Pimples are a serious adolescence problem. They appear on the cheeks, forehead and the nose. Six out of ten teenagers suffer from this problem. It is very common among teenagers and people in their twenties.
Why do Pimples and Acne flare up in Youth?
Acne is not caused by germs. The male sex hormones cause acne. As soon as one crosses childhood and enters the threshold of adolescence, different parts of our body start developing. The oil glands underneath the skin become over-active and ooze grease. This often blocks the pores and pimples sprout.
What to do in case of pimples?
Acne is a deformed type of pimple. Usually, young people pinch the pimple with their nail that results in infection. Acne is a chronic skin disease affecting the sebaceous glands. The mouth of the small sebaceous ducts get clogged with dust or dirt and forms little pustules. These pustules are surrounded by slight inflammation and then burst. Whiteheads are another form of acne. They look like hard white granules under the skin. In case of whiteheads wash the skin with Neem or sulfur soap adding borax to the water. In case the patient is a female and is suffering from irregularities of menstruation, the problem should be attended immediately.
The Effects of Hormones:
Androgen increases the amount of formation of grease thus blocking the opening of glands. The male sex hormones (androgens) cause acne. At puberty, in boys the androgens cause the voice to break, the beard to grow, the skin to become greasy and spots to erupt. All women have both female hormones (estrogen and progesterone) and androgens. Acne is due to an imbalance of these hormones and not due to extra male hormones. Greasy skin, excess of facial and body hair and the thinning of scalp hairs can also be due to this imbalance. Most people grow out of acne in their twenties while some in their late thirties. In most women, changes in the balance of female hormones at period times cause a few acne spots each month. The oral contraceptive pills may either improve acne or make it worse. The beard area is often the worse affected in older women, the shoulders, back and chest are often involved and may be worse than the face.
How to treat Acne?
There is a vast and bewildering array of preparations of acne lotions, gels, creams, ointments, scrubs and soaps. Many are of slight benefit while some are harmful. Antibiotics and Retinoic Acid (from Vitamin A) are successful in treating acne. Steroid creams must never be used on acne as they harm the individual later on. Consult your doctor before you get depressed and discouraged. Bad acne needs a doctor's help only. Acne preparations will not cure bad acne. Sunlight usually improves acne. Avoid use of Suntan oil that blocks the pores. Artificial sun lamps or UVA lamps are not as helpful. Thick heavy make-up will make acne worse and must be avoided.
Herbal Remedies for Pimples and Acne:
Do only Teenagers get Acne?
NO. Although acne is most common between the ages of 13 to 18 years, it can also be found in adults. But a thorough survey indicates that almost 80 per cent of teenagers suffer from acne.
Will squeezing an acne blemish cause scarring?
Yes, Remember, each time you squeeze a pimple, you are at risk to scarring. It also depends on the severity of your acne and your skin’s tendency to mark easily. Early treatment by a skin specialist reduces the risk of aggravation.
Is wearing lots of make-up harmful? Yes, excess of make-up can worsen acne. It may cause an outbreak or irritate acne that's already there. Don't use moisturizers that are too heavy as they may block skin pores. Always use water based make-up and moisturizers.
What anti acne products are available at chemists? There are several creams and lotions available in the market that can help reduce acne. But since acne can vary from being an odd spot to a serious outbreak, a skin specialist will be the right person to advise you on the correct treatment.
Are chocolates and fatty foods harmful for Acne? Not always, these days diet is not usually restricted, although sometimes there are exceptions. It is better to avoid eating fried and heavy foods. The best diet for those with acne is a well-balanced one as good nutrition will strengthen the body and keep your skin healthy and sparkling.
Does stress cause acne and pimples? No, emotional stress does not cause pimples and acne but can make it worse. If you suffer from stress, have a full night sleep.
Why do Pimples and Acne flare up in Youth?
Acne is not caused by germs. The male sex hormones cause acne. As soon as one crosses childhood and enters the threshold of adolescence, different parts of our body start developing. The oil glands underneath the skin become over-active and ooze grease. This often blocks the pores and pimples sprout.
What to do in case of pimples?
- Use sulfur soap to keep oil glands clean.
- Clean the day's make-up at night before going to bed.
- Steam your face once in a week to keep the pores open.
- A Fuller's earth (Multani mitti) pack is an effective means of controlling pimples.
- Take a spoonful of honey mixed with rose water daily.
- Apply cucumber juice mixed with rose water.
- Do not neglect pimples. Be alert as soon as they start appearing.
- Cut down blood heating foods, such as sweets, fats and spicy foods.
- Do not peel off pimples - that makes them septic and they may leave behind permanent marks and damage your looks.
Acne is a deformed type of pimple. Usually, young people pinch the pimple with their nail that results in infection. Acne is a chronic skin disease affecting the sebaceous glands. The mouth of the small sebaceous ducts get clogged with dust or dirt and forms little pustules. These pustules are surrounded by slight inflammation and then burst. Whiteheads are another form of acne. They look like hard white granules under the skin. In case of whiteheads wash the skin with Neem or sulfur soap adding borax to the water. In case the patient is a female and is suffering from irregularities of menstruation, the problem should be attended immediately.
