Acne treatment - Home Remedies

Acne treatment is the most sough after treatment in the middle of the younger age group. Acne is a general and chronic skin ailment. It is an provocative condition of the sebaceous glands and hair follicles. The lesions are generally found on the skin of the face, neck, chest and shoulders. Almost six out of ten young inhabitants between the ages of twelve and twenty-four suffer from some point of acne. The disease causes a great deal of awkwardness at an age when people tend to be susceptible about their personal appearance. 

Causes of Acne Vulgaris

Acne may be caused due to incorrect consumption behavior and continual constipatio

All types of acne have their starting point in wrong consumption habits. Unbalanced hours of eating, too much starch utilization, too much of sugar, fried and fatty foods are also general causes of acne. Chronic constipation is one more cause of acne vulgaris. If the bowels do not move properly, the waste matter is not eliminated as rapidly as it should be and the bloodstream becomes surcharged with poisonous matter. The further efforts of the skin to get rid of excess waste result in acne and other forms of skin diseases.

Devitalised situation of skin

Acne is also caused due to a devitalised order of the skin which is a result of unhealthy living habits, too much consumption of tea, coffee, alcohol or tobacco, and inactive habits, which lead to digestive disorders and general debility.

Home Remedies for Acne: Management and Remedy

Acne treatment with Vitamins

Two vitamins, specifically, niacin and vitamin A have been used effectively to treat acne. Vitamin analysis should comprise the intake of 100 mg niacin, three times on a daily basis, and 50,000 global units of vitamin A, three period daily. Vitamin E, 400 mg, should be taken once on a daily basis. This rehabilitation should be continued for a month.

Acne treatment by means of Zinc

One more effective remedy in the region of nourishment that seems to offer new promise of help for acne is zinc. It has shown staged results in some cases. Zinc should be taken in salutary doses of 50 mg three periods a day. Zinc is obtainable in tablet and in capsule form. In pill form, it is available as Zinfet - 200 mg (Yash Pharma, Bombay). The patient can take a quarter tablets so as to obtain 50 mg of zinc. In capsule shape, zinc is available as Ulseal 220 mg (Tam Pharmaceuticals). One-fourth of the powder within the capsule can be taken as a lone dose. The patient can take a dose of 50 mg daily equal to one month or till there is noticeable enhancement and then decrease the dose to 25 mg

Home Remedy for Acne by means of Orange peel

Home-based Acne Treatment using Orange peel has been found very useful. Pound the orange skin with water on a piece stone and apply to acne affected areas. One of the good home remedies for acne.

Home Remedies for Acne via Lemon

An easy medicine at home for acne: Lemon juice applied frequently has proved very valuable in reducing pimples and acne.

Garlic:

Garlic has been used profitably to heal acne. Massage with raw garlic several times a day. Garlic is known to have cured the toughest of acne difficulty. The outside use of garlic helps to clear the skin of spots, pimples and boils. Acne can more be cured by intake of three seeds of raw garlic once on a daily basis for a month. This purifies the blood stream and ensures basic purification of blood keeping acne away.

Coriander and Mint Juice: Home Remedies forAcne

A teaspoon of coriander juice, mixed with a pinch of turmeric powder, is an additional effective home medicine for pimples and blackheads. The combination should be applied to the face after carefully washing it each night before retiring. Mint juice can be used in a similar mode as coriander juice. This is one of the best home remedies for acne.

Acne treatment by means of Fenugreek

Fenugreek is a new useful therapy for acne. A paste made of the leaves of this vegetable, applied over the face each night earlier than going to bed and washed with hot water in the morning, prevents pimples and blackheads. One of the well likedhome remedies for acne.

Cucumber:

Grated cucumber applied over the face, eyes, and neck for fifteen to twenty minutes has been found useful. It is the most excellent boost for the skin of the face. Its usual use prevents pimples and blackheads.

More Home Remedies for Acne

• Apply lemon juice and rose water in equal amount with a cotton ball and leave for half an hour and wash. Repeat this remedy for 20-25 days.

