I have persistant chest acne and back acne. I’ve tried using regular acne products on it, but it doesn’t seem to be working at all, and it seems to make my body acne look worse.
I’m a very self-conscious person and I need to know what options are available. What products are the most effective? And where can I find these products? Please help.
It can make you feel worse inside than you actually look. Many shy and embarrassed youngsters between the ages of twelve and twenty four suffer from acne in some form or another.
It’s uncomfortable and embarrassing, although not strictly life threatening. Boys tend to fall victim to it more than girls at the onset of puberty, probably because of the increased level of the hormone testosterone in the body.
Acne is generally caused by bacteria filling up clogged pores, resulting in zits breaking out. The zits usually spread over the face, back, shoulders, chest and neck. Some doctors think it may be hereditary. There is a whole industry dedicated to finding cures for acne, and there is a plethora of advice when it comes to supposed acne cures.
To some people, the acne condition seems so bad to them emotionally, they seek medical help and advice from their own doctor, or even specialist dermatologists to try and find a cure.
Some sufferers use over the counter treatments, some have prescription treatments and others prefer to use natural methods. There is a lot of anecdotal promotion of the merits of one treatment or another and it all gets very confusing. You just have to see which acne cures work for you and it may be a case of trial and error.
There are some experts who say there is no such thing as a cure and that you should disregard such claims. One thing is for certain with that advice – if you can grin ( and hide the zits) then you will certainly save your pockets with all the ‘Quack’ cures that do the rounds every year. In fact, it is a superb market to be in, as every year, and constant stream of newcomers march in search of a cure for acne.
Whatever the claims and counter claims of different sorts of treatment, prevention is certainly preferable to acne cures. It’s definitely worth a try, as most prevention stems around eating habits and cleanliness. Attention to diet is important and avoiding fried fatty foods (sorry – burgers and chips or fries are definitely out while the zits are popping all around your mouth0, also with refined and processed foods in general is a good start.
Also, try to cut down on caffeine, alcohol, soft drinks and tobacco. I know, just the stuff you are starting to survive on!
Eat lots of fresh vegetables and fruit, and drink plenty water. Eating irregularly can cause constipation and this can promote acne because the toxic material has to break out somewhere.
It may not be possible to prevent the acne but you may be able to lessen its effects. If all measures fail, it’s time to decide on which of the acne cures to try.
There are numerous gels, lotions, creams and solutions on the market. Benzyl Peroxide is a common ingredient in over the counter medications and some people have found that it works very well, especially when combined with regular cleansing and moisturizing. Other acne cures are antibiotics, salicylic acid and sulfur.
Unfortunately, some of these so-called cures can leave a strange smell lingering around the sufferer’s face, so they get hit two ways socially. You should always ask a good friend to check if any sulfer based products for instance are causing any lingering whiffs.
For other people, they prefer to try remedies that work from the inside, and prefer to try vitamins or natural herbal remedies. You can find all of these easily available as acne cures. Vitamin A and Niacin is recommended, and also Zinc tablets. There are a number of home remedies that you could try.
Some sufferers apply orange peel crushed with water or lemon juice. Another acne cure is coriander or mint juice mixed with a little bit of turmeric powder. Others apply grated cucumber leaves or crushed garlic cloves. You could also try an overnight face mask made from mashed up fenugreek leaves, to be washed off when you wake next day. Tea Tree Oil is said to be another acne cure. You can also bathe in a soothing hot tub of Epsom Salts.
Whichever method you decide to use, don’t undo the benefits of your acne cures by picking at the skin. Also, don’t make it worse by scrubbing at the acne with any harsh material. Be kind to yourself!
And don’t, whatever you do, take part in the messy ritual of squeezing the extra large zits.
Understanding Your Skin Type
Because everyone has a little different type of body chemistry and skin type acne treatment cannot take a one size fits all approach. As a result, before implementing any acne treatment it’s important to understand your skin type in order to achieve the results you desire.
Types of Skin
In a nutshell, there are basically three types of skin: oily, dry and normal. However, what makes acne so difficult to treat for some is that they have a mixture of all three skin types on different parts of their face. For example, they may have an oily nose, a dry forehead and fairly normal skin on the rest of your face. Once you have determined your skin type you can start an acne treatment and skin care. If you don’t feel comfortable in determining your own skin type you may want to consult a dermatologist who will be able to properly diagnose your skin issues and recommend a plan of action for correcting it.
Skin Care
Caring for your skin should is a daily process because it’s exposed to a continuous bombardment of the elements like wind, temperature extremes and air quality issues – both indoor and out.
Skin care is an essential step in properly treating acne on a long term basis because properly maintained skin and proper acne treatment go hand in hand. For example, both require keeping the skin clean and properly hydrated and both require proper nutrition because many skin issues are caused from poor nutrition. Impurities from poor nutrition are then eliminated from the body through the skin and drinking plenty of good, fluoride free water (distilled water is the purest form of water) to assist your body in properly eliminating toxins is essential. Drinking soda or coffee or other fluids is not a substitute for water.
Once your acne clears you must continue the skin care and nutrition habits that resulted in your improved complexion or you’ll find yourself – regardless of age back to having problems with your skin.
Acne treatment and skin care are a necessary process of your daily routine in order to keep your skin clear from acne and from the early signs of aging but it’s also necessary if you want to maintain your youthful appearance for as long as possible. Acne cannot be cured from the outside but it can be from the inside and therefore if you don’t change your lifestyle and eating habits it can and most likely will continue to reoccur throughout your lifetime.
There are acne treatment centers throughout the country should you so chose to take that direction in treating your acne but like a form of medical care it makes sense to get more than one opinion and then decide which one fits your particular situation – good luck.
By: Dave Cahill
About the Author:
Solve your acne & skincare problems at http://www.acnepimplezits.com
