by Angelica
Candelaria 6/13/09
During my academic career, I was the recipient of multitudes of taunts. I likewise
witnessed how classmates mocked others for a variety of reasons, among them the various
skin conditions of our fellow peers, some of who suffered from acne. Although I myself
was not plagued by it, I was well acquainted with the pain of being rejected and mercilessly
teased for an aspect of your physical appearance that was either unalterable or difficult
to control.
As a teenager, it is your hope that acne will clear with age, that the disparaging
remarks will cease. This may well become the reality in many instances, but what of
those among us who develop acne as adults and suffer the social anxiety and even depression
that accompany it? It is unfortunate, yet adults can be just as cruel as adolescents
in their assessments of others.
Acne reportedly affects 25% of men and 50% of women. While the majority of these cases
began during puberty and persisted into adulthood, there are those who develop acne
later in life, having never exhibited previous signs of it. This can be disconcerting.
How is it that a problem commonly linked to puberty can afflict those in their 20s,
30s, and beyond?
There are various potential causes of adult acne, among them hormonal changes, stress,
genetic predisposition, and the use of acne inducing medications and hair/skin products.
However, adult acne may also be due to an underlying medical condition. If you are
a female and your sudden onset of acne is accompanied by excessive facial and body
hair, irregular menstrual cycles, thinning scalp hair, and difficulty maintaining
your weight, you may be suffering from PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome), a common
hormonal disorder among women. If you notice any of these other symptoms, please contact
your physician.
If you have acne for the first time and there are no accompanying symptoms, it is
generally recommended that you visit a dermatologist to determine the cause of it
in order to apply the appropriate treatment. Acne during adulthood is more difficult
to treat than teen acne. As an adult, your skin has undergone certain changes since
adolescence. The many acne products on the market geared toward teenagers contain
ingredients that combat oily skin and would dry out the skin of a typical adult, thereby
aggravating your condition.
If you decide to try an over the counter solution before visiting your dermatologist,
there are various acne-fighting products available that are specifically formulated
for adult skin, including Murad Acne Complex, L'Oreal Special Care Acne Response Daily
Adult Regimen, Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle, Anti-Blemish, Aveeno Clear Complexion,
and Dermalogica mediBac Clearing Adult Acne Treatment Kit. With most over the counter
treatments, there should be a noticeable improvement within six to eight weeks. If
there is not, you must visit your doctor. You may require a prescription topical treatment
or oral medication.
If you are more inclined toward the holistic approach, there are various home remedies
you can try:
*Although it may sting, apply spirit of camphor to your pimples. This will dry them
out.
*Apply an icepack to your open pores in order to diminish them.
*Use fresh lemon juice or fresh apricots as a facial wash. Afterward, rinse it off
with water.
*Apply cucumber slices to the infected areas. For a facial mask, combine cucumber,
lettuce, and carrot.
*Wash your face with raw milk.
*Dissolve a teaspoon of Epsom salts in a cup of hot water and apply with a cotton
ball, or dissolve a bag of papaya-mint tea into a cup of hot water and apply to the
affected areas in order to remove blackheads.
*Apply Milk of Magnesia to the infected areas for ten minutes, then rinse off.
*Open your pores by covering your head with a towel and taking a steam from boiled
water. Thereafter, rinse your face with cold water. Do this twice a week.
*Apply egg yolk and leave it on for 15 minutes.
*Apply aloe vera juice or gel to the infected areas.
*Mix bran (or oats) and buttermilk for a deep cleansing facial scrub.
*For a natural moisturizer, combine 5 drops of glycerin, ΒΌ teaspoon vinegar, and 2
drops of camphor with a bottle of rose water.
*Gently rub a combination of cucumber and peels of bitter gourd onto your face once
a day for 3 to 5 days. This will help reduce acne and blackheads, as well as remove
pimples.
Many have long believed that improper nutrition and poor hygiene play a role in the
development of acne. Although these two factors are now believed to be myths, it is
always wise to maintain a healthy lifestyle. For those who believe diet can either
trigger acne or prevent it, the following is suggested:
*Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water daily to flush out the toxins from your body.
*Eat a diet high in fiber that includes whole grains, fresh fruits, and vegetables.
*Avoid dairy products.
*Decrease your consumption of caffeine, sugar, refined processed foods, high fat meats
and foods containing iodine.
Insofar as other lifestyle changes, you are strongly encouraged to:
*Refrain from touching the affected areas with unclean hands.
*Limit your exposure to the sun.
*Keep from washing your face in a vigorous manner.
*Not squeeze your pimples, as this may lead to more blemishes.
Do not be discouraged. Although adult acne can be a stubborn ailment, it can be successfully
combated with the proper course of treatment.
Comments