Preventionold

Prevention

Hygiene

One of the most common misconceptions about acne is that it's caused by dirt. It's not! Acne can be result of factors that is beyond your control such as hormone balance , your skin’s renewal system etc and certain factors that are well within your control through which you can keep acne in check . Few suggestions that can help you keep acne in check are :

Don't over-wash. Since dirt is not the cause of acne, excessive scrubbing and washing will not make it go away. On the contrary this can leave your skin dry and your acne prone area irritated . Over washing may also stimulate extra oil production, which could result in more breakouts. Maximum of two washings in a day is more than enough to keep your skin clean and hygienic.

Skip harsh scrubs as it can irritate or even tear your skin and further aggravate your acne. In case you want to exfoliate , then use a gentle formula with small , smooth grains and avoid products with almond and apricot shell fragments.

Say no to alcohol. If you use a toner, avoid products with high concentrations of isopropyl alcohol, or common rubbing alcohol. A strong astringent, alcohol strips the top layer of your skin, causing your sebaceous glands to produce more oil which results in Acn

Don't squeeze or pick. picking and ssqueezing your blemishes causes greater inflammation and infection by forcing the bacteria deeper into the skin . Picking and squeezing also increases the damage to the surrounding skin and thereby the blemish is more likely to leave a permanent acne scar.

Hands off! The bacteria that causes acne breakouts is a normal resident of your skin; it doesn't lead to acne until it gets trapped inside the hair follicle. Excessive touching of your face, including rubbing or even resting your chin in your hands, can drive bacteria into your pores — where it can begin its dirty work.

Work out, wash off. shower off immediately after exercising because wwhen you exercise, your movement generates heat; this heat and moisture are trapped against your skin, creating an ideal breeding ground for the spread of bacteria until you shower off.

A healthy diet is important for improving raw materials for healthy skin. Though after extensive study, scientists have not found a connection between diet and acne and contrary to the popular belief Fatty & fried food , chocolates , pizza etc does not cause acne . However that doesn’t mean you should make a habit of eating foods high in sugar or fat. The skin is the body’s largest organ, so what’s good for the rest of you will be good for your skin, too.

Nutrients for healthy skin. There are a number of nutrients found in everyday foods that are known to promote a healthy body — and therefore healthy skin. By regular intake of a balanced diet you’ll increase your chances of conquering your acne.

Vitamin A. This is found in fish, oils , liver and dairy products .The Vitamin A produced by plants is known as Beta-carotene, and is found in yellow/orange fruits and vegetable such as carrots, yams, apricots and cantaloupe, as well as green vegetables like parsley, kale and spinach. a Word of caution - Extremely high doses of Vitamin A are toxic, so don't overdo it.

Vitamin B-2. is often helpful alleviating stress. Foods with a high concentration of B-2 include whole grains, fish, milk, eggs, meat and leafy green vegetables.

Vitamin B-3. improves circulation, promoting healthy skin and is ffound in peanuts, eggs, avocados, liver and lean meats,. It also reduces the cholesterol level in the blood and helps you metabolize protein, sugar & fat.

Vitamin E. Is a very powerful antioxidant and it protects your cells against the effects of free radicals, which are potentially damaging by-products of the body’s metabolism. Vitamin E is found in almonds, peanuts, sunflower seeds, broccoli, wheat germ and vegetable oils.

Zinc. Is known to be antioxidant and is known to boost the immune system, improving overall health — which of course is reflected in the skin. Zinc can be found in eggs, whole grains, nuts and mushrooms.

Since acne is different for everyone, you should be aware of your triggers as there may be certain foods that cause flare-ups in your skin and clearly these foods should be avoided.

Overall, Drink lots of water and eat a healthy, balanced diet.

Stress & Lifestyle

Stress and lifestyle is a very important factor of your health and skin being the largest organ of your body shows the effect of health on itself . The place you work, the hours you keep, the ways you play — all of these can take a toll on the epidermis, especially in those who are prone to acne. Following are some of the triggers that can cause acne and few things that you can do to avoid them

Environment – Exposure to pore-clogging substances such as airborne grease in a fast-food restaurant, industrial oils - the kinds used in cars, in factories, on bicycles can create an invisible film on your skin, clogging your pores. While these substances are not the cause of your acne, they can aggravate it. Therefore it is important to pay attention to the substances with which you come into contact on a regular basis.

Sleep and your skin – a good night’s sleep — at least eight hours — can do wonders for your complexion. A healthy, well-rested body has the resources to build a strong immune system. While a robust immune system won’t prevent acne altogether, it can help fight infection so your lesions clear up more quickly.

Sun – Consistent sun bathing will dry your skin, causing your sebaceous glands to produce more oil. Also, skin that has been exposed to the sun has to slough old cells more frequently; when you combine the extra oil and extra dead cells, you create the ideal environment for blocked pores. So if you work or play in the sun, it’s important to protect your skin with sunscreen.

Stress – emotional anxiety in the form of stress , tension can cause your adrenal glands to overwork thereby flooding your bloodstream with the hormone cortisol. This triggers the sweat glands in your face to produce more oil. When your sebaceous glands go into high gear, there’s a higher probability that this excess oil will mix with dead skin cells and clog your pores, trapping bacteria inside, resulting in Acne. Although stress cannot be eliminated completely from one’s life style , however regular exercises, well rested body , yoga & meditation can help keep you happy and calm even at the most stressful times.

Shaving –The acne-like breakouts also known as "shaving bumps," or Pseudofolliculitis barbae, are the result of inflammation in the hair follicle brought on by shaving. As hairs begin to grow back after shaving, waxing or plucking, they get trapped inside the follicle, resulting in irritation and swelling. These are more common in people with curly hair.

