Acne and How To Get Rid of It!

Acne is an infection that affects millions of Americans and it can unfortunately take a toll on one’s self esteem. Without the proper knowledge, an individual can feel helpless in the battle for achieving healthy skin. To effectively have acne-free skin, one must educate them self on the cause of acne to learn how to overcome the issue.

What is Acne?

Acne is a condition that’s caused by the overproduction of oil by the oil glands of the skin. The oil that naturally lubricates the skin gets trapped in blocked oil ducts which results in what we know as pimples on the surface of skin. Blackheads, whiteheads, or deeper skin lesions known as Cysts can also develop as well.
- Pimples are small skin swellings that sometimes contain pus.
- Blackheads are dark formations on the skin due to an accumulated mixture of oil and cells in a blocked skin pore.
- Whiteheads are small flesh-or white-colored bumps due to skin pore blockage.
- Cysts are closed sacs beneath the skin or deeper that contain fluid
or semisolid substances. (Health Information Publications, 2010)

How To Get Rid of Acne?

Acne is managed well by over-the-counter preparations such as Benzoyl peroxide and/or Salicylic acid. Both can be applied topically through gel, liquid, cream, or lotion form.
- Benzoyl peroxide works by killing the bacteria P acnes and it dries up the oil as well.
- Salicylic acid helps interrupt the shedding of the skin cells lining the oil glands.

What Skin Care Regimen is Best to Get Rid of Acne?

- Cleanse the skin with a Acne-friendly cleanser (A cleanser that doesn’t have large exfoliating beads)
- Tone The Skin with a Salicylic Acid Toner (Recomended no more than 2% Salicylic Acid)
- Treat the skin with Benzoyl Peroxide (Recomended no more than 5% Benzoyl Peroxide)
- Moisturize the skin (Prevents dryness/redness from acne medications & prevents pores from creating new acne)
Acne is an injury (infection) that can result in pigment spots. Depending upon how serious the injury, the spot may remain visible four to ten weeks. If there are chemical imbalances in the skin, the acne infection would be slow to heal. As a result, the pigment marks can be darker and may last eight to twelve weeks. Individuals with lighter skin usually develop red to purple marks as a result of these infections which can last eight to ten weeks.
Unfortunately, there isn’t a cure for acne. Those with moderate to severe acne are systemically (bodily) deficient in chemicals needed to prevent acne. On the other hand, Zinc can block many of the conditions that produces acne. This essential mineral also acts to inhibit the production of pigment. Since Zinc is lacking in the skin of those with moderate to severe acne, hyperpigmentation can become a secondary problem.
Preventing Pigment Spots: Pigment spots are a direct result of acne, so the only way to prevent pigment spots is to prevent acne. Instead of focusing on lightening pigment spots, its best to work on controlling or eliminating the actual cause (Skintactix, 2006).
Having the right skin care regimen and being committed to it can help you get rid of your acne in approximately 7 days. The right products along with healthy habits can effectively lead to great skin.