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1. Acne and pimples are the same thing
Myth
Anyone who suffers from acne already knows the truth about this one. A minor breakout is
probably because you have been burning the midnight oil or are a bit hormonal. Acne is a
dermatological condition that needs treatment as early as you spot it (no pun intended). There are
5 different kinds of acne, ranging from moderate to severe and while the most common (acne
vulgaris) can be treated with hormones, not all types can be. Some can even be made worse, so
make sure you see a dermatologist who can treat your acne effectively.
2. Acne is just for kids
Myth
A quarter of male acne sufferers and half of female acne sufferers are adults. Most had the
condition in their teens but many had clear skin all through their teens and only developed acne in
their twenties, thirties and even forties.
3. Washing more will help
Half-true
One study of acne found that not washing at all made acne worse but washing four times a day
had the same ill-effect. The best approach was to use a mild cleanser twice and day, morning and
evening. Adult acne in previously clear-skinned people may be caused by not keeping the skin
clean. Dead skin cells mix with skins natural sebum and block the pores. While the acne may not
improve through cleansing alone, keeping your skin gently clean makes sure that you don't
exacerbate the condition.
4. You're just being vain
Myth
Not only can acne leave physical and emotional scars, it may be a sign of a more serious
hormonal imbalance. Adult acne sufferers who had clear skin as teenagers are advised to be
tested for abnormally high levels of testosterone (the hormone thought to be primarily responsible
for acne).
3. There are a number of chemical and natural ways to combat acne. Try these after you've spoken
to a good dermatologist, he or she will be able to help you decide the combination of treatments
that suit you best.
Topical Creams
Available over the counter, you've probably used a few of these. They are designed to unblock
pores so that your skins natural oils can move and be disposed of the way your skin intended.
Pretty much anything containing benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid is good for mild cases of acne,
in teenagers and adults. This is especially true when the cream is blended with an antibiotic. Make
sure you use a sunscreen that is suitable for acne. You may need to drop the protection factor
down from 30 to 15 or thereabouts to get away from the heavy greasy creams. Look for a
sunscreen that comes in a gel or spray and contains an ingredient called Mexoryl (either the X or
FX varieties) as these won't clog your pores.
Prescription medications
For more severe cases, these will either be hormones or antibiotics and are often used over a
couple of years to control and improve acne. Men often suffer from worse cases of acne than
women because they produce more testosterone and prescription medications are more
commonly used for men than for women. Acne medications containing the ingredient Isotretinoin
are commonly prescribed but if you are a woman considering this treatment, be aware that it has
been linked to severe birth defects so ask your dermatologist plenty of questions and make sure
you feel comfortable with the information. The Pill is one option for women and has been proven to
effectively combat some forms of acne.
Natural Treatments
Natural is a word that must be approached with caution. Mother Nature gave us many cures but
also many poisons. There are also many 'natural' therapies whose ingredient list reads like the
inventory of a chemical laboratory! Listed here are a few commonly used natural acne treatments
but use your common sense and if you don't know what it is, don't put it in your body.
Witch-hazel: An all-purpose astringent used as a toner. This one is completely safe at the dosages
found in most cosmetic products, but that may mean it's too diluted to be an effective acne
treatment. It does feel lovely on the skin after cleansing though.
Tea-tree oil: Can be great for treating occasional outbreaks of acne, but will probably be too harsh
to skin to use for too long. Also, tea-tree oil can be damaging if you are taking acne medication as
they may react and cause inflammation.
Oats: Not only do they taste great for breakfast, but oats used in a facial scrub (gently, please)
provide a light exfoliant and antiseptic properties.
Vitamin A: Great for the eyesight but unfortunately toxic if taken at the dosage you need to combat
acne.
4. Cosmetic surgery
An extreme approach to acne and acne scars, this usually involves dermabrasion or micro-
dermabrasion with follow-up treatments that involve further sessions and take-home creams.
Other options include laser treatment or light treatment. These may dramatically reduce acne, but
all have potential side-effects as well as being expensive. If you choose this method of treating
acne, research as many cosmetic surgery practitioners as you can, ask lots of questions and don't
ever feel rushed.
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Cleopatra's Choice
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nicole_Essler
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