Acne is the scourge of every teen’s life, at some point or another. Who could ever relish the thought of a face pockmarked with blackheads and pimples? Stressing over it just worsens the problem – and then, there’s the cyclical effect of hormones on acne.
It sometimes seems as if you simply can’t win!
So how to get rid of acne – quickly, effectively, and with the least hassle? You can go about it in one of 3 ways.
How To Get Rid Of Acne At Home
- Regularly washing your face is the single most effective thing you can do to get rid of acne. Become almost religious about this. Wash your face at least twice every day, preferably more often. Do it once as soon as you wake up in the morning, and again as the last thing before you go to sleep. A few minutes of routine cleansing can do wonders for your acne.
Don’t just splash water on your face and call it “washing”. Spend at least a minute soaping every part gently, getting rid of the bacteria responsible for painful pustules. If parts other than your face are involved in acne, clean them too.
Wash off all traces of any make up you wear before going to bed. Blocked pores from stale makeup can worsen acne and make it resistant to cure.
- Apply a benzoyl peroxide cream. There are many brands, Clearasil being among the most popular ones to help you get rid of acne. Soaps or lotions containing benzoyl peroxide are also fine. Check the label to make sure that the concentration of BP is no more than 3%.
- Salicylic acid ointments also help get rid of acne by removing dead skin and dissolving non-viable epidermis, thus encouraging new skin growth. For a while, your skin might be dry and scaly, but over time the pimples will vanish.
- Sulfur-containing cleansers and products with azelaic acid are also effective in eliminating acne, though the exact method by which they act isn’t well understood.
- Retinoids (derivatives of Vitamin A) will help you get rid of acne even when it is extensive or troublesome. They act at a cellular level, clearing out clogged pores and sweat glands. This prevents the swelling of ducts through retained grime and secretions which eventually leads on to acne.If you ask people how to get rid of acne, you’re sure to get diverse suggestions including many home remedies that naturally cure acne. Spot treatments, which are applied directly over acne spots, can be made of baking soda mixed with water into which aspirin tablets are crushed forming a paste. Even whitening toothpaste sometimes helps!
- Face masks and facials can help dry up sweaty and oily skin to reduce acne breakouts. Two or three face masks per week, each lasting 15 to 20 minutes, can be very helpful. Masks of olive oil, cucumber or oatmeal are popular. Egg whites help cleanse pores. Wash off your face mask by rinsing in warm water.
- Lavender, thyme, sandal paste and rosewood oil have bacteria fighting properties and can help get rid of acne.
After any treatment method to rid your face of acne, apply a moisturizer. This is to prevent excessive secretion of oil because of dry skin. Minimal use of cosmetics prevents aggravation of acne.
Be cautious while shaving. An electric shaver or safety razor might help avoid cuts and nicks. Use warm water and shaving cream to soften your skin.
How To Get Rid of Acne At a Spa
If nothing you try at home works (or you’d rather put your face in the hands of a professional!), then visit a dermatologist or spa and let them solve the problem for you.
- Facials are popular at most spas. They’ll use a host of different cleansers, face masks and treatments specifically designed to help you get rid of acne. A dermatologist’s office will obviously be more medically oriented than a beautician’s.
- Facial peels work to dissolve and remove dead skin which is often choked with acne causing bacteria. While they are effective in curing acne, peels shouldn’t be used too often.
- Microdermabrasion is a form of treatment where the superficial layers of your skin are sanded away to encourage new skin growth. It helps reduce acne, though it’s a more aggressive form of treating it.
- Laser treatments are another way of achieving the same end as dermabrasion. Instead of the sanding being manual, it is accomplished through laser beams. It is a painful procedure but achieves good results in getting rid of acne.
- In rare instances, you may require prescription drugs to control acne. This step is usually reserved for acne that’s a part of other medical conditions or more extensive forms of the skin disorder.
How To Get Rid of Acne Through Lifestyle Changes
- Surprising as it may sound, regular exercise helps get rid of acne. This happens because when you exercise, your body releases endorphins. These stress-busting chemicals prevent oily skin secretions which are the substrate for acne. Sweating while you exercise also unclogs blocked glands and flushes away grime that leads to acne.
- Avoid touching your face. Most teenagers find this excruciatingly difficult. It is oh-so-tempting to feel those pesky pimples and run your fingers over the corrugations and indentations that grace your once-smooth cheeks. Resist the urge! Never pick or pop your zits and blackheads. This introduces bacteria deeper into the skin and worsens acne attacks.
- Regular showers and face washing can reduce the frequency and intensity of acne rashes. Use a mild shampoo, cleanser or conditioner which helps reduce oily skin. Always take a bath after exercising to remove all dirt and grime.
- Eat healthy food. Avoid processed foods rich in sugar and fat. Whole grains, fruit and vegetables are ideal foods to get rid of acne. Soda and junk food are best avoided.
- Sleep well. Eight hours of sleep every day lowers stress and helps your skin renew itself. Keeping regular hours can dramatically help reduce acne.
- Drink plenty of water. Water helps detoxify your body. Eight glasses of water a day can control acne.
- Wear clean clothes. Any fabric that comes in touch with your skin must be washed often with mild detergent. Avoid any brands or chemicals that have caused allergies or reactions in the past.
- Oil-free makeup reduces the chance of getting acne. Avoiding makeup altogether is even better.
Hopefully this short guide will show you how to get rid of acne. Don’t try too many things all at once. Just one effective system is enough. The reason there are so many approaches to get rid of acne is because not all of them will work for you.
An important requirement to control acne is patience. Acne is a phenomenon of growing up. It won’t magically disappear overnight. If you persist with whichever approach you choose, you’ll definitely get to a point where your glowing, healthy, smooth skin is the talk of town.
Until then, don’t obsess over how to get rid of acne. Enjoy your teenage. Even with acne, it’s still a fun phase of life!