Acne is a skin condition that occurs when the oil glands in your skin are clogged and become inflamed or infected. More than 90% of teenagers have some acne.
With acne you will probably have:
- whiteheads, which are closed plugged oil glands
- blackheads, which are open plugged oil glands (the oil turns black when it is exposed to air)
- red bumps, which are inflamed oil glands (the larger red bumps are quite painful).
Acne usually appears on your face, neck, and shoulders.
What causes acne? Acne is due to an overactivity and plugging of the oil glands. The main cause of acne is an increased levels of hormones during adolescence. Heredity also plays an important role.
Acne is not caused by diet. A person who has acne does not have to avoid eating fried foods, chocolate, or any other food.
Acne is not caused by sexual activity. It is not caused by dirt or by not washing your face often enough.
- 1 Acne FAQs
- 1.1 Acne Myth Buster Survey
- 1.2 Topical retinoids
Acne Myth Buster Survey
How long does it last?
New whiteheads usually stop appearing after 4 to 6 weeks of treatment. You will probably need to continue the treatment for several years.
Acne usually lasts until age 20 or even 25. Do not worry about scarring. It is rare for acne to leave scars, although this can happen in severe cases.
How is it treated?
There is no medicine at this time that will cure acne. However, good skin care can keep acne under control and at a mild level.
What are basic treatments for all types of acne
- Wash your skin twice a day and after exercise. Use lukewarm water and wash gently. Do not scrub. The most important time to wash is bedtime. Use a mild soap such as Dove.
- Shampoo your hair daily. Pull your hair away from your face. Long hair can make acne worse by rubbing against your skin.
- Avoid picking and squeezing. Picking stops acne from healing. Squeezing causes bleeding into the skin and blotches that can last a month.
- 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.
- Avoid putting any oily or greasy substances on your face. Oily and greasy substances make acne worse by blocking oil glands. If you use cosmetics, use water-based cosmetics and wash them off at bedtime. Look for make-up, cosmetics, and skin care products with the word noncomedogenic on the label. This means that it does not cause or worsen acne.
- Avoid hair tonics or hair creams (especially greasy ones). When you sweat, these substances will spread to your face and aggravate the acne.
- If you are using acne medicine, don't stop using the medicine too soon. It takes 6-8 weeks to see a good response. After the acne clears up, you will need to continue the medicine for years. If you stop it, the acne will come back.
What are basic treatments for whiteheads (closed comedones)
Whiteheads should be treated with the following:
1. Benzoyl peroxide 5% or 10 % lotion or gel (Oxy-10 gel and other brands)
This lotion helps to open pimples and unplug blackheads. It also kills bacteria. It is available without a prescription. Ask your pharmacist to recommend a brand.
Apply the lotion once a day at bedtime. Redheads and blonds should apply it every other day for the first 2 weeks, and start with a lower strength preparation. An amount of lotion the size of a pea should be enough to cover most of your face. If your skin becomes red or peels, you are using too much of the medicine or applying it too often. Try using less of it or applying it less often. You may need to use this lotion for several years.
Caution: Benzoyl peroxide bleaches clothing, carpets, etc. Apply it only at bedtime and put it on sparingly.
A few people are allergic to Benzoyl peroxide. If you develop severe itching and redness, stop using it.
2. Pimple opening
In general, it is better not to "pop" pimples, but most teenagers do it anyway. Therefore, do it safely. Never open a pimple before it has come to a head. Wash your face and hands first. Use a sterile needle (sterilized by alcohol or a flame). Nick the surface of the yellow pimple with the tip of the needle. The pus should run out without squeezing. Wipe away the pus and wash the area with soap and water.
Scarring will not result from opening small pimples, but it can result from squeezing boils or other large, red, tender bumps.
What are treatments for blackheads (open comedones)
Blackheads should be treated with the following:
1. Benzoyl peroxide 5% or 10 % lotion or gel
This lotion is also excellent for removing thickened skin that blocks the openings to oil glands. Use the lotion as described above for whiteheads.
