Some General Tips to Avoid Acne

• Washing.
  
  cleaning the skin can help, but even people with very clean skin can have problems with acne. Try washing the affected areas two to three times per day. Don't overdo it. Too much washing can cause other skin problems, such as dryness or skin irritations. Try to keep hair clean and off the face and neck, since oil from the hair can make acne worse.
• Make-up.
  
  choose water-based, oil free products. Make-up worn during the day should be thoroughly removed at night.
• Don't squeeze.
  
  do not pick or squeeze pimples. This can get germs into the skin around the pimple and make things a lot worse. It can lead to scarring of the skin too.
• Stress.
  
  Stress can trigger an outbreak of pimples. Stress causes the release of chemicals into the brain that can make oil glands release more oil onto the skin. This is why pimples seem to magically appear on stressful days, such as at the time of an exam or special date. Usually it is difficult to control things like tests or special events, but it's important to know that the stress has brought on the outbreak. The outbreak is not a sign that the treatments do not work.
• Diet.
  
  many people think that lollies or chocolate cause pimples. Research has not been able to prove any such link, but some people find that it works this way for them. It is possible that a person eats chocolate when they are under a lot of stress, and that it is actually the stress that causes the pimples. However, healthy eating may help.

OTHER MEASURES THAT SHOULD BE FOLLOWED

1. Wash the skin once or twice a day with a mild soap. Do not scrub, as this may actually worsen acne.
2. Some skin care products, hair products, sunscreens and cosmetics may aggravate acne. Ask your health care provider for recommendations of products that are acceptable options.
3. There is no evidence that certain foods cause acne. However, if you notice a relationship between a specific food and acne, avoid it. Also, eating a balanced diet that includes adequate water intake is important to maintain healthy, clear skin.
4. Stress can cause an increase in acne and has a number of other negative effects on the body. Try to get an adequate amount of sleep and limit your amount of stress.
5. There are certain medications that can cause or worsen acne. These include progestin-dominant birth control pills, Depo-Provera?, androgens, Lithium, ACTH, INH, bromides, iodine, barbiturates, steroids and Dilantin. Talk with your health care provider if you have concerns that a medication may be worsening your acne. DO NOT stop taking the medication.
6. Avoid picking and squeezing acne lesions, as this can delay healing and cause scarring.

OTHER IMPORTANT POINTS

1. Do not treat yourself with large amounts of Vitamin A. Such self-treatment can lead to serious side effects, including liver damage.
2. Use of antibiotics, especially for long periods of time, may result in yeast infection, gastrointestinal irritation and sensitivity to sunlight.
3. Before using any topical medication, it is wise to test for a possible adverse reaction. This can be done by gently rubbing a small amount of a new medication into the skin on the inside of the wrist. A "reaction" or sensitivity, if there is one, is likely to show up in about 24 hours.
4. Acne is a skin problem consisting of mild to severe outbreaks of blackheads, pimples and cysts.
5. The triggers of acne include some of the hormones associated with puberty and stress.
6. Self-help strategies include washing the affected areas regularly, using water-based make-up and resisting the urge to squeeze or pick at spots.
7. See your doctor or chemist for information about possible treatments.

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