Memory Matters

Archive for April, 2009

If you struggle with acne, it can feel like you are continuously trying to find a cure. You try product after product, but none of them seem to make a difference. You wash your face morning, noon and night, and never fail to exfoliate or apply your deep pore cleansing masque. You follow every acne-reducing tip you find, which means that you have completely eliminated French fries and chocolate from your diet. Acne sufferers often do things in an effort to help their acne subside, that in reality, are only causing their acne troubles to continue. Myths about the true causes of acne have resulted in a long list of ‘treatments’ that do nothing but damage. We have all heard the age old myth that eating chocolate causes acne. In truth, the foods you eat have almost nothing to do with acne. Many believe that acne is a result of ‘dirty’ skin or poor hygiene.

The presence of bacteria is not a result of ‘dirty’ skin. This bacteria irritates your skin and also converts the oil produced by your into substances that irritate the skin even further. Hormones that cause acne trigger the oil glands in your skin to over produce. The excess oil then plugs your pores, resulting in acne. There are multiples causes of acne; however, acne caused by bacteria and hormones is the most common. The best way to treat acne at home is probably different from what most would expect. The rule to live by when treating acne at home with product is to minimize irritation. Wash your face in the morning and in the evening with a mild cleanser and warm water. Find a mild cleanser that is specifically designed for acne, like B. Kamin’s Hydrating Acne Wash. Then apply a topical acne lotion.

Acne is the most common skin disorder. According to the American Dermatology Association, 85% of teenagers and 20% of adults deal with acne. With that kind of market, you can be sure that there are a multitude of choices when it comes to acne treatments. Acne is caused by a combination of factors, and the best treatment will address each. The instigating factor in the formation of acne is an increase in the amount of sebum produced. Usually caused by hormones, the oily secretion provides a rich nvironment for the growth of bacteria. When cells die in greater numbers, they don’t slough off quickly enough. Instead, they clog the pores, trapping the excess sebum. The normally harmless P. acne bacteria multiply in the oil-filled pores, causing an irritation in the skin which results in the inflammation we know as acne.

One of the most popular acne treatment kits is Proactiv Solution. It includes an exfoliating cleanser to remove dead skin cells and rid the skin of excess oil, an alcohol-free skin toner, and a repairing lotion to fight the bacteria. A refining mask is also available — separately, or in a four-step treatment system — which adds an additional level of acne-fighting therapy.

Everyone is different, and so is their acne. In your quest to find the best treatment for acne, you may find that what works for your friend may not work for you. Just make sure the product you choose addresses each of the main causes of acne, and you’ll have a much better chance of being successful with your acne treatment.