What Not To Do To New Pimples

Probably the hardest thing to do when a breakout is lurking is to simply leave it alone. The unknown potential of a pimple makes the average person want to pinch and squeeze in hopes of it disappearing.  Little do people know that the more the skin is touched, the greater the chance of that pimple going from innocuous to embarrassingly obvious.

If you’re guilty of picking and pinching new pimples, read on for a few reasons to back away from those blemishes.

Acne is basically a condition that affects oil glands.  The microscopic pores on your skin connect to oil glands under the skin. Each of these glands connects through the pores by a canal called a follicle. When the follicle of a skin gland clogs up, oil backs up and a pimple appears.  According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, an estimated 80 percent of all people between the ages of 11 and 30 have acne outbreaks at some point. However, it’s not unusual for people in their forties and fifties to experience acne when hormones start to shift. Even babies can get acne!

A clogged pore gives you a pimple. Sometimes bacteria can be a culprit too. Bacteria can cause inflammation inside a clogged pore and if the inflammation goes deep into the skin, an acne cyst or nodule appears.  Clogged pores are typically the result of: hormones, heredity, medicine, greasy make-up, over stimulation of skin and sweat.

If you’re on the verge of a breakout, here are some simple steps you can take that will prevent a potential pimple from getting worse.

• No squeezing or touching the affected area. This simply irritates the skin and makes it worse.
• Keep your skin clean and dry, but don’t over scrub. Over cleaning can actually stimulate the skin to produce more oil.
• Use your hands to apply a non-abrasive cleanser as a washcloth of exfoliating pad irritates the skin.
• Avoid oily cosmetics in an effort to cover the area. The oil in the product clogs the pores.
• Avoid excess tanning. You may think that sun can dry the excess oil in your skin, but too much sun can worsen acne.
• If you’re involved in sports where you sweat, be sure to shower off as soon as you can. Again, sweat clogs the pores and instigates more acne.
• Regular washing and rinsing will go a long way in giving you healthy looking skin!
• There are a number of anti-acne treatments like microdermabrasion, peels and facials that can help you, including professional treatments from Thrive Medical Spa.

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Today’s guest blogger, Nicki is the health and fitness columnist for Chicago Suburban Newspapers, Tribune Company/Naperville Magazine and contributor to numerous magazines and websites including, MSNBC.com, Forbes.com and FitnessMagazine.com, Real Simple, Prevention, Women’s Health and Women’s’ Running, Men’s Health and Fitness.  For more information about Nicki visit,  www.nickianderson.com.

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