HealthyLife Articles

Tag: acne

  • Face Facts About Acne

    SELF-CARE CORNER

    Image of young women washing her face.

    Acne. It’s embarrassing. It’s annoying. And it’s the most common skin condition in the U.S. Fortunately, acne can often be reduced with simple changes to your skin care routine, say experts from the American Academy of Dermatology.

    For clearer skin, follow these tips:

    *  Wash twice a day and after sweating. Perspiration, especially when wearing a hat or helmet, can make acne worse, so wash your skin as soon as possible after sweating.

    *  Use your fingertips to apply a gentle, non-abrasive cleanser. Using a washcloth, mesh sponge, or anything else can irritate the skin. Do not use skin care products that irritate the skin, which may include astringents, toners, and exfoliants. Dry, red skin makes acne appear worse.

    *  Rinse with lukewarm water.

    *  Shampoo regularly. If you have oily hair, shampoo daily.

    *  Let your skin heal naturally. If you pick, pop or squeeze your acne, your skin will take longer to clear and you increase your risk of getting acne scars.

    *  Keep your hands off your face. Touching your skin throughout the day can cause flare-ups.

    *  Stay out of the sun and tanning beds. Tanning damages your skin. In addition, some acne medications make the skin very sensitive to ultraviolet (UV) light, which you get from both the sun and indoor tanning devices.

    *  See a skin specialist for the most current treatments.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Got Breakouts? Proven Tips For Clear Skin

    SELF-CARE CORNER

    Image of man looking at face in mirror.

    Acne can be an emotionally challenging condition for people of almost any age. The American Academy of Dermatology says acne affects up to 50 million people each year.

    Fortunately, there are a variety of products that can help you manage acne. If you or your child is dealing with acne, check out some of the most popular options to treat this condition.

    Salicylic acid

    What it does:Reduces redness and unclogs pores.

    Side effects:Minor redness, peeling or stinging.

    How to get it:Drugstore acne cleansers, toners, pads and creams. Dermatologists offer higher strength products and peels.

    Benzoyl peroxide

    What it does:Kills bacteria in the pores that causes acne.

    Side effects:Dryness, redness, peeling or stinging. May bleach hair or clothing.

    How to get it:Drugstore acne washes, creams and gels. Dermatologists offer products that combine benzoyl peroxide with other ingredients, such as an antibiotic.

    Retinoid

    What it does:Decreases the buildup of cells within pores.

    Side effects:Dryness, redness, peeling and burning that can be severe. Should not be used by pregnant or breastfeeding women or women who may become pregnant.

    How to get it:Only available from a dermatologist. Usually used for moderate to severe acne only.

    Antibiotics

    What it does:Kills acne bacteria on the skin.

    Side effects:Dryness and irritation. Some antibiotics can cause antibiotic resistance, especially if not used as directed by a doctor. This means the bacteria is no longer affected by the antibiotic and the medicine will no longer work correctly.

    How to get it:Only available from a dermatologist. Some antibiotics are applied to the skin. Others are taken as a pill.

    Getting breakouts under control can improve self-confidence and emotional well-being. If drugstore products don’t work for you, ask your doctor about stronger options. If your acne treatment is too drying, try a facial moisturizer labeled “non-comedogenic,” which means it won’t clog pores.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine