When you're in your teens the odds are great that you'll develop a few pimples, but acne can also continue well into adulthood. In mild cases blackheads and whiteheads are common, but more severe acne causes inflamed pimples and cysts. You shouldn't wait to outgrow acne, advises the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology. Being proactive about treatment will help to clear acne sooner and prevent scarring.
Step 1
Wash your face twice a day with a mild liquid cleanser or tea tree oil soap. Be gentle. Don't wash your face vigorously or use harsh chemicals or coarse facial scrubs, because they will make your acne worse and irritate your skin. Gently pat your face dry after washing.
Step 2
Apply an over-the-counter acne medication that kills acne bacteria and increases skin-cell turnover. Some of these products contain vitamin A, salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. Reduce the number of times you apply the medications if they irritate your skin, but do not stop using them altogether, the Osteopathic College of Dermatology advises. Being proactive about treatment will help to clear the acne sooner .
Step 3
Eat a low-glycemic diet or fewer refined carbohydrates. In a 2007 study in the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" participants who ate a low-glycemic diet for 12 weeks had fewer acne lesions than those who did not follow the diet. Consume at least 25 percent of your diet from protein and no more than 45 percent from whole-grain carbohydrates such as bran bread, whole wheat pasta and brown rice.
Step 4
Do not use greasy hair products or cosmetics that leave your skin oily and clog pores. Choose noncomedogenic or nonacnegenic cosmetics instead. Shampoo hair often to remove excessive oil and keep your hair away from your face.
Step 5
Change your pillowcase often. Oily residue from your hair and skin accumulates on your pillow when you're sleeping and can make your acne worse. Use mild cleansers to wash your laundry and rinse them thoroughly.
Step 6
Try guggul or Commiphora mukul, an herb originating from India that's used to reduce cholesterol. In a 2006 study published in the journal "Complementary & Alternative Therapies," researchers found that 500 milligrams of guggul taken twice a day was just as effective as tetracycline, an antibiotic commonly prescribed for acne. But guggul had longer-lasting effects after the treatment ended. Guggul is available online and at health food stores. Before trying an herbal supplement, though, talk to your doctor.
Tips and Warnings
- After beginning acne treatment, you should see improvements in about four to eight weeks, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Do not pop or pick your pimples, as it will increase scarring. Use a cold compress to reduce discomfort and gently press a pimple to release pus that is near the surface.
- Always wear sunscreen when using topical medications that exfoliate your skin. Your skin will be more sensitive to the sun and at risk for sun damage. Choose a sunscreen with SPF30 or higher. Apply it at least 20 minutes before going outdoors. Reapply it if you get wet or perspire a lot.
Things You'll Need
- Mild liquid cleanser
- Tea tree oil soap
- Towel
- Acne topical medication
- Noncomedogenic cosmetics
- Guggul
Member Comments