A look at how to cure acne for good
Acne can be successfully controlled and treated with the right treatment routine. Acne medication that may be used don't cure acne, so even after your skin is clear and breakouts are a thing of the past you must proceed to use your medications daily to keep acne from returning. There is no cure for acne, and any products that promise to be a cure can't live up to this claim.
Understanding that Acne can't be cured but can be treated effectively
Some people still claim that acne can be cured through dietary changes and this idea has become very popular of late. Some acne cure diets propose replacing highly processed junk foods with fruits and vegetables, which is a healthy change whether you have it or not. But others may have a list of forbidden foods that make the diet almost impossible, or even unhealthy, to adhere to.Some small studies have shown an association between certain food groups, like high glycemic index foods and dairy, with acne severity, but no foods can cause acne.
If this was true, everyone who ate a slice of pizza or candy would break out in pimples immediately. Leaving specific foods from your diet is not going to heal your acne just help reduce the severity and number of breakouts. The same goes for those cosmetic products, vitamins, and facial masks, that profess to cure acne in just a few days, or even overnight. No goods can cure acne, and it's disappointing to buy these products with high hopes only to have them not fulfill their promises.
Well what works? There is a treatment, however, that comes very close to an actual acne cure. It is isotretinoin formerly known as Accutane. The people who take isotretinoin no longer have to worry about breaking out, even after the treatment is stopped. Not everyone can take this medicine, for example, during pregnancy or while breastfeeding, and it is prescribed only for those with severe acne. Your doctor can tell you if isotretinoin treatment is an option for your acne. For many people, acne will spontaneously resolve itself after some time. But until that occurs, your best plan is to use proven over-the-counter products or prescription medications, and stick with your medication even after pimples are cleared.
What not to do when you have acne
Stop blaming yourself for your acne
Acne doesn't occur because of something you did or didn't do. It does worsen if you keep picking at the pimples though. Acne just is. Some are prone to it, while others aren't. It appears mainly due to your genes and tends to run in the family, so if your parents had acne, you're more predisposed to break out, too. Getting it isn't your fault, and you're not causing your acne. So, stop rebuking yourself and instead spend that time finding an appropriate treatment.
Stop picking at your acne
While lightly squeezing a pimple every once in a while might not cause a lot of harm, constant picking and forceful squeezing will. You can accidentally push the plug of debris deeper into the epidermis, which will make the blemish worse longterm. And picking at pimples or scabs lengthens the healing time and can cause scarring.As difficult as it may be, fight the urge and do not pop or pick at your pimples. If you must self-extract those blackheads or pimples, try and do it safely. Have you already gone too far and picked that blemish? Try and keep the blemish clean, don't disturb the scab, and allow that popped pimple to heal properly.
Stop scrubbing, overly cleansing and stop overworking your skin
If your skin care routine is full of harsh scrubs, abrasive exfoliating pads, and a lot of cleansing, the constant cleaning and scrubbing can do more harm than good. Vigorous scrubbing can irritate the skin, and aggravate inflammation. If your skin looks really red, then it is a sign that you are scrubbing too hard. Some exfoliation is required if you desire clearer skin. Exfoliating on a regular helps keep your pores clear of grime and makes your skin softer, too.
Be aware that many treatments like Retin-A Micro, Differin, and other topical retinoids now exfoliate the skin. So if you're using such a treatment, you don't need an additional exfoliant generally.Over-cleansing is another general problem. While a clean face is important, don't wash it so much that your skin gets over-dry. Cleansing 2 - 3 times per day is usually enough. Scrubbing and frequent cleansing won't get rid of acne. All you'll get for your troubles is inflamed skin.
Stop falling for acne myths
Sometimes it is hard to separate fact from fiction, but knowing the truth about acne, its development, and its treatment is key in getting it under control. It is not caused by dirt and while touching your face can worsen the breakout it will not cause acne.
