. It's because there is a surge in hormone levels at this time. But boys don't get away lightly either. Being hot and sweaty (particularly after sports like football) makes acne worse. And for everyone, stress - particularly at exam times - is a cue for a mega breakout. This is normal - and of course, even more reason for feeling stressed. Go chill. They'll get better - promise.
7. WATCH WHAT YOU PUT ON YOUR SKIN AND HAIR
Some beauty products are big no-nos. These include pomades and defrizzing agents for hair that tend to cause an outcrop of blackheads along the hairline and some of the heavier cosmetics. And be wary of suntan oils. Not all will make you break out, but some may. Try a friend's first before you buy. By the way, the sun might dry up acne and a tan might hide them, but your skin is still vulnerable in the sun and needs protection.
8. CARRY ON KISSING
You can't catch acne during kissing - go for it!
9. CARRY ON EATING CHOCOLATE
It's a myth that eating chocolate and fried foods causes acne. However, eating a good diet improves your general well-being and this is reflected in your skin.
Common Questions asked about acne problem Does wearing make up cause acne?
It is not necessary that wearing make up causes acne. Acne is caused because of hormonal imbalance mostly during puberty. But you have to take special care while you apply make up and thereafter if you have acne. Make sure you wash any make up tools, including sponges and brushes as often as possible as these become a breeding ground for bugs which can cause your spots to pop up. Stop wearing make up if you have too many spots and you can resume after you have treated them. Don't forget to clean the make up after you come home and and make sure you cleanse your face properly each night.
Do skin toner and moisturizer cure acne?
One thing that you need to know is acne is not caused by dirt, so no amount of cleaning and toning is going to get rid of them. So for treating acne you must consult your doctor and eat lots of healthy food and drink lots of water. That is the natural way to keep you face spot free.
Is it ok to do facial?
It can be a real treat to have the facial done, as they can be very relaxing and make you feel properly pampered. However, you should be aware that they should not be used to help 'treat' spots, as this can be quite dangerous if the beauty therapist is not trained. Sometimes a beauty therapist will also squeeze out any spots and blackheads that if it's not done properly, may cause a bigger problem than before.
What is the best way to cover up spots?
Foundation is okay to use and may give you more confidence if you've got a hot date, but remember to look for oil-free one. Whatever you use to put on your skin, wash your hands or sponge before applying foundation.
Replies:
EEEEERggg HELP{P
I have really bad acne!!
Ive tried so much
proactive
clearecel
lemmon juice and aspron
++++++SO MUCH MORE+++++
.... so is there like another way to clear my zits??????????????????????????
Proactiv
proactiv really does work for some people, but not everyone. The important thing you have to remember with proactiv is that you have to use the 3 steps properly. If you skip one of the steps, don't expect any results from proactiv.
i had really bad acne and i
i had really bad acne and i kept trying acne washes. All they did was make my skin dry, or make me break out even worse. I also wasn't patient and kept popping pimples. But i've learned that if you rub toothpaste on the infected areas and right when you feel the toothpaste becoming cold on your skin, you wash it off with warm water. Because there is peroxide and other things in the toothpaste, it makes pimples smaller and flat so you wont be tempted to pick on your acne! it really does work!!!
I started breaking out when
I started breaking out when I was 17 and Im 21 now its horrible and miserable to have this and when u talkin to someone u kinda fell uncomfortable cuz u wonder what they are thinkin about your face EEEKKKKKKK !!! :(
Neutrogena
I use Rapid Clear Defense Face Lotion, Blackhead Eliminating Daily Scrub, and the many more of the oil free products that Neutrogena has. I highly support Neutrogena. Go theor website and read more about their products. They really do help (:
think its different for everyone
yer i've had em for years
more recently they have been getting much much worse though (as in more of them and redder)
Something worthy of note maybe though... i dont really get any on my forehead, just on my cheeks and chin where im getting stubble/beardo now (16 years old) - so that makes me think its not really as much a diet problem possibly...well i dunno really!
recently i've been washing my face with some special soaps but as i said its been getting worse
anddd i know i definately have been drinking a lot less water lately...
so my plan atm is to drink more more more water.
