How to get rid of pimples

Acne vulgaris is a problem that can affect young and old alike. It is extremely prevalent in preteens and in the teenage years. It usually occurs along with puberty. What happens is that during puberty male hormones are excreted by both male and female alike. These hormones cause a rise in the amount of oils that are produced in the skin. These oils normally function as a lubricant and protective agent for the skin. This condition starts during puberty however it can be present for decades in some people. Acne has been seen in women in their 40’s.

In acne, the sebaceous or oil glands are clogged by cells at the surface of the skin. This causes a build up of oils or sebum underneath the skin’s surface. This triggers bacteria that is normally present in and on the skin’s surface to start multiplying and attacking the area around the gland. Surrounding tissues will be infected as well. Pimples, pustules, and boils are the result of this occurrence.

There is no one real cause for acne or breakouts of pimples on the skin. In many cases it can be a combination of things that cause pimples to become a problem. As stated above, having higher than normal amounts of oil in the skin can cause breakouts. Other factors can cause problems with acne and pimples as well. Researchers feel that in women hormones play an intricate role in this problem. Many women report that they experience breakouts right before or during their menstrual cycles. Diet can play a role in how severe breakouts occur as well. There has been research that has shown that diets high in fatty foods, greasy foods, and chocolate may trigger pimples in some people.

Due to these facts, treating pimples or acne is a highly individual course. There are some things that everyone can do however to reduce the amounts of oil and bacteria on the skin. First, find a mild cleanser and toner. Wash the skin thoroughly especially on the face, neck, chest, back, and upper arms. These are the areas that pimples usually tend to occur on the body. Second, treat any pimple with a mild benzyl peroxide cream. Third, reduce the amount of fatty foods and grease in the diet. This can help to reduce the amount of oil that is produced on the skin. Some people may have different dietary triggers that cause them to break out with acne. Some experimentation may need to be done to find out which foods are triggering breakouts. The way to do this is to take one food out of the diet for a period of five to seven days, then reintroduce it. Follow up the next week by removing another food from the diet and document the results until the offending foods are found. Once the foods have been identified, they should be eliminated or severely limited in the daily diet.

There are some essential oils and masques that can be made to help reduce the amount of breakouts that someone has to experience. These are designed to help reduce the inflammation in the facial area and treat bacterial invasion. Lavender essential oil, rosemary essential oil and chamomile essential oil are very good in soothing the tissues of the face and helping to reduce inflammatory processes. Dilute 5 drops of each of the above oils in 1 to 2 ounces of jojoba oil or grapeseed oil and apply small amounts to the face or affected areas twice a day. Tea tree oil is well known for its antibacterial qualities. It can help to kill bacteria that is present on the skin. Tea tree can be used neat in small amounts. Place one to two drops on a cotton swab and then dab it on the pimples or around the affected area. You can also add five to ten drops of tea tree oil to the mixture of lavender and other essential oils listed above and use twice daily as a preventative measure as well.

Green French clay makes a wonderful masque. Use two to three teaspoons of the clay and mix it with a teaspoon of calendula petals, chamomile, lavender buds, and rosemary. Mix a small amount of water to the mixture and place it on the face and neck. Allow this mixture to dry and then remove with a warm wash cloth using gentle strokes. This can be repeated up to twice weekly. This helps to open the pores of the face and neck and removes deep impurities of the skin.

Keeping the skin clean and not overly dry will help reduce breakouts of acne and pimples. However some people will have severe cases of this problem. There are medications and other treatments that can be utilized. If you have severe acne that is not responding to conservative treatment, please seek out the care of a dermatologist for further treatment.

Last updated on Feb 3rd, 2010 and filed under How-to Guide. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

Comments are closed