Adolescent Acne Form

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What Can I Do? - Tips to Help Control Acne

The best way to zap zits is to prevent them from showing up in the first place! The skin is an external manifestation of the health of the body. In addition, to using Chinese Herbal Medicine, good skin care and a healthy lifestyle can help minimize acne breakouts. Below is a list of suggestions to help you achieve a clear complexion:

• Proper Washing – Since teenagers produce more oil, it is important to wash your skin twice a day, especially after exercise. Always wash before you go to bed. Since your skin does need some sebum (i.e. oil) in order to stay healthy, don’t be tempted to over-wash as your sebaceous glands could pay you back by producing more oil. Clean your skin gently with a mild, non-drying soap (like Dove, Neutrogena, or Basics), removing all dirt or make-up. Another suggestion is to wash your face using only lemon and a little white granule sugar. Just apply the lemon juice to your face, leave it on and pat some dry white sugar on your face. Using your hands, rinse off. Wash your hair every day. Greasy hair rubbing on your skin or transferring grease by playing with your hair and then touching your face will make acne worse. Avoid scrubbing your skin or using abrasive soaps. Hard scrubbing of the skin is harmful because it irritates the openings of the oil glands and can cause them to be more tightly closed.
  
  
• Choose your Products Wisely - If you wear make-up, be sure it’s oil-free (i.e. water based) and non-comedogenic — that means it won’t clog your pores and worsen your breakouts. Wash make-up off at night. Avoid hair tonics or hair creams (especially greasy ones). When you sweat, these substances will spread to your face and aggravate the acne.
  
  
• To Squeeze or Not to Squeeze? Squeezing or picking your blemishes with fingernails, pins or anything else can force bacteria deeper into the skin. This can cause greater inflammation and infection, increasing the chances that your pimple will leave a permanent scar. Remember, a zit that’s bugging you today will go away if treated properly; if you pick at it, it may stick around forever.
  
  
• Hands off! The bacteria that causes acne, Propionibacterium acnes, hangs out on your skin all the time; it doesn't lead to acne until it gets trapped inside the hair follicle. Touching your face, including rubbing or even resting your chin in your hands, can drive bacteria into your pores — where it can begin its dirtywork.
  
  
• Accessorize wisely - Heat and friction (rubbing) can cause acne flare-ups. So steer clear of hats and headbands — and if your sports team requires you to wear a helmet or any other equipment that might rub against your skin, try lining it with a layer of clean, soft cotton. And remember to shower immediately after exercising.
  
  
• Clean Linens - Change washcloths, towels and pillowcases every two to three days as they can collect bacteria and return it to the skin each time the item is used.
  
  
• Reduce Stress - Some research studies have found a direct link between acne and stress levels. The body produces hormonal steroids when under stress. These steroids target the skin in a disruptive manner and acne flare-ups may coincide with increased stress. Proper exercise and daily relaxation help to lessen the harmful effects of stress and therefore indirectly keep the skin healthy and free from acne.
  
  
• Drink Water - Drink an adequate amount of water daily. Lack of water can lead to dehydration, which can further lead to blocked pores and acne. Water will keep your skin beautifully hydrated but not oily.
  
  
• Be Smart About Sun - If you think tanning helps your acne, you’re right — and wrong. Small amounts of sun exposure may improve acne for a few days. But suntans (and burns) also make you shed your dead skin cells faster, so in the long run, you’ll end up with more clogged pores. And that means more acne. In addition, if you are using sunscreen look for sun protection products that are oil-free and have a “sun protection factor” (or SPF) of at least 15 for both UVA and UVB rays.
  
  
• Stop Smoking
  
  
• Improve Your Diet - A healthy and well-balanced diet affects the health and efficiency of your body and that includes your skin. Below are food tips for acne free skin:
  • Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables
  • Eat a High-fiber diet – Fiber fills you up - thereby minimizes the likelihood of a person eating the wrong foods. A high fiber diet also ensures that an individual has regular bowel movements which is important for those with acne.
  • Eliminate sugars and refined carbohydrates
  • Reduce (or eliminate) milk consumption
  • Avoid caffeine especially chocolate and coffee
  • Avoid fried and greasy foods
  • Avoid ‘trigger’ foods - The consensus among health professionals is that acne sufferers should experiment with their diets, and refrain from consuming such fare if they find certain foods affect the severity of their acne.
  • Avoid or reduce iodine-rich foods, such as liver, cheese, iodized salt, kelp products, clams, crabs and other shellfish. Iodine has been associated with acne, and should be avoided. Iodine is also used in commercial breads and in processing milk. Seafood may contain relatively high levels of iodine, but probably not enough to cause an acne breakout. Still, people who are prone to acne may want to avoid excessive consumption of iodine.