but yehh i think it will be different for everyone - i tried the antibiotics topical stuff from doctors a year back and that did nothing for me. (If anything it just annoyed me - everytime i asked for something new at the doctors they just said "just give it more time" grrr!)
acne scars
whenever i pop a pimple it always leaves a brown circle on my forehead :[
how do you get rid of it?
im desperete for answerss
please helpp
toothpaste!
trust mii put toothpaste on ur acne at night and u wil see such a difference i only had the one spot but mine went in the time that i slept dat night!!! But i am still tryin hard 2 search for easy remedies.
soo helpful
Thankyou soo much everyone. All this stuff has been soo helpful
I'm 15 and I rarely get
I'm 15 and I rarely get acne, but when I do its the andry red ones on my nose, they always hurt and are very annoying. Does toothpaste/shaving cream ect. work for these, or only for the whiteheads and black heads?
This is gonna sound crazy but..
try putting pee on a pimple. it'll really clean it out and help it heal faster. only the ones that you've popped though, it doesn't do anything for un popped ones. good luck
DON'T try this. please.
DON'T try this. please.
Not working,
Ive been using this clean and clear acne wash for a bit and the pimples seem to slowly go away, but it takes a really long time.
I'd like to get rid of the pimples in about a month ,
but they dont ever seem to go away easy!
I have never really had completely clear skin,
and nothing really seems to work for me!
does anyone have some quick effective tips to getting rid of the pimples in a month?
thanks!
Stop!?!?!?!?!?
stop fighting over what works or not differnt people have varried diets washing habits cleaning habits etc. differnt things work for differnt people thats why after a couple over the counter things that didnt work its good to see your doctor
long time
I am 17 and have acne since i was around 12, it started on my forehead and is not all over including my shoulders, neck, back, and that place behind your knee where it bends....
I have tried all that expensive stuff, the big kits and the small tubes of acne terminator and neutrogena etc. ive also used the wipes and tried toothpaste a few times but it burns very bad for me. my grandma has given me so over the counter stuff called noritate cream ive used it for 3 days so far but no results.. she also left me with st ives apricot scrub and st ives firming mask ( the green face mask ) and ive used that for one day so far.. ive used so many things i have almost given up and i doupt this will work ethier.. i dont drink much water mostly soda and tea and those coffee energy drinks:( and i got boating fishing swimming in the lake a whole lot! i also however play computer games a lot stay up late and all that... when i go fishing i stay up from morning one day until noon the next day....
Does anyone have any good tips that work? what i get are mostly ALL whiteheads and i pop them all and they turn into red angry ones i also here and there gets larger things under my skin that are not visible but painfull when touched and you can feel them they feel very hard
I have used 90 and 70 % alchahol but i wasnt sure if it was a good idea to use it so i stopped...
I also for the past 3 days have been using clearasil once and night and once in the morning
Oxy Daily wash and Oxy Pads
I've used Proactive but it dries my skin and tends to make it look cracked or it starts to peel. I've also tried Clean and Clear but that hardly does anything for my acne. I've tried using that Oxy Daily Wash and then the Oxy Pads after it. Yeah okay it's made for guys but it works really well. I recommend trying it and see if it works. ^-^
Does toothpaste work
Does toothpaste actually work
Do you leave it on overnight or do you leave it on for a few hours?
Ive got bad acne on my fore head and it gets worse wen im on my period Which i understand but i no its still there
and your confidence just drops
it does work and doesnt!?!?!?!
Ok for all of you ppl tht have tried proactive and anything to help cure acne..... not everybodys skin is the same we all have different skin and works differently try using any of clean and clear and proactive etc ..... if it doesnt work that means tht your skin is not addapting to it but some of these do work i use velocity by mary kay and honestly it does work but it works over time dont expect your acne to go away in a day it may disappear but it is still there inside your skin try not waring tons of make up and clean your face every night and day................. Oh and something else that works is an aveno bar wash your face with water and rub the bar in your hands and add sugar this makes your skin so soft and gets rids of blackheads and other type of pimples but like i said not all skin is the same so be patience
different skins
it really depend on ur skin. sum stuff works and sum dont. u should try different ones.
oh btw... i'm 15 and i got acnes all over. well.. yeah. but most of them are scars. how do u get rid of scars?
