Successful Acne Treatments

The most common type of acne emerges as we enter puberty. This is because the creation of our skin oil (called sebum) is governed by the sex hormones (androgens). The more testosterone, 5-testosterone (DHT) and 5-androstene-317diol we produce, the more sebum our bodies make. Normally the sebum is excreted by our pores to keep our skin moist, supple and waterproof.

When we make too much sebum it can mix with bacteria and dead skin cells and block the pores. The bacteria grows which puts pressure on the clogged pore and the result is a blackhead or pimple. The theory of acne treatment is actually fairly simple and straightforward. Make an effort to minimize the body's production of sebum and continue to keep the skin free of oil and bacteria.

The practice is, of course, more complicated by the fact that you need to do these things without creating any more problems.

It can be unwise to mess with hormone production, particularly at such a crucial time of development, and using harsh astringents to dry your skin will leave it cracked, red and sore.

The answer lies in simple changes to how you eat, careful use of vitamins and the application of specially formulated soaps and cleansers.

Acne is not life-threatening and it will be part of your life for many years. Prescription drugs, even though they may rid you of the visible signs of acne, are rarely justified in any but the most severe cases.

Getting your acne under control begins with your diet. Initially you need to fix the inside before you can treat the outside. Most likely you heard it many times, but our modern high fast, fast food lifestyle is bad for us. Keep clear of processed and packaged food and consume only fresh fruit and vegetables, particularly the leafy green ones. Lean meat and nuts in moderation are fine and drink mostly water. Steer clear of surgary juices and carbonated beverages while cutting back on dairy products such as milk and ice cream.

You should think about taking supplemental vitamins but be cautious as overdosing on certain vitamins can do more harm than good. It's also a good idea to look for a vitamin program that is designed to specifically target acne.

Keeping your skin clear of excess oil and free of bacteria is a significant portion of your acne regimen. There are many soaps and cleanser formulated escpecially to keep your skin clean without reducing the natural oils that keep your skin smooth and supple.

Finally, resist the temptation to squeeze or pop your pimples. Doing so could result in and infection and possibly scarring that would stay with you for the rest of your life.

You can't cure acne but you can control it. Proper diet and a consistent cleansing regimen will reward you with a clear complexion free of blemishes.