For a Smooth, Blemish Free Skin

A pimple on the nose may not seem like an earth-shattering disaster (unless, of course, you are the unfortunate person on the other end of the affected nose) but acne can get much more serious than a simple pimple. Acne is the common, catch-all term used for a variety of symptoms that can range from pimples, whiteheads, blackheads, clogged pores and spots, to lesions, pustules and infected cysts that blight the larger part of our teenage years. It is probably every teenager's worst nightmare, though it can follow some people into middle-age and beyond. There are women who are still breaking out after four kids and 25 years of marriage.

Bingeing on junk food may cause a nasty bout of acne. So can stress, sun, to exposure to the elements, seasonal and climate changes. Women who tend to use heavy make-up, and those who take birth-control pills are also vulnerable to skin eruptions.

But if you eat nothing but salads, practise yoga and lead a stress-free life, you could still get acne, because acne-prone skin could have something to do with your genes. If both your parents had suffered from acne, there is a two in three chance that you will get acne too. But before you throw away your cosmetics and decide to hide yourself under bed covers for the rest of your life, or at least for the larger part of your adolescence, remember this. Getting rid of acne can be surprisingly simple.

Here is some expert advice to get rid of those unsightly zits, bumps and clogged pores that remind you of volcanic eruptions on early Earth.

Change your diet. Seafood, cheese, potatoes, fried items, excess salt, sugar and food that contains high doses of iodine are believed to precipitate acne. Excess iodine is excreted through oil glands. When that happens, it clogs the pores and brings on an acne flare-up.

Unsuitable make-up is another perpetrator of clogged pores. The pigments used in foundations, rouges and moisturisers are more often than not oil - or cream-based, and using them on acne-prone skin is invitation for disaster. The skin is a crucial organ for the body to expel metabolic wastes. Every time we sweat, our bodies excrete salts, water and other metabolic by-products. The skin needs to breathe just like the rest of us, and it is important to keep it free from make-up for at least eight to 10 hours a day (particularly when you sleep) so that the waste matter can be excreted, and the skin gets the opportunity to regenerate itself.

MAKE-UP TO USE

If you must use make-up, avoid foundation creama altogether, or go for foundations that are water-based. Use minimal amounts of foundation and pack it in with a light dusting of powder to keep the oil from clogging the pores. Read the labels carefully before purchasing a product. Cosmetic products that contain lanolins, iso-propyl mistrates and sulfates should be strictly avoided if you have oily skin. Like oil, these are too rich for the skin. Birth-control pills rich in oestrogen change the hormone balance of the body and can sometimes cause a flare up. If this is the case, stop consumption of the pills immediately and consult your doctor for a suitable alternative.

Acne-prone skin is best kept clean with a mild, antibiotic face wash. Make sure you rinse your face with fresh water six or seven times to wash off all the lather. You can also dip cotton wool in rose water just before you go to bed and dab it gently on your skin to cleanse it of impurities, before applying any medication. Remember, a clean skin is a healthy skin.

Do not squeeze or pinch pimples and whiteheads, as it may lead to an infection. If the attack of acne is mild, try a variety of home remedies to dry out the zits. Here are some home-grown tips to deal with the sporadic bouts of acne:

1) Try putting a glob of white toothpaste on the pimple before you go to bed. It will help reduce the swelling and dry out whiteheads. Mix talcum powder with water to make a paste and apply it on the pimple. This is supposed suck out all the nasty stuff.

2) Mix a teaspoonful of rose water with two teaspoonfuls of vinegar. Dab the mixture gently on the affected area using cottonwood.

3) Crush an aspirin tablet, mix it with water and apply on the affected area. Aspirin contains salicylic acid which is a great exfoliater and splendid cure for puss-filled pimples.

4) A paste of besan and rice flour can be applied to the face. Once dry, use a face scrub to gently cleanse and exfoliate the face. It will leave your skin looking radiant and clear out whiteheads and clogged pores.

5) For large pimples that have not yet formed a head, tie an ice cube in a clean hanky and place it on the pimple. It will reduce the swelling and help the skin to re-absorb the sebum. It also prevents scarring of the skin.

6) You can also use over-the-counter creams with benzoyl peroxide in them. Benzoyl peroxide kills bacteria that inflame the skin, and at the same time, also suppresses the release of excess sebum that irritates the pores. Benzoyl peroxide however tends to dry out skin, so it is not advisable to leave it on overnight. Leave it on for an hour or two and thoroughly wash it off with water.

Acute cases of acne may be accompanied by severe inflammation that turns red or purple. In such cases, do not try home remedies, but consult a dermatologist immediately. Do not mix treatments. If you are given a prescription medicine for your acne, do not combine it with any other over-the-counter cream without prior consultation with your dermatologist as it might lead to unwanted side-effects like rashes or itching.

A smooth, blemish-free skin is a dream come true for every young woman and man. With a little care and discipline, the scourge of acne can be quite easily dealt with so that it leaves behind no tell-tale marks.