Acne is a very common yet frustrating problem. According to the University of Chicago Medical Center, 80 percent of people between the ages of 11 and 30 have struggled with some amount of moderate to severe acne. Changes in hormone levels, bacteria, medications and stress can all lead to acne. If left untreated, acne can spread and even lead to scarring. Luckily, proper hygiene and treatment can help to clear acne quickly.
Steps to Clearing Acne
Step 1
Meet with a dermatologist to discuss the type of acne you have, the cause of your acne and what the best treatment protocol would be for you. Be prepared to tell the dermatologist what products you currently use on your skin, what medications you take and any health conditions you have. Your dermatologist may even write a prescription for a strong skin cream to help clear your acne, depending on how severe it is.
Step 2
Wash twice a day with an oil-free face wash or cleanser containing benzoyl peroxide. According to the University of Illinois, benzoyl peroxide can help by drying out and clearing pimples quickly and it can even help to prevent them. Never touch your face without washing your hands with soap and warm water first; otherwise you might transfer dirt and bacteria to your face, causing more acne.
Step 3
Change your pillow cover every week. You do not have to constantly buy new ones, but you should have at least two pillowcases so that you can change one each week while you are washing the other one. This is commonly overlooked, but it is important because bacteria may be present on your pillow cover, and that bacteria can get all over your face at night, causing more acne or slowing the speed at which your current acne clears.
Step 4
Use a topical antibiotic or other acne treatment cream at night on your face to clear your acne. Your options include Retin-A cream, benzoyl peroxide cream and many others, so ask your dermatologist which is the best option for you.
Step 5
Work on actively decreasing and managing your stress every day. According to the University of Illinois, stress can aggravate and even cause acne.Try taking a walk, writing in a journal, calling a friend or exercising to reduce your stress levels.
Things You'll Need
- Oil-free face wash with benzoyl peroxide
- Topical acne cream such as retin-a or benzoyl peroxide
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