Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Develop a skin care routine
• Method 2 of 3: Make lifestyle changes
• Method 3 of 3: See a dermatologist
• Tips
• Warnings

Acne is a skin condition that usually occurs on the face, but also on your back, chest and neck, and occasionally on your arms and ears. It's caused by clogged pores in your skin. When bacteria get on your acne, you can be reinfected with it. This often happens when you touch or pick your pimples. Find out how you can keep your skin free of bacteria, help your skin heal better, and stay acne-free.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Develop a skin care routine

1. Keep your hands away from your face. You can have grease, dirt and bacteria on your hands that clog your pores and create the perfect environment for bacteria to grow in.
   • Even after you wash your hands, there is still grease on your skin.
   • Don't pick or squeeze your pimples. This will cause the area in question to become infected and you can get scars.
2. Wash your face with a cleanser. Do this twice a day. If you often get acne near your hairline, shampoo your hair every day. For example, the sebaceous glands on your face will produce less sebum (sebum). However, you shouldn't use harsh products or wash your skin vigorously, as this will stimulate your sebaceous glands to produce more sebum and grow new skin cells. Both things clog your pores.
3. Do not use facial scrubs. Facial scrubs, astringents, and some exfoliating masks can also irritate your skin and make acne worse. People without severe acne or with skin that is not sensitive can exfoliate their face once or twice a week.
4. Use products that are non-comedogenic. Stop using greasy and oily creams, lotions, makeup, hair products, acne concealers, and sunscreens. Look for products stating that they are "non-comedogenic". That means they are less likely to clog your pores and cause acne. You can also look for fat-free products.
5. Use salicylic acid. Over-the-counter remedies with salicylic acid help to unclog your clogged pores and hair follicles. Salicylic acid has no effect on the bacteria on your skin or sebum production. Cleansers with salicylic acid are a good choice for acne sufferers.
   • Follow the directions on the product packaging. It is best not to use too much salicylic acid as it can irritate your skin.
6. Use benzoyl peroxide. This chemical helps reduce the amount of bacteria on your skin when you apply it. Many over-the-counter acne products contain benzoyl peroxide. It will then be stated on the packaging as an active substance.
   • Benzoyl peroxide may contain bleach or stain some garments. Do not wear a hair band or apply it to areas covered with clothing. If necessary, you can test the product on a small spot on your clothing.

Method 2 of 3: Make lifestyle changes

1. Use clean linens. Regularly change your pillowcase and your sheets, as well as the towels you use on your body and face. This applies to anything that is often close to your body and can contain bacteria. If your linen starts to smell, discolor, or change texture, you should definitely wash it.
   • Wash your linens with hot water and a disinfectant detergent.
   • If your linens cannot be washed with water, take them to dry cleaners for dry cleaning.
2. Only wear clean clothes. Fat from your skin will get on your clothes and get into it. Wearing clean clothes can help fight acne, especially if you have acne on other parts of your body.
   • Change clothes after you sweat.
   • In particular, put on clean underwear, a clean bra, and other clean items of clothing that cover the area in question.
3. Sit in the sun for a while. For people with fair skin, sitting in the sun for 10 to 20 minutes a day without using sunscreen can help. This ensures that the affected areas are less likely to become infected and the amount of bacteria is reduced. Dark skinned people should sit in the sun for 20 to 30 minutes. Be careful not to overexpose your skin to the sun. If you get red skin or you burn, your skin will become even more irritated and you can get more acne. Moreover, you run a greater risk of skin cancer and skin aging.
   • If you have very fair or sensitive skin, apply sunscreen and skip this step.
   • Anyone who has been in the sun for more than 10 to 30 minutes or is very sensitive to sunlight should use sunscreen.
   • Exposing your skin to the sun will help your body produce more vitamin D naturally. This affects your sebaceous glands.
   • The sun also exposes your skin to UV rays and red light, which your doctor also uses to treat acne. This light is thought to cause your sebaceous glands to produce less sebum and to kill the bacteria on your skin.
4. Consider maca root powder. Research shows that maca root powder works effectively to balance hormone levels in premenopausal and menopausal women to reduce their symptoms. Balancing your normal hormone levels can help reduce acne breakouts.
   • Maca root powder comes from the maca, a plant that has been cultivated in central Peru for more than 3000 years. This plant has been used in Peru for several centuries and is also gaining popularity worldwide as a means to balance hormone levels.
   • You may not have easy access to maca root powder. However, this is not a mandatory means to use.
   • Talk to your doctor before using maca root powder.
5. Control your stress. Stress is something we all suffer from and it is healthy in small amounts. However, if you're under a lot of stress, it means your adrenal glands are producing too much cortisol, a hormone that can cause your sebaceous glands to produce more sebum. Your skin will then become oily and you will suffer more from acne.
   • There are many techniques for controlling and dealing with your stress. Learning to cope with stress and reducing the amount of stress can help you stay calm and relaxed.
   • Some people feel like their skin is on a downward spiral. They are stressed, so they get acne. The acne makes them feel even more stressed and their acne gets worse, and so on.
   • Talk to your doctor or a therapist if it is difficult for you to deal with stress.
6. Consider prescription retinoids. Retinoids are a form of vitamin A that reduce the hypertrophy of your sebaceous glands. You can buy over-the-counter acne and skin aging products that contain low doses of retinoids. These over-the-counter products work well for many people and do not require stronger, prescription drugs.
   • Retinoids are not for everyone. If you are not sure whether this medicine is right for you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
   • You can also get prescription retinoids. Over-the-counter remedies contain lower doses of retinoids.
   • Do not use retinoids if you are pregnant or trying to conceive.
7. Take vitamin D. Vitamin D is another agent that helps to reduce the production of sebaceous glands in your sebaceous glands. You have to sit in the sun for 10 to 20 minutes daily for your body to produce vitamin D. However, this method is only effective in sunny weather. You may also want to consider taking a daily dietary supplement containing vitamin D3.
   • Most people are deficient in vitamin D because they are not often exposed to the sun and because this vitamin is naturally found in not many foods.
   • If you choose a dietary supplement, know that 4000 IU is safe for adults, 3000 IU is safe for children between the ages of 4 and 8, and 2500 IU is safe for children between the ages of 1 and 3.

