SEEING SPOTS!

SEEING SPOTS

Some people are born with perfect, zit-free skin. Most of us, however, are not. More than 17 million people suffer from some form of acne - blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, and cysts. As a teenager, you're hardest hit--a fact that experts blame on hormones. Other than your age, causes of acne include your family's history of acne, stress, certain medicines, and some birth control pills. This is a little confusing because some birth control pills are actually used to treat mild cases of acne.

In spite of what you've probably heard, chocolate and greasy foods have nothing to do with acne. But eating a well-balanced diet and drinking lots of water may help your skin look better (and it sure can't hurt!).

How Breakouts Happen

Acne is caused by a combination of bacteria on the skin and clogged pores. Pores get clogged when the sebaceous glands produce more oil than usual. These oil-producing glands are located on your face, back, and neck. That's why acne occurs on the face, back, neck, and shoulders.

During your teenage years, hormone levels increase the production of sebum, waxy stuff that comes out through your pores to lubricate the hair and skin. When too much sebum is produced, it combines with dead skin cells to block the pores partly or all the way. Partly blocked pores are called blackheads (or open comedone). Fully blocked pores are called whiteheads (or closed comedone). By the way, blackheads are not caused by poor cleansing habits or dirt trapped in the skin.

When the sebum and other clogged materials are exposed to the air, they turn black (a process called oxidation). Bacteria can grow in the blocked pores and produce an inflammation, otherwise known as a zit. If there are pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads, but no deep cysts, it's called superficial acne or acne vulgaris. If the pimples project down into the skin, and there are cysts filled with pus, it's called deeper acne. You usually need to see a health professional for help with any type of acne because it can leave scars if not treated properly.

Caring for Acne-Prone Skin Thanks to some new products, most cases of acne can be controlled. Follow these steps if you have acne-prone skin (skin that seems to get pimples and blackheads easier than other types of skin) or any skin that could be clearer and healthier:

Face

Wash twice a day with a mild cleanser. You might see products labeled antibacterial. This means that the product works to kill bacteria, but it can also be harsh on sensitive skin.

Apply an acne medication to the entire area you're having problems with, not just the pimples. The idea is to prevent future pimples from rearing their ugly heads.

Body

Use an antibacterial wash on the affected areas. Remember that antibacterial cleansers can be harsh on sensitive skin.

Apply an acne medication containing benzoyl peroxide, sulfur, or salicylic acid to the entire affected area, not just existing blemishes.

**Be careful not to use too much of these medications because they can irritate your skin. Acne on the body is often harder to treat than acne on the face, so you may have to wait longer to see results.

HOW TO POP A PIMPLE

Generally, a hands-off policy is best when it comes to your skin. But if you absolutely must bust a blemish, follow these guidelines. A word of caution, though: Only use this method on a pimple that has a yellow, pus-filled center. Don't try to remove whiteheads; they'll go away by themselves in a few days anyway.

1. Take a warm shower or bath to soften your skin.
2. Wash your face and remove all makeup.
3. Wash your hands to prevent spreading germs and infecting the pimple.
4. Sterilize a needle by running it through a flame (a dirty needle will cause an infection and maybe a bigger pimple).
5. Gently prick the tip of the pimple with the needle.
6. Take a clean tissue or piece of toilet paper and wrap it around your index fingers.
7. Gently apply pressure to the sides of the pimple to ease out the pus. Stop when blood or clear fluid comes out.