Proactiv : good and bad
I have used Proactiv off and on since it came out (each time I have used it for about 4 months). It gets really bad for 2 week, then gets better... for about a week max. I have bad acne, but all my friends who have mild acne say that Proactiv works for them. If you have bad acne, just skip it! Proactiv is WAAAY too expensive to waste your time on.
I also have back-ne and I use Purpose cleansing soap. Before I take a shower i rub it on my back, then wash it off in the shower. That has worked the best for me. As far as face acne, i have found no solution
i hate acne!
in the past i had very clear skin, but this year ive seen my skin take a turn for the worse. i do squeeze and pick quite often.. almost every other night. i know its bad for your skin but i find myself obsessing over every single blemish blackhead and/or pimple on my face. i dont know if my constant picking is causing more pimples to surface and making my very small blemishes appear larger and worse than they actually are. i just ordered myself proactiv because i cant seem to find a solution to my problem. im leaving for my first year of college in 2 weeks and im hoping i can find a facial wash or product that i can use daily, but at the same time, will also mantain my acne and improve the quality of my skin.
my skin is often dry but sometimes oily.. i would say i have combination skin. do you think proactiv will work for me? does it get worse before it gets better? does it really help your skin? if someone could answer my questions it would be greatly appreciated. *and does anyone have a solution that gets rid of problem acne fast, such as a cream i could use overnight. let me know asap thanks!
LAUREN
I have really bad acne.
I've tryd everthing.
Clean && clear, Neoxzema, Blemish control.
All that. I just dnt find the solucion im about to try proactiv. But ppl keep saying " It doesn't work blahh blahh."
Mahh acne is really badd. I pop them i know i souldn't that's why it gets worst.
It get's red && i get scarrs from poping them. All over mahh face i have acne but i have more on mahh cheeks then anywhere else.
Im 14 && i dnt wonna keep fighting with mahh acne && poping them isn't the solucion i just need ahh product that can really help.
If someone know's something that can cure mahh problem yuhh contact mii at mahh e-mail.
Dominican_boii14@hotmail.com
GAH
i HATE acne, i know ppl who hav had it way after teenage years, i bet its a myth that it goes away, 4 sum ppl it duz but prolly by the time you've tried every trick in the book 2 get rid of acne you'll either have grown out of it (unlikely :( ) or you're dead. i'm nearly 14 and ive suffered from it 4 WAY too long, i doubt any trick that has been publicisized or advertised is just another company trying to make money out of us. i dont wanna giv up tryn tho incase SUMTHING might work, i guess just try and keep a happy face, tho i h8 it wen ppl say "if ppl really lyk u they wont notice the acne" most of them r ppl with the CLEAREST skin in the world. ppl lyk that dont realise how much it sux to have skin like mine/ours.
i guess just keep up hope and keep ur face clean at all times if possibl hopefully us teens will grow out of it ;)
ive tried makeup duznt realy work i get the feeling it clogs up pores n all that but i think if u cant get rid of acne short term USE MAKEUP. while ur suffering u may as well hav a CONFIDENCE boost. im on the look out 4 powder foundation to wear on top of liquid foundation if u can apply it right u may just b a bit mor happier. i havnt reached that stage yet unfortunately no money 2 buy powder foundation lol. but if u wear makeup make sure u do it well wat hurts mor than anything is when ppl sneer at u wearin makeup or make comments lyk "dont u h8 it when ppl wear make up over their acne?" once mor these ppl r ppl with clear skin.
well keep up hope anyway, dont stop tryn (i sure wont) GOOD LUCK to every one out there with skin problems i hope that we wil all find a cure sum day.
even just finding this page with all these ppl like me is a def confidence boost xx
GAH ACNE >: (
i HATE acne, i know ppl who hav had it way after teenage years, i bet its a myth that it goes away, 4 sum ppl it duz but prolly by the time you've tried every trick in the book 2 get rid of acne you'll either have grown out of it (unlikely :( ) or you're dead. i'm nearly 14 and ive suffered from it 4 WAY too long, i doubt any trick that has been publicisized or advertised is just another company trying to make money out of us. i dont wanna giv up tryn tho incase SUMTHING might work, i guess just try and keep a happy face, tho i h8 it wen ppl say "if ppl really lyk u they wont notice the acne" most of them r ppl with the CLEAREST skin in the world. ppl lyk that dont realise how much it sux to have skin like mine/ours.