What about your diet? The jury is still out on this one. While traditional wisdom still holds that diet does not play a role, some doctors are still questioning that notion. Some studies have been conducted, but the reality is there still is no proven link between what you eat and acne. Quite possibly the biggest myth of all: You have to outgrow the acne or be patient for it to go away on its own. Acne can be managed, and your skin can be cleared.
Don't fall for miracle cures
There are many supplements, herbs, vitamins, and special formulation creams that claim to cure acne completely. But no matter how convincing the claim, there is no cure.Acne medicine keeps the breakouts in check. They do not inhibit the factors that trigger acne development in the first place. Even the best acne therapies at our disposal simply control acne, not cure it. So don't spend your money on products that will only give temporary results, at best. Spend money on proven OTC products (like benzoyl peroxide) or prescription acne medications.
Do not let the Acne rule your life
Acne can alter the way you feel about yourself. It may make you feel a little self-conscious, embarrassed, ashamed, and sometimes angry. To a large extent, these feelings are very normal.It's alright if you feel this way. You do not have to pretend acne doesn't worry you. Acknowledge them. Bring them out into the open. Talk to someone who is caring supportive. Often, just talking helps you feel better. Stop allowing acne to dictate your social life. It's easier said than done, but it's vital not to let acne rule your life. You are much more than your skin.
There are ways to guard and build your self-esteem. The good news is, just beginning the treatment often gives you a boost because it lets you feel more in control. If acne is affecting you to a point where you feel like it's taking over your life, inform your doctor know. It may mean you require to treat your acne more aggressively to get the change you’re looking for.
Stop sabotaging your acne treatments, be patient
For clear skin, many will do just about anything. But could you be unwittingly sabotaging your therapy? First and foremost, you have to apply your medications consistently. It's all too easy to become busy in the morning and dash off or be so tired you just fall into bed. Sometimes you simply forget, but every missed dose means less useful treatment.Don't change from product to product. If you want to know if a treatment works, you have to wait it out. Make sure you know how your treatments should be applied. Should it be used only at night? Can you take your oral meds with food? Is it okay to apply an OTC acne product at the same time as your prescription meds? If you have any queries, ask your dermatologist, follow the instructions given, and you will get good results.
If you haven't, go see a dermatologist about your acne
Most people go to the drugstore when we begin breaking out. There's nothing wrong with using an OTC acne treatment first; if you're very lucky, that is all you all need. But if you have used OTC products without much success for more than 12 weeks, it's time to make a dermatologist appointment. It's easy to delay seeing a dermatologist. You get busy; you think that acne isn't that grave, or you just keep holding out hope that something on the store shelf is going to work.The longer you stall, the longer it takes to get your acne under control.
Acne may worsen, and you run the risk of scarring. If money is an issue, consider the amount of cash you can spend on OTC products that are not working for you. Also, this treatment is covered by most insurance covers. Most people with acne wish they had visited a dermatologist pronto. So, stop waiting and make that call.
Do not let others bring you down
Sometimes people say or do things that might hurt your feelings or make you very angry. Whether it's an offhand comment, well-meaning but callous advice or not-so-subtle glances at the skin, it can be a blow to already shaky self-esteem. Keep it in perspective. Ask yourself if the person is really seeking to help you but just doing it in a clumsy way? Thank them and think nothing of it. If the person is just being a jerk? Ignore them. Instead, you may want to talk to your best friend or blow off some steam. Don't let other people have power over how you feel about yourself.
Stop thinking that treatments will not work for you
It's so difficult to stay positive and motivated when you have tried many treatments, and you still have acne. It's normal to want to give up and be confused about why your treatment isn't working. There are various acne treatments available nowadays. Maybe you haven't gotten the right combination yet. Maybe you need to visit a dermatologist or maybe change dermatologists. There are many treatments out there for everyone. It can take longer than you expect, and it may mean using medicine you hoped you'd never require
