SIMPLE WAYS TO KEEP PIMPLES AWAY

One of the most common problems faced during puberty and teen years are PIMPLES or Acne as we medically call it.

Acne affects about 80% of people from puberty to 25 years of age.

During puberty, the human body produces hormones that are new to the system of both boys and girls. This hormonal influx then leads to the production of large quantities of sebum. Sebum is an oily secretion from the sebaceous glands that can clog the pores and form a pimple which may become infected and form a pustule.

Though pimples are common amongst teenagers, about 50% of people continue to have acne in their 30’s and about 4% in their 40’s.

So, why do we get pimples?

Well, there are many related factors responsible and not one can be pinpointed upon as the cause of pimples.

Some of these factors are:

1. Hormonal activity (during puberty, pregnancy & during menopause)
2. Hereditary or Genetic.
3. Accumulation of dead skin cell.
4. Skin irritation or scratching of any sort activates inflammation.
5. Birth control pills.
6. Using greasy cosmetics
7. Pressure (from helmets, chinstraps, collars)
8. Drugs (medicines containing iodides, bromides, or oral or injected steroids)
9. Occupation (exposure to industrial products)

What can be done to prevent or treat the acne-prone skin?

Here are a few tips that may help you with the most dreaded skin problem:

1. Cleanse your skin gently. Avoid harsh scrubbing or over-washing.
2. Those who have oily skin tend to wash face (with soap) very frequently to clear off the oil. This makes the skin dry and can cause more irritation. The correct thing to do is wash face with a mild soap twice or thrice daily. And in between wash face with just warm or cold water. Water is enough to wash off the excess sebum.
3. Choose cosmetics carefully. Avoid pore-clogging and skin irritants that can contribute to acne. Try cosmetics that are “hypo-allergic” and non-comedogenic and “oil-free”.
4. Products such as facial scrubs, astringents and masks generally aren’t recommended because they tend to irritate the skin, which can trigger acne.
5. Protect from the sun. Excessive sun exposure can increase pimple formation. Use a sunscreen 20 mins before you step out in the sun. In a country like India, a sunscreen with at least an SPF 15 to 30 is required for skin protection.
6. Avoid self-care measures and over-the-counter medicines.
   Please DO NOT APPLY TOOTHPASTE on the pimples. The toothpaste is meant for the teeth and not the skin. It may dry out the acne temporarily, but the fluoride and other whitening ingredients will irritate the skin over time.

There are two types of problem with acne, one is the acne itself and the other the scars that it leaves behind. The acne scars are like the ones we get after a wound.  Most scars are just post-inflammatory lesions that heal within a few weeks or a month. It is usually seen in people with severe form of acne.

There are ways to prevent scars too: –

1. Avoid exposure to the sun. This can cause even more skin damage and may hamper the healing process of the skin.
2. Never pick on acne as it heals; it interferes with the healing process and might worsen the resulting acne scar.

The scars of acne go much deeper than the skin. Acne/Pimples, scars the vital self-image of an individual, which can orchestrate success or failure, happiness or oppression, and many other outcomes in life.