2. Blackhead extractor
Blackheads that are a cosmetic problem can sometimes be removed with a blackhead extractor. This instrument costs about a dollar and is available at any drugstore. By placing the hole in the end of the small metal spoon directly over the blackhead, you can apply uniform pressure that does not hurt normal skin. This method is much more efficient than anything you can do with your fingers. Soak your face with a warm washcloth before you try to remove blackheads. If the blackhead does not come out the first time, leave it alone.
What are treatments for red bumps
Large red bumps mean the infection has spread beyond the oil gland. If you have several red bumps, you probably also need an antibiotic. Antibiotics come as solutions for the skin or as pills. Examples are clindamycin (Cleocin), erythromycin, and dapsone (Aczone) gels, and doxycycline tablets. Your antibiotic is _________________________. Use it ________ times a day every day.
If you still have problems with acne, talk with your healthcare provider about prescription medicines such as retinoids or hormone pills, or other possible treatments.
For moderate or severe acne, the doctor will usually prescribe a topical retinoid such as tretinoin cream or Retin-A. This works by peeling off the top layer of the skin and preventing formation of whiteheads and blackheads. It is often used in combination with benzoyl peroxide, with the benzoyl peroxide applied in the morning and the tretinoin at bedtime. When using tretinoin, it is important to use a very small amount (just a few tiny dabs) and spread it evenly on the skin, keeping it away from the eyes, corners of the mouth, and folds of the nose. Blond and redheaded people should start by applying it every other day for the first two weeks. These medicines can cause increased sensitivity to sunburn, so it is important to use a facial sunscreen if you are going to be in a sunny place. Some dryness and peeling of the skin are normal with tretinoin. You can use a non-comedogenic facial cream to counteract this.
What are treatments of pimples on the back and chest
For body acne, try using a benzoyl peroxide acne wash, available without a prescription. An example is Clean & Clear. For more severe cases, the doctor may prescribe an oral antibiotic, such as doxycycline.
Over the Counter Drugs/Soaps
Q: I've tried a million over the counter products for acne and they work for a while and then they stop. I've tried oil-free cleansers, gels, cover-ups, and makeup - all of which claim they help acne-prone skin. But they're not; what am I doing wrong?
A: You're not doing anything wrong except wasting your money. The products you're buying don't work. Even though they are labeled oil-free, they really aren't oil-free. All products with the exception of water, are oil-based. Just like in the foods you eat, there are good oils and bad oils. The products that you have been using are full of bad oils and are producing new acne, not helping it. Over the counter eye shadows and lipsticks are fine, but when it comes to make-up and cleansers, the stuff you've been buying just isn't helping.
Q: What about all the acne soaps and astringents I use? I wash and scrub my face constantly, but I still break out. Why?
A: You can scrub all you want but it won't make a difference. Acne forms inside your hair follicles which are below the surface. The same thing goes for drying-out your skin with alcohol or astringents. All this does is clean the top layer of your skin, but it doesn't go inside the clogged hair follicles to clean them out. It's important to realize that your pimples are forming beneath the top layers of your skin and that over the counter products can't help you there. Most of the Acne Treatment Clinics offer topical medications which go deep into the clogged hair follicles to clean them out and prevent new pimples from forming. Whether you suffer from severe acne or occasional breakouts, DIY ebook solutions of Healthise work quickly giving you positive results.
Q: (Question asked to a popular manufacturer of skin care products) I've tried just about everything for my skin. What do you put in your products that make them so different?
A: It's not what we put in them, it's what we don't put in them. Our products are formulated without adding oils to interfere with their effectiveness. The skin treatment clinics have a safe, effective, and inexpensive skin care program that works. There are no side-effects, no sun-sensitivity, no pills, and no gimmicks.
Q: I'm very skeptical about new products, but I am avid reader of ebooks, especially since everything I've used up till now hasn't worked and most of the times ebook solutions worked for me. What is the success rate of healthise ebooks on Acne? How long have you been in business and most of all, do you have any idea how I feel!?
