Spot your acne woes
published:
Saturday | April 12, 2008
Keisha Brown, Gleaner Writer
FACTS&REMEDIES
If you noticed the acne you had when you were 15 has returned in your 20s or 30s, rest assured, you are not alone. Many persons between the ages of 25 and 40 suffer from adult acne.
Let's look at a few facts about adult acne and how to rid your skin of it.
Fact1
Acne usually begins with blackheads: Blackheads are not dirt. They are actually the result of oil and dead cells getting trapped in a pore where they block the duct and mix with bacteria. They then turn black when exposed to air. Red pimples develop when blackheads become inflamed and they spread when touched with dirty hands. When the pimple becomes infected, it develops a whitehead or pustule. These can break and cause scars.
Remedy:
Try an exfoliant with alpha hydroxy acid. These products clean out pores better than scrubs. Biore Pore Perfect Strips will get rid of your blackheads.
Fact2
There are several causes of adult acne: Stress, bad cosmetics, hormones and birth-control pills can cause acne. Stress causes your oil glands to overcompensate. Bad cosmetics lead to bacteria-laden pores. Hormones cause the sebaceous glands to overact, and androgen-based birth-control pills can cause breakouts.
Remedy:
Oil-free, non-comedogenic products, e.g., Olay Daily Facials Intensives Deep Cleansing Clay Mask and Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturising Gel.
Fact3
It's not all about chocolate. Your skin, however, will benefit from a good facial. Why? Acne is not a disease. It is a condition of the skin. A good aesthetician will know what your skin needs.
Fact4
Don't treat adult acne like the teenage type: The products you used as a teenager won't work on adult skin. Here's a two-step programme for treating your blemished skin:
Step 1:
Pick the right cleanser. Look for medicated cleansers with salicylic acid, e.g., Biore Shine Control Cream Cleanser.
Step 2:
Exfoliate with a salicylic-acid treatment which will clean out pores. Don't exfoliate too much or scrub too hard. Two to three times a week is sufficient.
Fact5
The dermatologist will clear your skin up quickly: Too many people wait to see a dermatologist for their skin problems. If you have basic acne, over-the-counter treatments with salicylic acid to unclog pores and benzoyl peroxide to reduce bacteria on skin should work. For serious acne, your best bet is to see a dermatologist.