• Mix 3-4 drops of lemon juice in 1 tablespoon of sour cream, 1 tablespoon of yogurt and 1 tablespoon of grind oatmeal. Apply on face, leave the paste for 10-15 minutes and wash.

• A good home remedy is the egg yolk mask which removes the excessive oils from your skin. Apply the egg yolk with a cotton ball to oily spots and leave this on your face for 15 minutes to 20 minutes and wash with cold water.

• Mix 1 tablespoon groundnut oil with 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice and apply this on acne to prevent acne.

• Take small amount of ground almonds and honey and make a fine paste. Gently massage this paste on your face with a hot washcloth and then rinse with cold water.

• Make a fine paste from sandalwood and black gram. Apply rose water on the face before applying paste. Now apply paste over the whole face and leave it overnight. Clean your face clean with cool water in the morning. Sandalwood has a cooling effect and it does a great job of reducing skin inflammation and irritation because it.

• Mix 1/2 cup mashed apple, 1/2 cup cooked oatmeal, 1 slightly beaten egg white and 1 tablespoon lemon juice into a fine paste and apply to your face for at least 15 minutes to 20 minutes and rinse with cold water.

• Mix honey and cinnamon powder into a fine paste. Apply on the acne pimples before sleeping and wash it next morning with warm water. Repeat for 2-3 weeks, pimples will disappear forever.

• Make a fine paste of turmeric powder with neem leaves. Apply on acne. Wash it off after 25-30 minutes with lukewarm water.

Recommended Diet for Acne

Fruit Acne diet

To start with, the patient is supposed to take only an 'all-fruit' diet for a week, taking three meals a day, of fresh ripe fruits, such as apples, pears, grapes, grapefruit, pineapples, and peaches. Merely unsweetened lemon or plain water, either hot or cold, ought to be drunk and not anything else.

In proportion Acne diet

Following the one-week, all-fruit diet, the patient can increasingly adopt a well-balanced diet with stress on raw foods, in particular fresh fruit and vegetables, sprouted seeds, raw nuts, and wholegrain cereals, mainly millet and brown rice. Additional short periods of the 'all-fruit' diet meant for three days or so might be essential at a monthly period till the skin's state improves.

Keep away from tough tea/coffee, soft drinks and processed foods

Meats, sugar, strong tea or coffee, condiments, pickles, soft drinks, candies, ice cream, developed and processed foods be supposed to be avoided as far as possible

Acne on Scalp

Scalp acne is treated in the same manner as the acne on face.

1. Try any of the remedies given above.
2. Dip a cotton ball in a skin cleanser containing salicylic acid and apply on the acne area.
3. Do not use any acne cream/oil containing benzoil peroxide or other peroxide ingredients on the scalp because it may change the color of your hair.
4. Mix 4 parts tea tree oil to 1 part lavender oil in olive oil or any other oil and apply to the scalp as a shampoo. This works as a wonder if your scalp problem is due to any infection.
5. Boil a cup of neem leaves in water. Wash your head with this water when it is warm.

Home Remedies for Acne, Pimples

Please check if you have any allergies or sensitivity with some ingredients; such as glycerin, lemons, orange, garlic, papaya, eggs, etc. The following acne treatment and cures are good for all body acne including scalp acne. After you have successfully treated your acne, you will need to treat your acne scars, if any.

Acne usually begins with blackheads. Blackheads are formed when oil and dead cells get trapped in a pore. They then turn black when exposed to air. When blackheads become inflamed, they become red (pimples). They multiply when touched with dirty hands. So to get rid of acne, you should also try blackhead remedies.

