How To Get Rid Of Pimples

by Jeff Wise

While acne is the curse of youth everywhere, it is by no means restricted to the young. I can recall several business conferences where I worried about a client being distracted from my presentation by the pimple on my nose.

Pimples are caused by a microbial infection of an ordinary, or in the case of severe acne, an accelerated oil secretion. Acne is the clinical name of the process that occurs when your oil glands gets clogged up.

Oil glands and the secretions they produce are essential for your skin. You need them to keep your skin smooth and protect it from bacteria and dryness. On occasion, however, your oil glands can produce more secretion than your oil ducks can handle.

When this occurs, the excess oil collects beneath the skin causing a pimple. Eventually the oil mixes with dead skin cells to form a hard plug. While the plug remains beneath the surface of the skin it's known as the Whitehead. When it enlarges and pushes out its known as a black head.

Acne is an equal opportunity offender. It is not restricted by age or gender. But as a general rule girls start noticing pimples at age 11 and boys at about 13.

While Acne is hereditary to some degree there are many external factors that can contribute. Stress is one. A woman's menstrual cycle is another. Known triggers include anxiety, oily makeup, and even certain drugs. While it is not been scientifically proven it is generally excepted that certain foods, including and especially chocolate, will exacerbate this condition. If you notice that certain foods bring on your pimples, quit eating them!

To get rid of pimples, wash your face with soap and water several times a day, avoid perfume and harsh detergent soaps. While deodorant soaps strip your face of oils and does help to prevent some pimples, it can be hard and damaging to your skin.

Rubbing your skin hard may only serve to spread the problem so while it is important to wash often, wash gently.

For women who use makeup, used water-based makeup, particularly at those times when you are most effected, around one week before your menstrual cycle.

Do not pick your pimples; it will only leave red wounds or even scars. Avoid foods which trigger outbreaks like chocolate caffeine and drink lots of water to keep your system flushed.

Sunshine is thought to reduce pimples however the harmful effects of UV rays could do far greater damage your skin than pimples can. Plus the heat can increase the amount of oil that your skin produces and thus exacerbating the condition, however many people find their condition worsening in the cold as well.

Stress is a major contributor to acne. If you figure out a way to avoid it completely write a book and become rich, meanwhile, as best you can, avoid stressful situations and keep things in the proper perspective.

Although most pimples should not be squeezed, those with the yellow heads should be gently squeeze to remove the puss and begin the healing. Blackheads may also be aided by squeezing and removing thus unblocking the pore.

As I've already mentioned do not scrub your face, the friction can start up new blemishes. Gently wash your face with your hands. do not use a washcloth a washcloth.

So what are some of the best ways to fight acne?

• Increase your vitamin C intake by eating raw fruits and vegetables

• Decrease your sugar consumption

• Decrease your fat consumption

• Decrease your chocolate and caffeine consumption

• Avoid greasy hair gels

Some interesting natural remedies suggested by readers over the years include:

• A 5% solution of tea tree oil

• Applying a fresh garlic cloves to the pimple

• Applying a Bruised cabbage leaf to the pimple

• Applying a paste made of one quarter cup of witch hazel and a pinch of alum which you will allow to dry up the pimple.

Benzyl peroxide found in many over the counter acne products can be an effective first line of defense and Calamine lotion, applied to the pimple, has also proven to be effective in absorbing some excess skin oils.

I have, however, a personal confession to make: When my own daughter began to develop acne, I did not use a home remedy. Instead I went to the pharmacy and purchased the standard commerical over-the-counter product. I found it only moderately effective and grew concerned that the continuous drying might have a damaging effect on her skin over time.

I don't know for certain if that would have been the case. I didn't take the chance. Instead I called a family member whose son had suffered from stuborn acne during his teen years and asked what he had used. His answer: ProActiv - that's right the stuff pushed by celebrities on late night commercials.

I was dubious. I do not trust TV commercials, but I knew he had had complete success and my daughter needed help. I ordered the super delux system (later changed it to the standard package) and six weeks later, my daughter's skin in almost completely pimple free.

The Proactive system is a bit costly and dramatic results may not appear for six to eight weeks, but there was a noticable improvement, for my own daughter, almost immediately and now, as we come into the home stretch, we are delighted with the results.

While the author is neither a scientist or physician he has spent the last 30 years researching and discovering simple, easy and natural home remedies and is happy to present them to you. For more information on my choice for treating acne and winning the war on pimples, visit Acne.Simple-Remedies.com

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