A: I know these home remedies work because I suffered from acne for 25 years. It destroyed my self-confidence, made me feel unattractive and was just plain ruining my life! After graduating from the University of California at Berkeley, I did some research, befriended a chemist, and read lots of references offered from sites like healthise. I have written many ebooks sold exclusively on this site. I do not own site, I m just book writer. Healthise.com™ is in the business from 15 years (initially healthpad now healthise since 9 years) they have successfully sold over 65,000 of this ebook copies till date. And rating of the ebook is 4.8 out of 5 from 742 reviewers, that speaks for itself.
I know the solution. Again a humble submission, book is written by a person who faced many challenges of acne. I know exactly how it feels to have acne and know exactly how great it is to clear it up!
Q: Do all the acne patients use the same ebooks?
A: No. Everyone's skin is different. That's why the regular ebook offers a variety of solutions, all formulated for specific skin types and problems. Many factors determine your DIY treatment which is customized for you. That's why we ask you to please fill out the questionnaire on the How to Order page so we can personally help you.
Q: Are chocolate and greasy foods really bad for my skin?
A: No! How could anyone live without chocolate or French fries?
Food FAQs for acne
Q: Is there a connection between what I eat and my acne?
A: Yes, it helps to eat a well balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals with plenty of water. This is paramount to having a healthy body and a good complexion. Splurging on bad food once in awhile is no big thing, as long as you eat well most of the time. However, some people have that backwards. The stress you put on your body if you mistreat it by not eating right, smoking, doing drugs, over-doing the alcohol or caffeine is enough to aggravate even the most mild acne case.
Prescription Drugs for Acne
Q: Why don't antibiotics work for acne?
A: Antibiotics work for getting rid of an infection, like strep throat. When it comes to treating acne, all topical and oral drugs are doing is temporarily killing the bacteria, which eventually become resistant to the antibiotic. A common practice is to prescribe the topical ointment in conjunction with antibiotics. Unfortunately, many people experience redness and irritation which actually cause more pimples and blackheads to form. Because ointment and antibiotics make your skin very sun-sensitive they are not practical for many acne sufferers. Another drug often prescribed for acne is Accutane. This is just a temporary solution to your acne, but it's not a long term and safe alternative to controlling your breakouts. And if not helping acne isn't enough, some antibiotics also reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptives. Check with your doctor.
Q: What should I expect to see after using DIY acne for a couple of months?
A:You will definitely look better. Your pimples will be smaller, go away faster, and you should have fewer of them. Our DIY ebook implementation will prevent new pimples from forming and will reduce the swelling and irritation on your skin from your breakouts.
Q: If the sun is so damaging to my skin, then why does it seem to clear up my acne?
A: It's not helping clear up your acne at all. The "tan" look is just a temporary coloring that appears to hide your pimples. But when the tan goes away, the zits stay. Worse yet, the sun tans your scars darker and sets you up for a whole new crop of pimples! Sun damages your skin and that's all there is to it.
True, you might look better and feel better with a tan, but what you're doing is creating new pimples for three or four months down the road - that's how long it takes for a pimple to form. It's not a fluke that your skin looks worse in October when your summer time tan catches up with you. That's why it is important to wear one of our specially formulated sunscreens to help prevent future breakouts.
Q: I try to remember and wear sunscreen, but every time I wear it my skin breaks out worse. What's the story?
A: Good sunscreen is good, but bad sunscreen is bad. If you're wearing acne aggravating sunscreen, then you're not helping the situation. Most of the over the counter sunscreens you've probably been using are loaded with oils which clog your skin. This produces acne. You must use screens that are non-acne aggravating sunscreens, that not only protect your skin from harmful UV rays, but don't cause acne.
Remember that a sunscreen is JUST that: screen. You need to apply your sunscreen at least a half hour before sun exposure and re-apply it at least every two hours to receive the maximum protection. Also, it never hurts to wear a wide-brimmed hat or sit under a tree. Acne or not, the sun harms your skin.
Why Men Have Pimples/Acne
Q: I work out and sweat a lot. I always have pimples on my back but rarely on my face. How can I avoid them altogether?