1. Zinc, Vitamin A, B & E, echinacea, thyme and tea tree oil can cure acne.Vitamin B complex can improve your acne dramatically. Take vitamin B tablet containing all the B viramins, you should see results in a few weeks.
2. Carbohydrate foods with low glycemic index or a low GI diet can improve acne by 50 percent.
3. Grind nutmeg (jaiphal) with unboiled milk and apply on acne for 1-2 hours. This works as a magic. Pimples should disappear without leaving a mark.
4. Make a paste by mixing honey and cinnamon powder. Apply this paste on the pimples before sleeping and wash it next morning with warm water. Repeat for two weeks, pimples will disappear forever.
5. Rub fresh garlic on and around pimples. Pimples will disappear without a mark with regular applications.
6. Mix 1 tablespoon groundnut oil with 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice to prevent formation of blackheads and acne.
7. Ground drumstick pods and leaves and mix with fresh lime juice, and apply on pimples. This is also good for blackheads and dark spots.
8. Apply juice of raw papaya (including the skin and seed) on swelling pimples or acne.
9. Use fresh lime juice mixed to a glass of boiled milk as a face wash for pimples, blackheads, and cracked skin.
10. Mix lime juice and rose water in equal portions. Apply on affected area. Wash it off after 20-30 minutes with lukewarm water.
11. Apply ripe tomato or cucumber pulp on acne pimples and keep upto 1 hour, then wash.
12. Apply a mixture of 1 teaspoon lemon juice and 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder. Note that this remedy is not for sensitive skin.
13. Make a paste of roasted & powdered pomgranate skin with fresh lime juice and apply over boils,acne, pimple, blackheads and whiteheads.
14. Apply grated potatoes as poultice to treat skin blemishes, wrinkles, boils, pimples, blackheads, whiteheads , etc.
15. Make a paste of sandalwood with rose water. Apply on affected area. Wash it off after 20-30 minutes with lukewarm water.
16. Make a paste of ground radish seeds with water and apply on face to remove blackheads.
17. Apply a paste of ground seasame seeds with water as poultice for inflammation of the skin due to allergies, skin rashes, and pimples - acne.
18. Apply a paste of fresh fenugreek - methi leaves over the face every night and wash with warm water in the morning for preventing pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, dryness, and wrinkles.
19. Make a paste of ground orange peel with water and apply on the affected area. Wash it off after 20-30 minutes with lukewarm water.
20. Make a paste of salt in vinegar. Rub it on the pimples. Wash it off after 20-30 minutes with lukewarm water.
21. Make a paste of turmeric powder in mint juice. Apply on affected area. Wash it off after 20-30 minutes with lukewarm water.
22. Apply fresh mint juice over face every night for pimples or acne prevention. Fresh mint juice is good for the treatment of pimples, insect stings, eczema, scabies, & other skin infections.
23. Make a paste of neem leaves with turmeric powder. Apply on affected area. Wash it off after 20-30 minutes with lukewarm water. This is a good cure of acne.
24. Drinking of wheatgrass juice may remove acne.

Lemon juice and rose water for acne

Lemon juice and rose water acne treatment

Method

• Mix equal parts lemon juice and rose water.
• Apply directly to skin. You might feel an initial sting from the lemon juice.
• Rinse after 15-30 minutes.
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Why It Works

Lemon juice is a natural astringent and mild antibacterial agent. Rose petals, from which rose water is made, also have antibacterial properties. It is a also a skin toner and helps to mitigate the rather harsh, acidic quality of straight lemon juice.

Precautions

Be careful of exposing your skin to direct sunlight if you have been using lemon juice on your face. Also, though a strong reaction is unlikely, do not continue this treatment if it irritates your skin.

Aloe Vera for Acne

There are hundreds of varieties of aloe that grow all over the world. Most have medicinal properties. However, it is aloe barbadensis that is known as aloe vera, the species with the most value as a natural remedy. Aloe arborescens, the fast growing aloe with spiraling leaves, is more common as a houseplant and wild succulent in North America and its gel has healing properties as well but it is less powerful than aloe barbadensis.

For pictures of the different species, follow these links:

• Aloe barbadensis at Wikipedia
• Aloe arborescens at Wikipedia
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Aloe vera as an acne remedy

The gel of the aloe vera plant has a cooling, soothing effect on acne sores. It is also a natural antibiotic.

