Acne pimples can affect anyone at any time. Breakouts can range from a few pimples here and there to having them all over the face and back. Whatever the situation is, no one should have to suffer with acne. Plenty of treatments are available to help get rid of pimples, ranging from ingredients you'll find in your refrigerator to products you can buy at the store to medications you can obtain through a dermatologist.
Acne Description
Acne is a common skin condition that affects almost everyone at some point in their lives. It typically strikes during the teenage years, but for some people it can persist well into adulthood. Some of the most common forms of acne are blackheads, whiteheads and pimples. Despite the trouble acne and pimples may cause, a wide variety of treatment options are available.
Acne Origin
Acne occurs when dirt, oil and dead skin get trapped inside the hair follicle. The follicle, or pore, becomes blocked and bacteria begins to grow inside, swelling until it grows into a whitehead, blackhead or pimple.
At-Home Treatments
Some of the simplest treatments for acne can be found using ingredients found right at home. Natural pimple treatments are most effective in solving mild acne problems. Drinking aloe vera or rubbing it on the skin can help. Rubbing fresh garlic on pimples can also help because it has antiseptic properties that can dry out acne. Blending cucumber into a paste and leaving it on the skin for about 30 minutes is another effective method, as is holding your face over hot steam for about 10 minutes to open up pores.
OTC vs. Prescription Medications
For more moderate to severe acne, buy an acne treatment product from a drugstore or consult a dermatologist. Over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription treatments will be much stronger than home remedies. The most common OTC pimple treatments are benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid, which both work to dry up pimples and slough off dead skin cells. They can both be found as creams, gels, washes and cleansing pads. A dermatologist can prescribe stronger versions of benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid for severe acne, as well as other popular and effective prescription medications, such as Retin-A and Differin.
Prevention
The best approach to treating pimples is to prevent them from happening in the first place. Wash your face daily with a mild facial soap, and avoid touching your face in order to prevent the oils and dirt on your fingers from becoming trapped in the pores. Clean the frames of glasses and sunglasses to remove any excess oil. Only use oil-free makeup, and keep your hair off your face and shampoo often. Change pillowcases and bed sheets often so your face doesn't come into direct contact with dirt, oil and bacteria that accumulates on bed linens.
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