How to Fight Acne
If there is one thing that all of us have been through at one point or another in our lives, it is acne. The pimples and blackheads that start when we are teenagers and sometimes follow us into adulthood are a constant struggle that we all can identify with. At times, it may seem like the fight will never end, but there are some things that you can do to turn the tide in this battle against acne.
Keep Your Face Clean
This may seem pretty obvious, but washing your face every day is one of the best ways to combat acne. Warm water, a gentle facial cleanser, and a soft cloth (or your hands) are powerful tools in the quest for healthy, clear skin. Don’t scrub very hard or use a harsh soap, as both of these will irritate your skin and have the opposite effect of what you are trying to accomplish. Also, make sure that the water is warm, not hot, as hot water will dry the skin and make cleaning harder to do without irritation. Using the washcloth only once before putting it in the laundry will also help to keep your skin clean in the future.
Hydrate and Moisturize
A lot of the products to use for treating acne can cause your skin to dry out, so using a moisturizer, especially after washing your face with a cleansing product, will help to combat this and help your skin clear up at the same time. It will also help your skin to not become so easily irritated. Another way to help moisturize the skin is by increasing your water intake to the recommended levels. Eight glasses a day is a good rule of thumb.
Try an Over-the-Counter Medicine
The first two tips are great tools for sure, but if your acne is severe enough, you may need a little extra help. Stop by your local pharmacy to see what they have available as far as OTC acne treatment. These are usually creams or gels that contain ingredients such as lactic acid and benzoyl peroxide. However, be warned that a little goes a long way with these kinds of treatments. Using more than a little at a time is sure to lead to irritation and even more breakouts.
If the over-the-counter treatments don’t help, then it may be time to pay a visit to a dermatologist in Palo Alto. The doctors in these offices have seen it all before, and they will be the best ones to tell you what the next steps are that you should take, as well as potentially prescribe medications to help get your skin back on track.
Disclaimer: We are unable to guarantee any result, even though most of our patients do see success. The results of our services will vary greatly to each patient’s level of commitment and compliance with the program.
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