How to Remove Pimples
Acne, better known as pimples, is the teen-agers worse nightmare, not to mention the adult population plagued by its untimely appearance. Caused by hormonal changes, pimples can be caused by such complex factors as stress or something as simple as polishing off a bag of chocolate all by yourself. The end result is swelled, clogged or inflamed pores due to blockages or infection.
Teen-age outbreaks are generally due to the hormonal changes taking place in the body at puberty. With many women outbreaks can follow the pattern of her menstrual cycles. This is because the skin is made up of millions of pores linked to the skins oil secreting glands. It is when these glands are blocked (with teens it can be dirt) or other reasons including stress, that the oil glands are triggered and pimples form.
For many people—especially teen-agers acne can be much more than just an outbreak that will eventually heal and go away. It causes embarrassment, can lead to low self-esteem in prolonged cases as well as lack of confidence due to their appearance. For this reason it is important to help them through each outbreak.
Drinking plenty of pure water is good at all ages. It helps by keeping the body flushed of toxins that only make matters worse while keeping the body hydrated. Eating a well balanced diet will also aid in the body’s natural functions.
By getting the right nutrients the body’s immune system can better help in areas of stress and periods of hormonal changes. By getting a good night’s sleep the body can with stand much more than it can without. Encourage teen-agers to stay away from greasy or fried foods whenever possible.
People with oily skin should take care to keep it clean and hydrated at all times. Use a wash cloth soaked in very warm water to apply heat to the affected areas (hold the cloth over the face or any other area). This will draw the infection toward the skin’s surface and aid in a quicker healing process.
Applying a small amount of fresh lemon juice can help the skin and work as a deep cleansing agent in the open pores. It is well known for its anti-bacterial properties. Be sure to wash it off in about an hour. With clean hands this can be the ideal time to gently pop any large white or yellowish headed pimples. Remember, if the pimples do pop be sure to wash the pus away in order to avoid spreading any infection.
If the problem is blackheads rather than infected pores wash the face in the same manner. Because blackheads are generally in a tighter pore the use of a small instrument called a pimple remover may work more to your advantage. It is about the size of a toothpick. It has a small hole at one end that is placed over the blackhead and gentle pressure is applied until the blackened contents are extracted.
Pimples that do not come to a head or appear only as red bumps should not be messed with. Chances are they will never come to a head and the only thing you will accomplish by picking at them is to leave an unsightly scar. This type of acne needs to be kept clean and treated with a good acne medication which should be dabbed on several times a day.
Women should make acne treatment a part of their everyday skincare. This is especially true if oily skin is a problem or if hormonal changes during the menstrual cycles are problematic. Follow a good cleansing routine both in the mornings and in the evenings before retiring.
During adolescence or for teen-agers applying ice to the affected areas can help by reducing the size of the pimples. Keep the ice (wrapped in a thin cloth) applied to the pimples until they have shrunk to almost invisible. They may also appreciate a tinted acne medication to help camouflage the problem areas. Buy a product that has 10% benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid or sulfur in it.
Both tea tree oil and papaya can help during pimple outbreaks with the recommendation to start either medication at the first signs of any problem arising rather than once pimples have taken a hold. The healing can take place much more efficiently as well as effectively because of their anti-bacterial properties.
Other good commercial medications are Pronexin, Acnepril and Orovo Acne. Antibiotics are also effective including erythromycin or tetracycline. The bacteria, however, can become resistant and there are side effects so choose your product carefully.
When dealing with large unsightly pimples dental floss can prove useful. Wrap dental floss around fingers as if you were going to floss. With the floss taunt in the middle place it right above to pimple and pull the floss firmly across the skin and through the pimple. Repeat this step until the pimple is removed. Generally once or twice is all that is needed. Wash the area with warm water then dab with lemon juice.
Another popular way to remove acne is by using an everyday product everyone has—toothpaste. Choose paste over gel as its ingredients fights bacteria killing the infection quickly. Also, many claim that dabbing mouthwash onto open pores once pimples have been popped works very well as its properties are antiseptic and will help stop any bleeding as well.
Garlic is a well known ingredient in natural or home remedies for infections and other skin conditions because of its anti-bacterial properties. Cloves of garlic can be eaten each day or they can be crushed into a paste and applied to the affected area. Cucumber can be used alone as a face-pack or with lemon juice (astringent) as a pimple treatment.
There are many products available on the market today but the most effective treatment is to take preventative measures against them—with a vengeance if need be. Watch what you eat, drink plenty of water and keep your face and hands (always touching your face) clean.