i guess just keep up hope and keep ur face clean at all times if possibl hopefully us teens will grow out of it ;)
ive tried makeup duznt realy work i get the feeling it clogs up pores n all that but i think if u cant get rid of acne short term USE MAKEUP. while ur suffering u may as well hav a CONFIDENCE boost. im on the look out 4 powder foundation to wear on top of liquid foundation if u can apply it right u may just b a bit mor happier. i havnt reached that stage yet unfortunately no money 2 buy powder foundation lol. but if u wear makeup make sure u do it well wat hurts mor than anything is when ppl sneer at u wearin makeup or make comments lyk "dont u h8 it when ppl wear make up over their acne?" once mor these ppl r ppl with clear skin.
well keep up hope anyway, dont stop tryn (i sure wont) GOOD LUCK to every one out there with skin problems i hope that we wil all find a cure sum day.
even just finding this page with all these ppl like me is a def confidence boost xx
heh toothpaste i have no
heh toothpaste i have no idea if it works or not i tried putting it on as a face mask and OMG it feels like your face is inside the oven i started tearing lawl..... then i washed it off and it didnt help.. putting it under a bandage on a spot of acne makes it flatter but i didnt see it going away
keep it natural
I had not much of a problem regarding pimples... I once had them for a short time during my college years but they were quickly gone without a trace.My advice is to keep as natural as possible.... keep your hands and hair away from your face as much as possible...apply little make-up, while they are not the real culprits of pimples some cosmetic ingredients may not suit you leading to break-outs... keep everything that touches your face clean-your hanky, towels,pillows, blankets...do not forget to wash your face with a mild soap or facial wash and clean water two times a day.... and of course nothing beats eating a well balanced diet and drinking enough water to keep your skin blemish-free... :-)
use natural products soap...coconut
hey guyz.. like omgsh! reading thru was like wow! didnt fink anybody else had dis big problem of "pimples!" aurrghh!! i know. like totally sux huh? o weL, yeah. like wen i do breakout, i get a cuple of dem and omgsh dey are usually red as hell.. seriously! total torture..lol. but! i use coconut soap (itz dis tropical island soap) it really duz work!!! totally.. use it wen u shower, or weneva.... i get so paranoid with my pimples, i wash my face with this soap and it feels refreshing and in a couple of days there's a big differnce!!
..
hey, I never really had bad
hey,
I never really had bad acne just the occasional pimple and if i got one it really annoyed me. Anyway then about 6 months ago i went on the pill and my skin sort of cleared up but not a bit difference, BUT i got this disgusting acne rash on my chest and higher back. When i was on the pill i got one or 2 pimples on my face just before my period was due but i still had this rash, so i went off the pill and the rash is gone but im worried my skin on my face will break out soon. Does anyone know if it will?
Thanks.
what do you do if putting
what do you do if putting ANYTHING on your face (Cetaphil, Noczema, shampoo, makeup) makes it break out more?
Note to everyone above for whom nothing has yet worked-- don't lose heart. You are not alone :) At least hundreds of thousands of people have/had problems with acne. To paraphrase Thomas Edison, "At least we know one thousand things that don't work. The trick is finding number 1,001." Everyone's skin is different. Somewhere out there, there is most likely a remedy that will work for you.
*One more thing to try: Grind up about a quarter cup of rolled or quick oatmeal (make sure they're plain, unflavored and as few additives as possible) until they're only about twice as coarse as flour. Dab a little clean water on a small portion of your face (with Clean hands) and rub a little oatmeal on it, gently massaging in circles until it's pasty. Then rinse that portion of your face and move on to the next one. Do this for your entire face. Then rinse your whole face off again and pat dry with an absolutely clean towel.
This won't cure zits, exactly. but it works excellently for gently deep cleaning one's face and preventing acne. Especially if, like me, even soaps for 'sensitive skin' make your breakouts worse.
I hope this helps somebody out there and good luck to everyone!
question
i only have acne on my forehead. if i will try to use an acne treatment facial wash, do i have to use it on my entire face or just my forehead?
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