If you've had to deal with acne, whether it's just the occasional spot or unrelenting breakouts, you know how frustrating it can be. Although the root cause of all acne is the same, body acne requires different treatment. The skin on your face is thinner and has more blood supply, which promotes faster healing and prevents scarring. The skin on other body parts prone to acne, especially the back, is much thicker and can handle treatments which would normally be considered too harsh for the face. The tips below will help you know how to prevent and treat acne.
Facial acne This is the most common type of acne, and the most noticeable. There are many products (in both beauty and medical categories), which are specially formulated to treat acne. Most acne facial breakouts can be easily treated with proper daily beauty regimen of cleansing, toning, moisturising, and sunscreen. Facial cleansers and exfoliators containing astringent properties like salicylic acid are known to be quite effective. If you find store-bought solutions pricey, consider this DIY. 1. Crush an aspirin tablet, 2. Mix it with a little bit of water to make a paste 3. Apply it to the affected area. 4. Keep the mask on for 15 minutes and then rinse off with warm water.
Salicylic acid in aspirin is known to reduce swelling, unclog pores, and soften thick scaly skin. You can mix the aspirin paste with a tablespoon of honey and plain yoghurt to make a soothing mask.
Body acne Body acne can be just as frustrating to treat as facial acne. The skin on your back, butt, arms, chest and legs has larger pores, which can get clogged with dirt, sweat, and dead skin cells. Body acne can also be caused by irritation from body lotions, shower gels, or soaps. Another culprit for body acne is friction and irritation from unbreathable fabric such as polyester and nylon. Poor diet choices, stress and allergies to medication can also be to blame. The treatment for body acne is mostly the same as for facial acne, only a little stronger. Dermatologists recommend the use of benzoyl peroxide body washes which treat infected zits while also sloughing off dead skin cells. Tip: Look for body washes and gels containing salicylic acid or lactic acid. Invest in a body scrub; a good quality body scrub is a shower must-have for anyone with body acne. It helps get rid of dirt and dead cell buildup, preventing and treating acne. If you are a sporty person, you should shower immediately after your gym session or activity. Wear loose, breathable clothes- especially when the weather is hot. Tight clothes trap sweat and bacteria into your pores, making the problem worse.
Pregnancy acne Many women suffer from acne, especially in the first and second trimesters. This is due to an increase in hormones called androgens which can cause the glands in your skin to grow and produce more sebum. This can lead to more breakouts and inflammation. Women who are prone to acne breakouts during their menstrual periods are more likely to have pregnancy acne. The good news is that pregnancy and post natal acne is temporary. It will clear up once your hormones return to normal. Otherwise, pregnancy acne should be treated the same as any other acne breakout. However, don't use harsh products without consulting your doctor.
GLANCE BOX Many people think of acne as a teenage problem, but medical surveys show that plenty of people of different age groups are susceptible to acne. To prevent and treat acne, you first have to understand what causes it. Causes: 1. Clogged pores 2. Bacterial infections 3. Genetics 4. Hormones 5. Unhealthy diet 6. Stress Sebaceaous glands in the skin produce oil, which can combine with dead skin cells, sweat, and dirt to clog pores. This in turn provides fertile ground for bacterial growth. Ultimately, this means your skin will suffer from acne breakouts and inflammation.
NOTE: There are two types of acne: inflammatory which is characterized by tender, red pimples that leave scars and non-inflammatory which is characterized by blackheads and whiteheads. If you have chronic inflammatory acne, you should probably consult a dermatologist for proper treatment.