Ringworm, Acne & Skin Care

The most frequent type of acne appears when 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 produce too much sebum it can combine with bacteria and dead skin cells to block the pores. The bacteria multiplies which puts pressure on the plugged pore and the result is a blackhead or zit. The theory of acne treatment can be uncomplicated and straightforward. Try to minimize the body’s production of sebum and 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.

You don’t want to mess with hormone production, particularly at such a critical time of development, and using harsh astringents to dry you 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. First you’ll need to fix your inside prior to treating the outside. You’ve probably heard it before, but our modern high fat, fast food lifestyle is really bad. 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. Avoid sugary juice and carbonated drinks and cut way back on dairy products like milk and ice cream.

You should consider taking supplemental vitamins but overdosing on certain vitamins can do you more harm than good. It’s a good idea to find a vitamin program that’s designed to target acne.

Keeping your skin clear of excess oil and free of bacteria is a significant portion of your acne regimen. There are many specially formulated soaps and cleaners on the market designed to keep your skin clean without depleting the natural oils that keep your skin smooth and supple.

Lastly, as tempting as it is, try to avoid squeezing or popping your zits. Doing so could result in and infection and possibly scarring that would stay with you for the rest of your life.

Acne can’t be cured but you can control it. Proper diet and a consistent cleansing regimen will reward you with a clear complexion free of blemishes.