Method

• Remove a whole aloe leaf from the plant. Take an outer leaf and remove it as near the trunk as possible.
• Cut a slit down the middle and allow the yellow latex to drain. The latex has other uses but is not good for irritated skin and might cause inflammation in some people.
• If you want to use the aloe immediately, use a serrated knife to remove the thick skin. This will take some practice but after a few tries you will be able to remove the skin and end up with a nice thick piece of gel. and rinse the gel under cold water.
• If you are using aloe arborescens, it is not necessary to drain the leaves. You can open the leaf and apply the gel directly.
• Cut a piece of the gel and apply it directly to the skin as needed, avoiding the eyes..
• The gel will keep for about a week if stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
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Why It Works

Aloe vera gel is good for acne for two main reasons. First, it immediately soothes the skin and is a mild anti-inflammatory. Secondly, aloe vera is a natural antibiotic - it cleans the skin and kills bacteria.

Precautions

As mentioned above, the yellow latex of aloe barbadensis, a thin layer between the leaf and the gel, is a potential skin irritant.

Nettle for Acne

Nettle is the general term for herbaceous plants of the genus Urtica. "Stinging nettle" (Urtica dioica) is the best-known variety and is regarded variously as a garden nuisance, an edible green, and an herbal remedy. Stinging nettle has been used worldwide for centuries as a natural remedy. Drying it or soaking it in hot water removes its inflammatory properties and makes it suitable for handling and ingestion.

Nettle tea as an acne remedy

• Wear gloves when handling fresh nettle plants.
• Remove leaves from stems and discard stems.
• Fill a teapot full of nettle leaves
• Pour boiling water over the leaves.
• Steep for 5 minutes.
• Add honey and/or lemon if desired and drink.
• The tea will be somewhat bitter. However, it is quite nutritious an especially high in calcium.
• Dried nettle is also available in tea bags but will not be as effective.
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Dried nettle as an acne remedy

Nettle can be purchased in pill form. The pills contain freeze dried nettle and can be taken as recommended. Be sure to drink plenty of water along with dried nettle.

Why It Works

Though fresh stalks cause skin irritation and inflammation, the leaves have anti-inflammatory properties. Consuming fluids also helps to flush the system of toxins.

Precautions

Nettle may cause stomach irritation in some people. Nettle is also a diuretic and should not be taken by nursing women.

Oatmeal for Acne

Method

• Cook a single serving of plain oatmeal as you would for eating.
• Add approximately ¼ cup honey and mix thoroughly.
• Allow to cool.
• Apply to face, avoiding the eye area.
• Leave for 10-20 minutes. Do not leave it on too long or it will become difficult to remove.
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Why It Works

The oatmeal cleanses pores by absorbing oil and exfoliating the skin. Honey eases application and serves as a skin toner.

Mint for Acne

Peppermint is preferable to spearmint as a medicinal herb because it contains menthol. But if you can't find peppermint or aren't sure which type of mint they have at the market, use whatever is available. Peppermint is easy to grow in most climates; consider growing your own supply.

Crushed mint as an herbal acne remedy.

Method:

• Take a handful of mint leaves and crush them thoroughly with a mortar and pestle.
• Rub the leaves and juice on affected skin and leave for 5-10 minutes.
• Rinse with cold water.
• Repeat as often as desired to alleviate pain and inflammation.
• 
  

Why It Works

Peppermint contains menthol which is a natural analgesic and anti-inflammatory.

Precautions

Also, though a strong reaction is unlikely, do not continue this treatment if it irritates your skin.

Acne Treatment: Causes, Symptoms and Home Remedies for Acne

Acne and pimples are the most common skin problem, which usually appear in the teenage due to hormonal imbalance in the body. Oily skin is more prone to get pimples and acne on it. When the problem is severe acne can appear on the neck, face, back, shoulders, chest and arms.At the time of puberty girls and boys get major hormonal changes in their body which increases the oily substance in the body called sebum and it clogs the skin pores, which result in acne and pimples.

