Acne is a disorder of the skin that causes your skin to be spotted by pimples, blackheads, red swellings, or cysts. While it’s most common in teenagers, it can afflict people of all ages.
In most cases pimples are caused by an increase in skin gland activities. This just means that in skin there are hair follicles, and normal, natural skin oil that drains out of a pore or hair follicle gets clogged. The clogged pore forms a blemish called a blackhead as the trapped oil oxidizes, dries out, and then turns black.
If the pore is so clogged that no air gets to it, a whitehead pimple forms. This is just a little infection under the skin, but it can turn into a cyst when germs breed in the backed up oil. It is the cysts that leave a permanent scar. Pimples do not scar unless they are infected by squeezing and picking.
Believe it or not, one of the best ways to get rid of pimples and cure acne is to relax. Seriously! Tension and emotions activate the skin glands. Studies have shown that people experience increased acne just before important events, like before exams or a big night. It’s cruel, I know, but the stress of getting ready for the prom, or studying for a big test, can cause you to break out.
Top 3 Ways to avoid Pimples and Acnes
- First, wash the pimple areas gently with your hand or a soft washcloth. This is very important to getting rid of acne fast, but is just as important if you want to prevent acne from coming back. Remember to wash the oily areas of your body where acne can occur, like your face and back, and chest. You can even use shampoo on your body as it helps trap oil and can keep your skin clear.
- Second- don’t pop the zits! After washing, get some warm salt water on a cotton ball. You can hold the hot soaked cotton over the pimple for a few minutes- give it enough time to really open up your pores. Sometimes this is enough to clear the blackheads.
- Third, make sure you use a sterilized sewing needle or safety pin- you can clean it with rubbing alcohol. Don’t use a match or lighter as that just makes the pin more dirty! Make a tiny pinprick in the white pimple and GENTLY drain it out.
Finally, gently soak the popped pimple with the cotton and warm salt water again- don’t scrub, rub, or really dig in as that will leave a nasty red irritation and might scar.
