Tips and Hacks

Adult Acne: Get that smooth face back

Adult acne is a very embarrassing problem and can result in low self esteem. There is a common belief that acne issues cease after the teenage stage. However, research shows that approximately a quarter of women within the 31 to 40 age bracket have acne issues. It is not uncommon to have a sprinkling of pimples on your face as your face starts wrinkling. Getting to the root cause of the problem is the best remedy for adult acne. Teenage acne is different from adult acne and should be dealt with differently.

Types of acne

Before embarking on acne treatment, it is advisable that you first find out the exact type of acne affecting you. Different types of acne affect various parts of the body. T-zone acne, which affects the brow, the nose, and the chin, is different from acne affecting the neck and the jaw regions. Acne affecting the neck and jaw areas is caused by hormonal imbalances in the body and is more prevalent among women.

Food allergies

Intolerance and allergy to some specific types of foods can cause acne. Most common foods known to cause acne in adults are Wheat and Gluten. However, different people are allergic to different foods and the list can vary from one person to another. Contrary to myths, chocolate does not cause acne. The best treatment for acne caused by food intolerance, is avoiding the foods that trigger these allergic reactions or taking the necessary antibiotics. One of the most effective antibiotics is doxycycline.

Skin moisturization

Unlike teenage acne, when treating adult acne, more skin moisturization is necessary because as people get older, their skin tends to get drier. Hypoallergenic moisturizers have been found to be very effective. This can produce excellent results if combined with sunscreen, as it will not only heal the acne but also slow down aging. After bathing, avoid rubbing your skin dry as this will worsen the situation.

Hormonal changes

Acne is more prevalent in women than their male counterparts within any age group. This trend is caused by extra hormone-inducing processes in females. First, menopause triggers a change in hormonal levels in the body. This change is known to cause acne. Second, halting or changing birth control pills causes hormonal imbalance likely to trigger the same. Pregnancy too is associated with acne as hormonal changes accompany it. It is hence advisable to involve a doctor when selecting the most suitable birth control pill.

Stress

Mental stress is another major cause of acne in adults. Engaging in stress relieving practices more often goes a long way in doing away with stress type of acne. This includes physical exercise as it triggers sweating hence helping to remove any dirt or waste that might have clogged the sweat pores. A warm bath after the exercise will help wash away the dirt.

Skin care

You should always use only the prescribed skin care practices on your skin. It is thus advisable that you seek professional advice from a dermatologist on the skin care practices that best suit you as different skin care products suit different people. Substances that are harsh on the skin like salicylic acid and benzyl peroxide should be avoided at all costs. Many products that are gentle on the skin are available in the market today. Anti-Acne Treatment can also help in eradicating stubborn acne on your skin.

In severe cases, acne can be removed through surgery. Acne surgery is accompanied by the appropriate medical precautions and procedures. Squeezing pimples is not advisable as this causes ugly spots and in some cases, infection. Picking results in acne spreading, hence their removal should be left only to a professional medic. If a scar appears, don't panic as there are many products in the market that can help conceal it!

How to Remove Acne Scars Naturally

How do you get rid of acne scars? Just when you think the acne has gone, another problem arises. Acne scars are rather common after an acne breakout. Scars are the body's way of healing, but they can be a nuisance.

While you can have scars removed by surgical procedures or lasers, home remedies provide a much better option, since they are less invasive. Here are some home remedies to get rid of acne scars.

Lemon juice is effective for getting rid of acne scars because of its antiseptic properties Squeeze juice from a fresh lemon in a container. Dip a cotton ball in the juice, and rub it on your face. If your skin is sensitive, dilute it with a few drops of water. You can also rub a raw slice of raw lemon on the scars.

Homemade beauty masks are effective to get rid of acne scars, since the ingredients are natural. Mix enough water and oatmeal to make a paste. To increase effectiveness, use rose water. Spread it on the face, let it stand for fifteen minutes, then rinse with cool water. Honey is another excellent remedy, since it has properties to fade scars. Warm some natural, raw honey in the microwave, but don't get it too hot. Spread it on the face, leave ten minutes, then rinse.

The proper nutrition is essential for healing scars. Drink plenty of water to flush harmful toxins out of the body that delay healing. It should come as no surprise you should increase your intake of healthy foods. Include foods with high amounts of 'skin' vitamins: Vitamin C, Vitamin A, and Vitamin E.

Prevention is the best way to get rid of acne scars. Don't pop pimples. Regardless of what you may have heard, popping pimples only makes the acne worse, and increases the chance of scars. Keep oil away from the face as much as possible. Don't touch your face with dirty hands, and use oil-free cosmetics.

Natural ways to get rid of acne scars take longer. If the scars fail to fade, you are urged to visit your dermatologist.

Why Cold Weather Causes Blackheads

Why is this, exactly? It all comes down to dryness.

Basically, your skin creates more oil to make up for feeling parched in the colder air.

Dehydrated skin produces more oil and will go into overdrive. This can lead to breakouts and blackheads

The Best and Worst Ways to Get Rid of Blackheads During Winter

Fight the urge to pop any pimples. If you squeeze your blackheads, you can cause the follicle to rupture and induce the formation of an inflammatory lesion, or cyst. In other words, you can transform your blackhead into a much more serious skin condition.