Acne is a common enemy of teenagers everywhere. However, acne can and does develop in almost every age group, plaguing infants and adults alike with unsightly and sometimes painful pimples. While you may be tempted to opt for the direct approach of popping a pimple, this is a severe strategic mistake and might ultimately lead to a veritable army of zits. If you want to really kill acne, a more deliberate and thorough method is required. The pores of your skin are openings to canals called "follicles." Within each follicle is a hair and a gland that naturally secretes an oily substance called "sebum" which keeps the skin from drying out. When the follicle becomes blocked, a bacteria (Propionibacterium acnes) that normally lives on your skin gets trapped inside.
Step 1
Arm yourself with a mild cleanser. These are soaps, scrubs or foams that can be found in the skincare aisle in most pharmacies or superstores.
Step 2
Stay away from scrubs that contain ground seeds or calcium carbonate, as these have rough edges which can nick or tear the pimple and spread the acne. Foaming and non-foaming facial cleansers are usually the mildest forms of cleanser. For more severe cases of acne, you might need to try both topical (works on the skin) and systemic (works on the inside) treatments such as Benzoyl Peroxide or Erythromycin which is applied directly on the skin and will help to reduce acne irritation. These treatments are available with a prescription from your dermatologist.
Step 3
Wash the area gently with warm water and cleanser twice per day and after you exercise. Shampooing your hair regularly is important as well, as the natural oils from your hair can contribute to new outbreaks. If you are using topical or systemic treatments, follow your doctor's instructions.
Step 4
Be consistent in treating the acne, as your body will actually do most of the work. Over time (even up to eight weeks) your white blood cells will break down the bacteria and the inflammation, and swelling will go down. This will happen naturally given the time and proper treatment. That is why it is so important to be consistent and wash the area regularly. You don't want new pimples to form while your body is fighting the others.
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