A:Sweat aggravates acne, however, there are a few things you can do to minimize your breakouts. First of all, avoid sport drinks at all costs! Most sport drinks contain high amounts of iodine which has been shown to flare-up pimples when excreted through the skin in the form of sweat. Drinking lots of water during exercise helps minimize this problem. Wear clean, loose-fitting clothing during your workout because believe it or not, friction makes pimples bigger. Last, but not the least, you must try to shower at least 1/2 hour after exercise using one of our cleansers for acne prone areas.
Q: After working out and showering, it feels like the soap didn't cut the oil and sweat on my skin - especially on my back. Any suggestions?
A: OTC medicated cleansers are perfect for the job. They are adequate for both the face and body and thoroughly clean your skin without leaving behind any slimy residue. Best of all, they're not very expensive, last a long time, lather-up great, and really work.
Q: (Question to Producer of Skin care products) My skin seems to break out only where I shave? Why, and what can I do to stop this?
A: If you are using a double edged razor, then STOP! Double edged blades cut the hair beneath the surface and cause trauma and subsequent breakouts. Try using a single-edged razor and shave in the direction of your hair growth. Also, you need to stop using your current shaving cream because it's probably aggravating your skin. We've seen the best results when men switch to one of our foaming facial cleansers and use it as their shaving cream. Never put cologne or aftershave on areas where you frequently break out because these products contain oils which will aggravate your acne. It is also advisable to use topical medications on a daily basis to prevent future breakouts as well. The OTC products can be worn during the day so you are treating your acne around the clock without anybody knowing it but you.
Q: I'm 34 years old, have 2 kids, 1 house, 3 dogs and 800 zits! I was always looking forward to trading in my pimples for wrinkles, but it's starting to look like I'll be stuck with both. Why?
A:Acne is a genetic skin problem and aging won't get you out of this one. While it's true that the older you get the flare-ups usually become less severe, they're still unwanted and often embarrassing. Most acne sufferers go between times of flare-ups and clear skin their whole lives. Fortunately, the OTC (over the counter) products are safe, long-term treatment for controlling your acne.
Q: Can anyone tell when I'm wearing your products?
A:No. All OTC products, with the exception of the masks, are invisible on your skin. We don't expect you to stop your life so you can go home and treat your pimples.
Q: Why do I always break out about a week before my period? My pimples are large and hurt and seem to be located around my mouth and chin. Also, sometimes they pop up on my neck.
A: Hormones, hormones, hormones. It is very common to breakout along the lower half of your face and neck because of hormones. Regular periods and regular break-outs go hand in hand, however, if you're having irregular periods, the imbalance of hormones could make your skin worse. Also, where acne is concerned, some birth control pills are less acne aggravating than others. The good news is that you can effectively control most premenstrual breakouts using OTC products or DIY ebook solutions of Healthise.com. Diligent use of the topical medications 30 days every month, insures your skin stays clear every day of the month -- even when you have your period.
Acne: Stress and Emotions
Q: When I'm stressed or burned out, my acne gets worse.
What does one thing have to do with the other?
A: Whether it's from relationship problems, an unbalanced diet, lack of sleep, your job, or school pressures, stress aggravates acne. You may be able to control some stress, but unfortunately stress is a part of life. That's why it's important to have a skin care program that's easy to use and helps to fight off stress-induced pimples.
Skin care products are specially formulated to prevent pimples. So whether you're stressed out or not, you are able to successfully control breakouts using our daily treatment plan.
Sleeping 8 hours a night, eating a well balanced diet, regular exercise and drinking plenty of water can immediately help reduce your stress level.
Getting close is simply out of the question when you feel bad about your skin.
We've all been there - we're too embarrassed by our skin to want to leave the house - let alone have someone touch it. Now there is a way to control your breakouts so your breakouts don't control you. The skin clinics are founded to help you get your confidence and your life back.
Nobody should feel bad about their skin and we are here to help you, regardless of your age, gender, or national origin. We offer a safe, affordable, long term solution for controlling your breakouts. And because we know the emotional roller coaster you've been on for years trying to find a solution, our products are fully guaranteed. For over 15 years we have successfully treated thousands and thousands of acne sufferers just like you.