In medical terms acne is known as zits and in simple terms pimples and breakouts. Excess secretion of sebum in the body causes bacteria infection, which spreads the acne on the skin. The problem becomes serious when these acne starts spreading all over the body parts. One should be careful about the hygiene of the skin, should apply medicated soap and gels on face. One who suffers from acne and pimples should not touch them directly with their hands, should wash face regularly and wipe it off with clean cotton napkin. Use no one else's napkin to wipe your face, keep the hands clean and wash face with lukewarm water. Seek medical help and apply gels prescribed by the dermatologist. If the problem is uncontrollable than you might need oral medication too.

Acnes or pimples are of many types, which need different treatments and cause lots of pain.

Acne vulgaris: it's the most common type of acne, which appears in different shapes, colors and sizes. Many times they are very deep set and big, they cause extreme pain and swelling and leave mark on the face. They clog the hair follicle and close the pore of the skin which cause in a lump and forms into an acne or pimple. It leaves a cyst or lump when it forms the pus inside it and it doesn't get cleared properly. Acne which starts with a cyst or lump usually leave scar on the skin.

One should be careful about certain things to prevent the acnes from getting worse:

• Hormones are the main cause of acne and pimples. If there is imbalance in hormones one can get acne in any age. It cannot be stopped when one enters into the age of puberty but when one gets hormonal imbalance in any other age after adolescence than seeking medical help is necessary to prevent it from getting worse.
• Certain foods are known to affect the acne prone skin as oily or fried food, junk food and saturated food. Which should be avoided wheacnen one is already troubled with oily skin.
• Using wrong cosmetics and skin care products makes the skin worse because that skin is already oily and if one applies oily creams, lotions or scrubbers on the face, skin breaks out in more pimples. One with acne prone skin should use medicated skin care products, which should be oil free.
• Stress causes emotional imbalance which many times causes hormonal imbalance that breaks the skin in acne and pimples and worsen the problem.
• Menstruation changes female hormones very strongly and women are tending to get moreacne and pimples in this period of time.
• Some people have this skin problem in their genes, which comes to them hereditary.
• Squeezing or pinching the acne or pimple makes the situation worse. That's the worst thing one can do to one's skin. This leads to give them infection and leaves scars.
• Lack of hygiene increases the trouble so one who is already facing the problem should keep washing the hands and skin. Should not touch the pimples otherwise they will spread more and use medicated soaps and gels on skin.
  

Treatments for acne: if the problem is severe one should apply medicines prescribed by the dermatologist, which are usually gels. One should be careful while using such gels as most of them is not supposed to be applying in sun and they cause some irritation and burning sensation on the skin. If you are following a friend's or someone else's advice to cure your pimples ask recommendation from a chemist or doctor. Never experiment with your skin. You can buy established over to counter medicines from a drug store to cure your skin but take advice from a doctor. Never use more than one acne treatment at a time. Follow one treatment if you get no results than you opt for another one.

Home remedies for acne and pimples: wash your face often with medicated soap with lukewarm water. Apply face pack based on clay or sandalwood powder. Both are equally good for pimple prone skin.

Boil neem leaves in water, drain the leaves and splash this water on your face as many times on your face as you can. Neem have certain antibiotics agents in it which cure acnes and pimples and makes the skin clear and blemish free.

Home Remedies for Acne and Black Heads

Acne and black heads usually appear on an oily skin or in teenage where body faces many hormonal changes, which reflect on the skin as acne and blackheads. Acnes are the most common skin problem, which affects everybody excepting few lucky people. In severe acne problem they can appear on the back, neck, shoulders and even on the arms.

The problem is always not as bad as at the time of puberty in the boys and girls. In normal course people do get one or two acne at a time though when there is a hormonal imbalance, people get acne all over their face and get dirty deep marks. Acne problem is difficult to tackle when they start spreading all over the body. Then you need to seek a medical help with a professional dermatologist.