Method 3 of 3: See a dermatologist

1. Consider prescription retinoids. Retinoids are a form of vitamin A that reduce the hypertrophy of your sebaceous glands. You can buy over-the-counter acne products that contain lower doses of retinoids than prescription medications.
   • However, these over-the-counter products work well for many people, and they don't require stronger, prescription drugs.
   • Ask your doctor if you should use a prescription or over-the-counter medication.
2. Consider taking birth control pills. Women with severe acne have the option of taking birth control pills to control their hormone levels. This has the advantage that other secondary effects of the hormones, such as irritability and weight gain due to water retention, are also reduced.
   • You need a prescription for a birth control pill that can affect your hormones.
   • Do not use the contraceptive pill if you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant.
3. Ask for Roaccutane. Accutane is a drug intended for the treatment of severe acne. You need a prescription for it. If your sebaceous glands are excessively productive or you have severe acne, ask your doctor if Roaccutane is the right remedy for you.
   • Your blood will need to be tested monthly while you are on this medicine. You can still have several side effects for up to a few months after you stop taking it.
   • Do not use Roaccutane unless you fully understand the risks of this drug. Roaccutane can have a long-lasting effect on your health and well-being.
   • You cannot use Roaccutane if you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant.
4. Ask about phototherapy. You can perform this light treatment yourself at home by purchasing a special device, or you can ask your dermatologist for this treatment.
   • This simple and easy to perform treatment has been shown to work well, according to studies. Theoretically, exposure to sunlight is also phototherapy. However, if it is cloudy and the sun does not shine for enough hours, or you cannot go outside when the sun is shining, you can buy a special device for your light treatment.
   • Use the appliance according to the instructions and the safety warnings on the appliance itself.
   • Possible side effects of treatment with such a device are redness of the skin, flaky skin or skin that discolours.
   • Your doctor can also treat you with photodynamic therapy in his treatment room. In addition, a medicine is applied to your skin, which is then activated by a special lamp. This is more effective than just a light treatment.
5. Talk to your doctor about antibiotics. Oral and topical antibiotics can be used to treat acne, especially if you are prone to new acne. Topical antibiotics can be used long-term, usually in conjunction with benzoyl peroxide or retinoids. Oral antibiotics are usually used in the short term to control severe acne.
   • Antibiotics are especially good for inflammatory acne, where you also have a lot of red bumps, pimples or cysts.

Tips

• Contrary to popular belief, things like chocolate, greasy food, sex, and masturbation don't get you acne.
• If you're on medication, ask your doctor if your acne is a side effect.
• If you've eaten greasy food and then touched your face with your hands without washing your hands first, you may think that the greasy food you ate is causing your acne.

Warnings

• Do not use Roaccutane unless you fully understand the risks of this drug. Roaccutane can have a long-lasting effect on your health and well-being.
• If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, talk to your doctor before using acne products. This also applies to over-the-counter and prescription medications.