Holiday Handbook: Browse shopping deals, recipes, tips for gathering safely and more. Acne is something that only happens to high schoolers -- but if it does pop up later in life, just scrub your face a little harder, or pop a pimple or two to clear it up.
Absolutely wrong , actually. These may be the things we tell ourselves about the skin condition -- but they're just not true.
Jeannie Downie busts eight commonly-believed myths about all things acne. Acne is something that only happens to teenagers. Teens definitely do suffer from acne, but some people develop acne for the first time in their 20s or 30s.
In fact, in Manhattan's business districts, most patients treated for acne vulgaris are women between the ages of 20 and Acne occurs because your face is dirty. When you squeeze it, you're not only introducing bacteria and dirt from your fingers, but you're also releasing that gunk into the deeper layers of your skin, which could lead to more pimples, infection and swelling.
Even when your skin heals after a pimple, picking and squeezing makes it more likely you'll be left with flat brown or red marks, otherwise known as post-inflammatory pigmentation. Although they're not technically scars, these stubborn marks can take months or even years to fade! Which in my mind, makes them even worse than the acne itself.
What about those metal extractor things? I believe they're best left for the pros. There are two kinds; one is for acne with a scary needle on one end and the other is for blackheads and whiteheads with two loops, as above.
I own one of the latter, but it's SO easy to press too hard and damage your skin, for very little payoff. Have I convinced you yet that picking ain't worth it? Let's move on to topicals, then Another reason I've gone rogue and leave any pimples alone now, is because topicals have not been my friend. Think about it. Many or even most? When you put a spot treatment like benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid on top, you can end up drying out the surface level of your skin instead of down deep, where you really need it.
But that's not a spot treatment type of thing, and it takes at least six weeks of consistent use to start seeing results. Read my posts on the benefits of Retin-A , and how to use it without drying out your skin.
Personally, I'd much rather keep my skin well-moisturized and plump instead of using an acne treatment that makes my sensitive skin look dry, irritated and flaky Are we really any further ahead with a flaky-looking pimple instead of a regular one? As you might've guessed by now, I'm not a fan of aggressive acne cleansers or scrubs either, unless you happen to have a very resilient, thick and oily skin type.
They can strip away the skin's natural protective barrier, leaving it more vulnerable to infection and causing irritation. It is important to avoid using the fingernails, as they may puncture the skin, creating a skin injury and spreading bacteria.
Blackheads are different than whiteheads as the pore is already open at the top. Therefore, emptying a blackhead requires a different strategy. Another option is to use a blackhead extractor, although some experts state that these are only safe when dermatologists use them. These tools are usually metal and have a small open loop at the end. Acne can cause both physical scarring and emotional or mental distress. If a person has persistent acne that does not clear up with over-the-counter treatments, such as benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid, they should see a dermatologist.
A person should see a dermatologist if they have inflamed acne, which can include large pimples or painful cysts. They should never try to pop or extract this type of acne, as doing so can cause pain, infection, and permanent skin damage. People who frequently pick at acne or have an uncontrollable urge to pick their skin should also see a dermatologist. A dermatologist can prescribe specialized prescription medications that can help clear acne and prevent further scarring or skin damage.
They may also offer in-office procedures, such as professional extractions and skin peels. Dermatologists generally do not recommend that people try to pop or extract their acne. In many cases, a dermatologist can prescribe oral or topical treatments to help prevent acne. Try not to touch your face with your hands, either. Oils, bacteria and dirt on your fingers can cause breakouts, too.
Most of all, though, be gentle with your skin and have patience. Currently you have JavaScript disabled. In order to post comments, please make sure JavaScript and Cookies are enabled, and reload the page.
Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser. My Account Remember Me. Your cart is currently empty. What To Do Instead The first thing to do when you feel a new breakout coming on is to resist the urge to touch it!
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