Acne can affect you at any time and any place, attacking without regard to age or race. The greatest population that {suffer|suffers| from acne, though, are young adults and teens. It is estimated that upwards of 80% of people who are in this age group have acne and of those about 21% will suffer from permanent scarring that can be anywhere from light to noticable at a glance.
Adults, though, can still suffer from the heartbreak of acne. The American Dermatologist Association reports that about 20% of all those over the age of 24 have active acne. This boils down to about 60 million American adults and teens have active acne and 20 million Americans have acne that is severe enough to cause permanent scarring. Surprisingly, only 11% of those with acne will ask for treatment, but this is partly due to the the way people treat those with acne.
There is hope, though, for those afflicted by acne. On learning what causes acne, the things that work and the things that don’t help and how to prevent most acne, you can take those steps to get skin that is glowing.
What Causes Acne?
While acne is not contagious, there are some proven factors that do increase your chances of getting acne lesions. Generally, acne is caused when the sebaceous glands produce excess oil. Other causes can include:
* An inherited tendency towards acne or genetics * Hormones and hormone imbalances * Some illnesses * Stress and anxiety * Cosmetics that are oil based * Over washing the skin * Humidity * Some prescribed medications * Physical irritation
Don’t Waste your Time (or Money)
While some acne solutions will work, many do not. When picking out an over the counter remedy, be on your guard. Many of the acne products on the shelves today have harsh components that can really dry out your skin, or even make your acne worse. Choose your acne remedy products with care and seek products that are soothing.
What Really Works?
Four things really do work for acne. Together they pack a powerful punch to make acne disappear.
* Healthy diet * Adequate sleep * Proper cleansing * Water
To treat acne you already have, use natural products such as tea tree oil which has strong antiseptic effects and is quite effective. Witch hazel is a helpful toner and it can provide a healthy glow. Mint is a good spot treatment, especially for cystic acne. It will cool and sooth the skin while killing germs in the process.
A good firming and cleansing mask that you can make yourself is an egg white and corn starch mask. Make a paste with the egg white and corn starch. Apply to your clean skin and allow to dry. Take it off later with a wet washcloth and rinse well. You will end up with greatly improved skin.
An Ounce of Prevention…
Prevention will definitely help you avoid acne. The best way to avoid acne is to take care of yourself. A simple, diet without much fat that includes plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains will help keep your skin clear. Dark green leafy vegetables, like swiss chard, are great acne fighters. Make sure you drink plenty of fresh water to keep your body hydrated. A good night’s sleep is another known beauty secret. Doctors want you to get approximately seven hours of sleep a night.
One more thing, proper cleaning of your skin is necessary for keeping it clear. Take time to clean your skin every day. If you wear cosmetics, make sure that you take it off each night before bed. When cleansing your skin, use a cleanser that is gentle and make sure that the water is not too hot. Don’t scrub because that can increase your acne. Rinse your skin well and blot dry with a clean towel. When you make an effort to prevent acne, you won’t have to worry about any scarring from it.
