GET RID OF SPOTS

How To Help Teen Acne And Improve Skin Tone The Organic Way

If you've got zits, don't you need to get rid of them? Or presumably just put a paper carrier bag over your head? I know, I sure didn't wish them when I was growing up. It started long, way back when I was around 12 years of age. My mom didn't have this problem and who is able to say if my pop did, but all we knew was that I had zits. And that was the pits, period. Speaking of periods, mine started a year later on. Hmmm? Maybe there had been a connection? As a case of fact there was a connection between zits and puberty. Bummer.

Therefore naturally, like a good mom, my mom dragged me to two health food stores to search for natural paths to help me with my skin. Oh, that sure was fun! Clueless strangers taking a look at me with a confused look and giving me this or that remedy. I think they thought, “Please go away.” Confused, I tell you, bewildered! But on the other hand, so was I.

Moving on, I’d see some acne commercials and so a-ha! I know what the answer's! I need product X, Y, or Z! The ones I saw on TV and, voila, my acne will be gone! Some hits and misses but still no cigar, or should I say clear skin?

OK, okay, it's time to get take matters into my own hands and check out what there is in the medicine cupboard. Perhaps some of this alcohol or hydrogen peroxide might work? Oh, the sting and the burn, it's got to be working. Kill, kill, kill the acne now! What? I currently have dried out, irritated and peeling skin? How long must this go on?

Well, guess what? During my teenage years, even with the help of the old lady and my personal sorry attempts, I never found out what actually worked until I turned 18, during my senior year. Thank God for being 18! What made being 18 better? I realized I could make my own doctor’s appointments did so because by this time I’d had it!

Lo and behold, the doctor said, “Yup, you have a nice case of acne and you want prescriptions.” He prescribed two antibiotics, one internal and one topical and Retin-a. I finally got my acne in order, but my journey in the university years was much worse, but that is another story.

I ended up going to esthetics school in my late twenties and confirmed that I knew nothing about looking after my skin. Now, 15 years on, I am a professional at handling acne. Let me share with you what I have learned over the years:

Always wash your face 2x a day in the AM and PM.

If you wash your face too much, you can over dry your skin and your skin will overcompensate for the aridness by producing more oil. You lose and the acne wins.

Accept it or not but acneic skin needs hydration such as a hydrating toner, skin humectants, and/or an oil-free lotion. The hydration balances the oil and water moisture on the skin.

Acne needs scrubbing, but it relies on what level of acne you have. There are four grades of acne, from mild to serious. Some examples might be scrubs, exfoliating cleansers, hydroxy acids, enzymes or facial brushes. You’ve got to unclog those pores. This will vastly improve your self-esteem freshen your perspective as well.

Kill the acne bacteria. Benzoyl peroxide works the best, but there also are important oils, triclosan, and salicylic acid formulas. This is where you've got to be careful, yet careful not to overuse and cause too much irritation with a few of these.

Ultimately, I learned that pro products are way more effective than over the counter products. Why? OTC products sell to the masses so they do not make them as powerful. Professional products are more potent with higher active ingredients and more effective formulations and that's another reason why they do cost more. You're stumping up for the efficacy of the product.

Acne can be a challenge but it also can be manageable. It may take weeks and occasionally months to clear up, so bide your time. You may also need to try one or two products before you find what actually works for you. One of the most vital things is that you need somebody to help you with your skin, to adjust your skin treatment routine and to monitor your progress. Often, acne becomes worse when you are starting an efficient treatment program, so bide your time. There are solutions to zapping the spots and getting clearer, healthier skin.

Jennifer Monson is employed by drug rehabilitation San Diego and San Diego addictions treatment. Jennifer adores to write about many health subjects.