Acne affects just about everyone, from teenage boys and girls to women and men. According to Mayo Clinic.com, acne is caused by a wide variety of reasons, including too much oil and bacteria as well as improper shedding of dead skin, all of which ends up clogging hair follicles and pores, which causes pimples. Many have wondered if eating greasy foods or sweet treats contribute to acne too.
Acne Causes
Acne may occur for a variety of reasons, including too much oil production, bacteria buildup and clogged pores. Certain kinds of medications, facial cleansers and makeup, as well as hormonal changes, tight clothing, and friction, such as rubbing your thighs against each other, may cause acne. Acne is also hereditary and may impact pregnant women. Cleaning the skin too harshly or with a harsh cleanser may also cause acne or make acne worse. Acne may be found on the face as well as along the hairline and various parts of the body including the back, chest and shoulders.
Types of Acne
Acne is more than just a big, red pimple. A plugged pore under the skin may form into a white bump, or a whitehead. When the plugged pore opens up and the excess oil makes contact with the air, it forms a blackhead. Pustules, or pimples, are red and may be filled with pus. Nodules are painful skin lesions that are found deep in the skin. This kind of acne may cause scarring. Another kind of acne that may cause scarring are cysts. Cysts are found deep in the skin as well but are also full of pus.
Chocolate and Acne
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women's Health, there is no correlation between what you eat and acne. However, what you do after you eat may be the culprit. After you finish devouring that piece of chocolate, it is important to wash your hands before touching your face or skin. Chocolate and other guilty pleasures may not cause acne, but clogging your pores with excess grease can. Refrain from resting your face on your hands or holding a telephone too close to your face.
Acne Prevention
If you suffer from acne, avoid harsh cleansers or scrubs. Wash the acne-prone area with a gentle cleanser no more than twice a day. Treat pimple flair-ups with over-the-counter pimple cream that contains either benzoyl peroxide or salicyclic acid. Never go to bed with makeup on and always take a shower after an intense workout to get rid of excess dirt, oil and bacteria.
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