Acne can vary from mild to very severe, with the severe conditions being extremely debilitating and distressing. It is also one of the commonest forms of skin disorder, affecting almost one person in sixteen in America alone, that's about 17 million people. And almost 85% of the population between the ages of 12 and 24 years will experience some form of acne during that period.
Of course although it is mainly seen as a young persons problem, acne is certainly not restricted to them and many adults suffer. Women seem to be more prone to acne in adulthood, with over a quarter of women in their forties reporting problems.
Fortunately there are things that we can do to lessen the chances of us getting acne, and to cope with it if we are unfortunate enough to be affected.
Probably the most basic thing is personal hygiene. Good practise is to clean your skin at least twice a day. Use a mild cleanser, and don't scrub your skin, this can aggravate acne and spread it. Be gentle, and dry your skin by patting it with a towel rather than rubbing it. Also don't forget to change your towels regularly.
On the subject of changing, change your clothes frequently, paying particular attention to the garments worn next to the skin. Go for natural fabrics such as cotton. Avoid wearing synthetics such as nylon and lycra these will trap body moisture and warmth enabling the acne causing bacteris to multiply and spread. Loose, comfortable fitting clothing is best.
When you wash your clothes, pay attention to the detergent you use. Go for a hypoallergenic detergent, these may be a little dearer but will not contain the sometimes harsh chemicals contained in many "ordinary" brands, some of them having been associated with cancer amongst other things. Your skin will thank you, and your incidence of acne will be less.
Exercise is very beneficial in the treatment and prevention of acne. One big benefit of exercise is the production of endorphins which are natural stress busters, and any acne sufferer will know that stress and depression will aggravate the condition. Of course it never hurts to keep fit anyway, but just a brisk walk two or three times a week will help. Remember to wear comfortable, loose clothing, preferably cotton, as mentioned before.
You can also help treat your acne with some common items found in most homes. Try dipping some cotton wool into the juice of freshly squeezed oranges and lemons. Dab it onto the affected areas. Let it dry, then gently wash off after about half an hour.
If you don't mind the smell, you can use fresh garlic, just peel the cloves, cut in half and rub on the acne. The natural antibiotic effect works wonders. In a similar vein, and less smelly, you can use potatoes as well, just peel and slice and rub onto your skin.
Not only do these help fight the acne, minimising redness, soreness, and itching, they also have a gentle cleansing effect on your skin. Try using some or all of the above and start managing your acne instead of it managing you.
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