Speed Bumps - Getting rid of acne, quick.
Aug 24 '01
The Bottom Line Choose a method that works for you and stay loyal to good skin practices. (Healthy diet, diligent cleansing, etc...)Love your skin and it will respond likewise!
Here's what you need to know about dealing with oily skin afflictions speedily.
Okay, so you've got a zit. Everyone has one, two or 122 at some point of their lives.
Whether it's a tiny bump or a raised red mountainous crater, zits cause unimaginable angst - adolescence notwithstanding. These fellows also have the habit of popping up at the most crucial of moments - when you desire to look your best (which is about all the time). Whether you have them once a month, twice a week or 24/7, zits never arrive alone either.
Tagging along merrily with them are blackheads, whiteheads and other associated oily friends. Talk about unwanted company… well, if you're already reading this, you should know. I won't bore you with the technicalities of zit formation and the like.
Come clean now, you just want those pimply protuberances off your face as soon as possible, right? So, let's cut to the chase and see what tools we shall wield to win the war against repressed, rebellious pores.
Blackheads and whiteheads: Raise your hands, any of you Asian sisters not plagued by these Dalmatian pore afflictions. Did I see a hand there? Liar.
Living in such tropical locations, it's only natural for our face to churn out extra oil because it's Mother Nature's nifty idea of au naturel protection from the sun. Think you'll save on sunscreen?
Well, sooner or later the mega doses of sebum produced will mix with your dead skin cells, dirt, make up, etc… and get stuck inside your pore. It becomes waxy, compacted and will sit there loyally without budging.
Black or white? Here's how to tell the difference: If your pores close around the hardened sebum, making a tiny white bump - it's officially known as a whitehead. If the hardened sebum is exposed to air and oxidizes - very much like how apple turns brown once sliced up and laid bare - it becomes a blackhead.
Some people get both forms clumped together, while other people get blackheads in some areas, and whiteheads in other areas. The T-Zone district is notorious for harbouring these greasy folks.
Strip tease - getting them all off! Pore strips, I'm sure you've heard of these. Slap it on and peel it off. Voila! You're blackhead-free! Does it work? Yes and no. Like many other things, the secret lies in the technique.
The secret is to ensure your treated area (usually the nose) is as clean and grease-free as possible. So, wash well, using warm water which softens the waxy plug and opens your pores.
Your cleanser is important too. Big tip: Use an oil-free cleanser!
No cleansing creams, lotions and even products containing essential oils like tea tree. Those costly plasters won't stick to your nose and remove the blackheads if you use cleansers containing oil.
Now, stick the pore strip on your still-wet nose. Smooth it out and wait for it to dry. Patience my dear, patience! Leave it on until it feels stiff as a board. This takes 15 to 30 minutes. Then, remove slowly - from the corners to the middle.
Another BIG tip: The slower you remove, the more blackheads will be ripped off! No hasty pulls like you do with Handyplast, although the ouch-factor is lower that way. Hey, remember, no pain no gain!
Wash off any residue left on your nose. If you do this right, you will get a lot of whiteheads and blackheads off. Oh boy, instant gratification!
Regular use of an AHA or BHA product, scrub and mask will help to keep them away. Let's move on to the next stage. Which are: pimples.
These are the consequences when your clogged pores get infected. Usually inflamed and 3D, your concealer can't hide it. How depressing… but hang on, don't dive into that Haagen Daz tub yet.
Here are a few tricks, which work quick.
Chill out: Besides harbouring Haagen Daz, your fridge also stores a zit-zapping secret: ice. If that funny feeling on your nose/forehead/chin tells you a pimple is on its way, reach into that freezer, grab an ice cube and ice it. Ice the area until you feel numb. This is the fastest way to halt inflammation and help skin to heal. Works overnight if you haven't experienced any swelling yet.
Killing spree: When your pimples have already swelled to Mount Kinabalu proportions, you need an antibiotic to kill the bacteria and halt infection. Your over-the-counter choices are benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, tea tree oil and neem oil.
1. Benzoyl peroxide: This is the standard, topical antibiotic treatment for acne. Available in 2.5%, 5% and 10% concentrations, it is usually in a white/tinted lotion or gel form. Simply dab onto your spots. Start with the lowest percentage and work your way up if results aren't satisfactory. May cause peeling, so don't be shocked if you happen to resemble a molting reptile after using these.
2. Salicylic acid: An exfoliating agent to keep pores clear, a 2% concentration has antibacterial properties as well. This is commonly found in a transparent gel form, so you don't have to worry about looking like a white-spotted guinea fowl. May cause peeling too.
3. Tea tree oil: A natural antiseptic. Tea tree oil, when applied directly onto spots, helps them heal without any nasty, peeling side effects and exotic fauna resemblance. Buy the pure essential oil and use full strength.
4. Neem oil: Lesser known than tea tree, but an equally powerful natural antiseptic. Available in cream form, this is an effective yet economical alternative to tea tree.
What not to do: Do not squeeze! No matter how tempting it may be. Squeezing pushes the plugs deeper and ruptures your skin on the inside, making the surrounding area vulnerable to infection. You may well know what happens when bacteria steps into the picture - ta-dah! Presenting…zits!
If you squeeze zits, the surrounding skin will get more inflamed and it would take an even longer time to heal. You may even squeeze too hard and scar yourself. Scars, you can't reverse. So, those metal blackhead extractors are a big no-no. Keep your fingers off too!
What to do: Repeat after me. Clean, clean, clean. Try to keep your face as clean as possible to prevent bacterial growth.
And you should:
1.Wash your face with a suitable cleanser.
2. Use a clean face towel after every wash and change your pillowcase daily.
3. Be diligent with your skincare routine. Scrub and mask regularly.
4. Stay away from junk food if you don't want a rubbish complexion.
5. Use non-comedogenic products. Screen your cosmetics for offending ingredients. Print out this list and use it when you go shopping: www.clearcomplexions.com/rateyour.htm
That's it then. Give this method a try and stand tall and proud. Because at the end of the day, zit or no zit, the only thing that should shine - is you! Good luck!
Note: If you still have serious acne after persevering with these techniques, I strongly urge you to see a dermatologist. You may need prescription medication for your problem.
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
haikugarden
|
|
Member: Chewli
Location: Malaysia
Reviews written: 17
Trusted by: 2 members
About Me:
Loves trying out new stuff, scrutinizing and picking them apart, giving you the details.
|
|
|
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.