Black heads appear on the skin when sebum gets stored in the pores of our skin and collect dirt, which makes the pores hard. People who don't do proper cleaning of the face too get ugly black heads on their skin which get deep set with time and ignorance. The tip of the pore appears black so they are called black heads. T-zone skin is more prone to get black heads as they usually appear on the nose and chin. By using some home made recipes and following a daily skin care regime one can surely prevent the problem of acne and black heads and can get a beautiful blemish free skin.

• The keyword for a healthy glowing skin is drinking plenty of water. Water detoxifies the skin and keeps acne and black heads at bay.
• Wash your face on and off with good medicated soap and lukewarm water so that no dirt and impurities are left on the skin.
• For blackheads, soak rice in the water in the night. Grind them and make a paste in the morning. Add a pinch of turmeric to it. Apply this paste on the face and scrub off when a little dries. It removes the black and white heads from the skin.
• Soak almonds in the water overnight. Peel them off in the morning and make a paste. Add honey to this paste and apply on the face. Scrub it off when dry or after 20 minutes. Itremoves the black heads and adds glow to the skin.
• Rubbing a lemon peel on the black heads too removes them and clears the skin.
• For better results take steam on the skin where you have black heads and then apply these scrubbers. It makes the pores loose so that the dirt comes up on the skin surface and it makes easy for the black head to come out of the skin.
• Soak fenugreek seeds in water for 4 hours. Make a paste of it and add a half lemon juice to it. Apply it on the face and scrub it off when dries. It helps in removing the black heads.

Home made recipes for acne-some homemade packs are really helpful in preventing the acne and reducing their marks from the skin.

• Calamine powder is one of the best things to reduce the acne and excess oil from the skin. Take two spoonful of calamine powder and make a paste of it with rose water. Apply it on all over your face and neck. It clears the skin and reduces the marks from it.
• Soak orange peel in milk for at least 5 hours. Make a thick paste of it and add some camphor powder in it. Apply it on the face and rinse off with lukewarm water when dries. It prevents from getting acne and clears the complexion.
• You can dry orange peels in sun and then can make a powder of it. Make a paste with rose water and rinse off when dries.
• Sandalwood powder is extremely good in healing acne prone skin. Make a paste of it with rose water and apply on face and neck. Wash off when dries. It also makes the complexion clear and smooth.
• Neem leaves have extremely good healing agents for acne prone skin. You can boil neem leaves in water and can use this water to splash on the skin several times a day to reduce the acne and their marks. You can add this boiled neem water to the calamine powder or sandal wood powder to make a paste.
• Soak neem leaves in hot water till the leaves become soft. Now make a paste of these leaves in the same water and apply on the acne. You can leave it even overnight on the skin. It heals the acne and the scar, which comes after acne is not that dark.
• Skin, which comes out from the neem tree stem, is very useful in healing the acne. You can rub it on a thick surface in little water where it gives a brown paste in result. This paste if applied on the acne heals it much faster than many other established acne treating creams.
• Strawberry leaves if placed on the acne helps in healing the acne.

Acne treatment - Home Remedies

Definition

Acne is a skin condition that causes whiteheads, blackheads, and inflamed red lesions (papules, pustules, and cysts) to form. These growths are commonly called pimples or "zits."

Alternative Names

Acne vulgaris; Cystic acne; Pimples; Zits

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Acne occurs when tiny holes on the surface of the skin, called pores, become clogged. Each pore is an opening to a canal called a follicle, which contains a hair and an oil gland. Normally, the oil glands help keep the skin lubricated and help remove old skin cells. When glands produce too much oil, the pores can become blocked, accumulating dirt, debris, and bacteria. The blockage is called a plug or comedone.

The top of the plug may be white (whitehead) or dark (blackhead). If it ruptures, the material inside, including oil and bacteria, can spread to the surrounding area and cause an inflammatory reaction. If the inflammation is deep in your skin, the pimples may enlarge to form firm, painful cysts.

Acne commonly appears on the face and shoulders, but may also occur on the trunk, arms, legs, and buttocks.

Acne is most common in teenagers, but it can happen at any age, even as an infant. Three out of four teenagers have acne to some extent, probably caused by hormonal changes that stimulate oil production. However, people in their 30s and 40s may also have acne.