Warm it up. Before you begin shaving, prep the area with warm water. The hydration makes your skin more pliable; the heat will dilate your blood vessels, bringing blood flow to the area.

Lather well. Thinner, more filmy shaving creams help the razor glide over the skin, reducing irritation.

Use the right razor. Electric razors helps in reducing such out breaks, even though the shave is not as close as the blade shave. In case you want to use blade razor use a new single –blade razor instead of double and triple edged blades , as these blades lift the hair out of the follicle for a shave that is actually below the epidermis. As part of the skin's natural healing process, the epidermis grows over the opening of the follicle. Then, as the hair grows back, it has to fight to get out of the closed follicle — causing an inflammatory response. While shaving shave down rather than up.

Tone up – use toner or antibacterial gel; this will kill bacteria before it gets into the open follicles — and help you stop Pseudofolliculitis barbae before it starts.

Cosmetics – Though cosmetics and make up do not cause Acne by itself it can exacerbate the condition.

Some make-ups include ingredients that are considered comedogenic, or substances that are known to clog pores. Although these cosmetics may not cause true plugging of the follicle, certain ingredients may induce follicular irritation. In addition to the cosmetics itself some of the Comedogenics may be rubbed off by contact with your hands and your clothing, and some of it migrates across your skin, settling into your pores.

Few tips that can help you in managing acne due to cosmetics are as follows :

Avoid penetrating oils. Though all oils are not comedogenic, most cosmetic oils, however, can aggravate acne. Products labeled “oil-free” and "non-comedogenic" are less likely to clog your pores and trigger breakouts.

Steer clear of sweet smells. Fragrance is a major cause of allergic and irritant reactions on the face. It’s best to stick with products labeled as “fragrance-free” or “hypo-allergenic. The most common offenders are fragrances in the ambrette, bergamot, cinnamate and musk families.Try a patch test on the skin behind your ear. If no irritation appears after three days of repeated application, you may continue usage on a larger area.

Be smart about shadow and blush. Mica is typically used in the products that puts the sparkle in your eye shadow, face powder and blush .Mica particles can cause irritation and/or clogging in the follicle, so it’s best to use products without too much shimmer. Likewise, many of the red dyes used to put a bloom in your cheeks are coal tar derivatives and these are comedogenic too. Use product that use carmine which is a natural, healthy cosmetic colorant. Avoid cream blushes and instead use powder or gel as cream blushes are more likely to contain comedogenic ingredients.

Get wise to eye creams. Because of the delicacy of the skin around the eyes, creams created for this area are often thicker and greasier than regular facial moisturizers. Heavy eye creams and oily eye make-up removers can promote milia, tiny white cysts under the eyes. These kinds of products can also migrate to neighbouring areas, creating acne on the cheeks, temples and forehead.

Style your hair with care. As most hair products contain ingredients such as alcohol , adhesives and oils , cover your skin when you spray and try to keep oils , gels and pomades away from the skin hairline. Avoid using such hair care product before exercise as perspiration from your scalp can carry these products onto your skin especially face and thereby triggering new breakouts.

Wash after exercising. because when you exercise, your movement generates heat; this heat and moisture are trapped against your skin, creating an ideal breeding ground for the spread of bacteria. Make-up can make matters worse. Even non-comedogenic products can cause clogging or irritation in the presence of heavy perspiration. Therefore it’s best to wash immediately after exercising with a medicated exfoliating cleanser.

Use the right lip lube. Lipsticks and glosses are greasy by nature, with high concentrations of petroleum, wax and other comedogenic substances. So if you have problems with pimples around the mouth area, reconsider the products you use on your lips.

Exercise - Exercise is actually good for your skin and it helps in maintaining a healthy body and mind and manage your stress levels.

If you find your acne is aggravated by regular exercise, then you should examine your routine , what do you wear and where do you carry out your exercise .Exercise-related acne is usually caused by something you put on your body rather something you do with it. Here are just a few things to watch for while you exercise.

Make-up. When exercising, wear as little make-up as possible. Even oil-free and non-comedogenic (non-pore-clogging) cosmetics can clog pores if worn during heavy exercise. When you’re done working out, wash as soon as possible.

Sunscreen. If your regimen takes you outdoors, always wear sunscreen. Prolonged exposure to sun actually promotes comedones (clogged pores) in addition to sun damage. When choosing a sunscreen, look for products that are oil-free and have a protection factor for both UVA and UVB rays. Wash immediately after working out.

Clothing. If you’re prone to body acne, avoid garments made exclusively with lycra or nylon as some synthetic fabrics can trap the heat and moisture against your skin, creating a fertile breeding ground for the bacteria that contribute to acne. Loose fitting natural fabrics such as cotton or lycra-cotton blend allow the skin to breathe and are best suited to wear during your exercise.

Moisture – after your exercise get out of those wet clothes and change into dry clothes and wipe down as well as you can .Wipe with a clean towel and gently as vigorous wiping can irritate your skin, driving make-up and sunscreen deeper into the pores.

Showering. It’s best to shower immediately after working out. You may want to use a medicated exfoliant cleanser, but always be gentle with your skin.

A healthy exercise program is an integral part of your overall health; and a healthy body is more likely to have healthy skin, so keep up the good work. Just keep an eye on the various factors that accompany your regimen, and try to remove the acne triggers.

Most cases of mild acne can be improved with "over-the-counter" products, or products that don't require a prescription from your doctor. There is a wide range of treatments available, and there’s a good chance one of them will work for you. If you start treatment before your acne gets severe, you’ll have a better chance of avoiding physical and emotional problems down the road. But if your acne gets worse or lasts more than a couple of weeks, see a dermatologist.