The Effects of Hormones:
Androgen increases the amount of formation of grease thus blocking the opening of glands. The male sex hormones (androgens) cause acne. At puberty, in boys the androgens cause the voice to break, the beard to grow, the skin to become greasy and spots to erupt. All women have both female hormones (estrogen and progesterone) and androgens. Acne is due to an imbalance of these hormones and not due to extra male hormones. Greasy skin, excess of facial and body hair and the thinning of scalp hairs can also be due to this imbalance. Most people grow out of acne in their twenties while some in their late thirties. In most women, changes in the balance of female hormones at period times cause a few acne spots each month. The oral contraceptive pills may either improve acne or make it worse. The beard area is often the worse affected in older women, the shoulders, back and chest are often involved and may be worse than the face.
How to treat Acne?
There is a vast and bewildering array of preparations of acne lotions, gels, creams, ointments, scrubs and soaps. Many are of slight benefit while some are harmful. Antibiotics and Retinoic Acid (from Vitamin A) are successful in treating acne. Steroid creams must never be used on acne as they harm the individual later on. Consult your doctor before you get depressed and discouraged. Bad acne needs a doctor's help only. Acne preparations will not cure bad acne. Sunlight usually improves acne. Avoid use of Suntan oil that blocks the pores. Artificial sun lamps or UVA lamps are not as helpful. Thick heavy make-up will make acne worse and must be avoided.
Herbal Remedies for Pimples and Acne:
- Slake lime in water in the ratio of 1 part to 20 parts and mix to it two parts of finely powdered sulfur. The mixture should be boiled till about half is left. A light coat of this fluid should be applied to the acne.
- Grind yellow seashells (kauris) and mix with butter and a small quantity of vinegar to make a paste. Apply the paste to the affected parts of your face. This will cure acne.
- Grind together the bark of the Oris tree (Irsa), neem leaves and turmeric. Mix with water to make a paste. It should be rubbed on the affected parts.
- Mix 25 gms of mashed raspberries with 1 teaspoon each of plain curd and finely ground oatmeal to make a paste. Apply on the affected parts of face and leave for ten minutes. This helps in clearing minor pimples and blemishes.
- Boil one liter of water with 50 gm raspberry leaves for 5 minutes thus making a very pleasant and soothing wash for itching skin caused by pimples, acne and scabs. It helps to arrest pimples.
- Make a paste of one teaspoon pure sulfur powder, 2 tablespoons Fuller's earth and one egg white. Use this mask every day to cure acne. Some people are allergic to sulfur, so a skin test behind the ear should be conducted before use. If there is no reaction for a few hours, use this mask every day.
- Mash and sieve onion and mix the onion juice with one tablespoon Fuller's earth or kaolin and one teaspoon honey. This pack is good for prevention of acne and blemishes.
- Rub a piece of sandalwood on a clean stone using a little rose water or cucumber juice to make a paste. This pack will help to relieve pimples and acne. Important tips to avoid Pimples and Acne:
- A person suffering from acne should be very careful about what he or she eats. Fruits and boiled vegetables are the best in such cases.
- Care should be taken to keep the bowels clear and to avoid indigestion.
- Sour and spicy eatables should be avoided.
- Ghee, butter, oils and sweets should be avoided.
- The affected parts must be thoroughly cleaned and rubbed with a soft towel. Any soap may be used but a little borax should be added to the water. The patients suffering from irregularities of menstruation must solve their menstrual problems first.
Do only Teenagers get Acne?
NO. Although acne is most common between the ages of 13 to 18 years, it can also be found in adults. But a thorough survey indicates that almost 80 per cent of teenagers suffer from acne.
Will squeezing an acne blemish cause scarring?
Yes, Remember, each time you squeeze a pimple, you are at risk to scarring. It also depends on the severity of your acne and your skin’s tendency to mark easily. Early treatment by a skin specialist reduces the risk of aggravation.
Is wearing lots of make-up harmful? Yes, excess of make-up can worsen acne. It may cause an outbreak or irritate acne that's already there. Don't use moisturizers that are too heavy as they may block skin pores. Always use water based make-up and moisturizers.
What anti acne products are available at chemists? There are several creams and lotions available in the market that can help reduce acne. But since acne can vary from being an odd spot to a serious outbreak, a skin specialist will be the right person to advise you on the correct treatment.
Are chocolates and fatty foods harmful for Acne? Not always, these days diet is not usually restricted, although sometimes there are exceptions. It is better to avoid eating fried and heavy foods. The best diet for those with acne is a well-balanced one as good nutrition will strengthen the body and keep your skin healthy and sparkling.
Does stress cause acne and pimples? No, emotional stress does not cause pimples and acne but can make it worse. If you suffer from stress, have a full night sleep.