Acne tends to run in families and can be triggered by:

• Hormonal changes related to menstrual periods, pregnancy, birth control pills, or stress
• Greasy or oily cosmetic and hair products
• Certain drugs (such as steroids, testosterone, estrogen, and phenytoin)
• High levels of humidity and sweating

Despite the popular belief that chocolate, nuts, and other foods cause acne, research does not confirm this idea.

Symptoms

• Blackheads
• Crusting of skin eruptions
• Cysts
• Pustules
• Redness around the skin eruptions
• Scarring of the skin
• Whiteheads

Signs and tests

Your doctor can diagnose acne based on the appearance of the skin. Testing is usually not required.

Treatment

Take the following self-care steps to lessen the effects of acne:

• Clean your skin gently with a mild, non-drying soap (such as Dove, Neutrogena, or Basics). Remove all dirt or make-up. Wash once or twice a day, including after exercising. However, avoid excessive or repeated skin washing.
• Shampoo your hair daily, especially if it's oily. Comb or pull your hair back to keep the hair out of your face. Avoid tight headbands.
• Try not to squeeze, scratch, pick, or rub the pimples. Although it might be tempting to do this, it can lead to skin infections and scarring.
• Avoid touching your face with your hands or fingers.
• Avoid greasy cosmetics or creams. Look for water-based or "non-comedogenic" formulas. Take make-up off at night. Non-comedogenic products have been tested and proven not to clog pores and cause acne.

If these steps do not clear up the blemishes to an acceptable level, try over-the-counter acne medications. These products are applied directly to the skin. They may contain benzoyl peroxide, sulfur, resorcinol, or salicylic acid. They work by killing bacteria, drying up the oil, and causing the top layer of your skin to peel. They may cause redness or peeling of the skin.

If pimples are still a problem, a dermatologist can prescribe stronger medications and discuss other options with you.

Prescription medicines include:

• Oral antibiotics (taken by mouth) such as minocycline, doxycycline,tetracycline, erythromycin, and amoxicillin
• Topical antibiotics (applied to the skin) such as clindamycin, erythromycinm or dapsone
• Retinoic acid cream or gel (Retin-A) and isotretinoin pills (Accutane) -- pregnant women and sexually active adolescent females should NOT take Accutane, as it causes severe birth defects. Women taking Accutane must use two forms of birth control before starting the drug and enroll in the iPledge program.
• Prescription formulas of benzoyl peroxide, sulfur, resorcinol, salicylic acid
• A pill called spironolactone may help women with hormonally controlled acne.
• A laser procedure called photodynamic therapy may also be helpful.

Birth control pills can sometimes help clear up acne. (In some cases, though, they may make it worse.)

Your doctor may also suggest chemical skin peeling, removal of scars bydermabrasion, or removal, drainage, or injection of cysts.

A small amount of sun exposure may improve acne. However, excessive exposure to sunlight or ultraviolet rays is not recommended because it increases the risk of skin cancer.

Expectations (prognosis)

Acne usually subsides after adolescence, but may last into middle age. The condition generally responds well to treatment after 6 - 8 weeks, but may flare up from time to time. Scarring may occur if severe acne is not treated. Some people, especially teenagers, can become significantly depressed if acne is not treated.

Complications

Possible complications include:

• Changes in skin color
• Cysts
• Damage to self-esteem, confidence, personality, and social life
• Permanent facial scars
• Side effects of Accutane (including very dry skin and mucus membranes, high triglyceride levels, liver damage, and birth defects in an unborn baby; call your doctor right away if you become pregnant while taking this drug)
• Side effects of other medications

Calling your health care provider

Call your doctor or a dermatologist if:

• Self-care measures and over-the-counter medicine have not helped after several months
• Your acne is severe (for example, you have lots of redness around the pimples or you have cysts) or getting worse
• You develop scars as your acne clears up

Call your pediatrician if your baby has acne that does not clear up on its own within 3 months.