| By :
Bill Wynne
One of the most common misunderstandings about acne is that it's caused by dirt. It's not! Acne is caused by a combination of factors you have no control over, like your hormone balance and the time it takes your skin to renew or exfoliate. Fortunately, there are a number of things you can control that may help you prevent the occurrence and severity of acne. Get started by adopting these basic suggestions for good skin hygiene. Don't over-wash Since dirt is not causing your acne, excessive scrubbing and washing won't make it go away. You should not cleanse your skin more than twice a day and it should be with your hands and warm water and perhaps a gentle soap. Anymore than that can leave your skin dry, and your acne-prone areas irritated. The habit to wash constantly is likely to dry your skin and stimulate more sebum (the skin's natural oil) production, which could lead to more flare-ups. This scrubbing can also rupture the whiteheads and spread the bacteria filled pus to other parts of your skin and possibly spreading the acne. Skip harsh scrubs It's okay to exfoliate your skin, but be sure to use a gentle formula with small, smooth grains. Stay away from exfoliates with almond or apricot shell fragments; they could annoy and even cause micro tearing in your skin that will cause the acne to spread as the pus and bacteria spreads on the surface of your skin. There are chemical exfoliates that do not require any scrubbing and these are a good option as long as they don't dry your skin too much. Say no to isopropyl alcohol If you use a toner, avoid products with high concentrations of isopropyl alcohol, or common rubbing alcohol. This is because alcohol is a strong astringent that exfoliates the top layer of your skin, which causes the sebaceous glands to secrete more sebum (a natural oil produced by the body). The result? Dry, red skin and possibly more blemishes. Don't squeeze or pick Squeezing or picking your pimples with fingers, fingernails, pins or anything else can push bacteria into the deeper layers of the skin, leading to a greater inflammation and infection of the skin. You'll also increase the damage to the surrounding skin, so the blemish is more likely to permanently scar the skin. This is the worst thing to do to your acne! Hands off! Propionibacterium acnes is the bacteria that causes inflammation and the pus buildup under the skin when they get trapped in the hair follicle. Excessive touching of your face, including rubbing or even resting your chin in your hands, can drive bacteria into your pores where they begin to colonize. At the time the white blood cells arrive to fight the bacteria an inflammation occurs. This creation of pus forms the whitehead. Work out, wash off As you exercise you generate heat and your clothing and the exercise equipment can cause friction. During the time that you have finished exercising and get to a shower, the warm moist environment against your skin is the ideal place for bacteria to colonize. It is best then to shower right after exercising. Find a system that works for you and stick with it. Most cases of mild acne can be improved with "over-the-counter" options, or products that don't require a prescription. Many acne treatments are accessible to you and it is likely that one of them will work well for you. If you start treatment before your acne gets severe, you'll have a much better chance of avoiding the physical and emotional problems that severe acne can cause. If your acne gets worse or lasts more than a couple of weeks, see a dermatologist. Now you should
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