Out, Damned Spot: 9 Ways to Banish Your Blemishes
Pimples and skin eruptions never seem to pop up at a convenient time. They can be both emotionally and physically painful. Blemishes can affect the way you see yourself and cause extra stress before important events. Speaking of stress, how annoying is it that stress can make you break out too?
Often, you don’t have time to deal with several appointments to get rid of them. You might be someone who gets one pimple every now and then, or maybe you deal with chronic blemishes. If you’re currently experiencing a breakout and are looking for answers, don’t fret. There are several options you can try, from prescription to home remedies. Keep reading for ways to try to banish your blemishes.
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1. Seek Acne Treatments Online
If your acne is a constant presence, you’re probably tired of messing around with over-the-counter ointments. In that case, it might be time to look into prescription acne treatment to get relief. Luckily, there are convenient online approaches you can try.
Some sites even let you do an online consultation with a licensed health care provider. After evaluating your skin and discussing your needs, they will then prescribe any needed medications. Depending on the service, you could get your prescription shipped right to your door.
2. Utilize Daily Cleansers
Out, Damned Spot: 9 Ways to Banish Your Blemishes – Oil, dirt, and makeup can clog pores and lead to blemishes. Washing your face will remove these contaminants from your pores. Cleansing twice a day, once in the morning and once before bed, is generally recommended.
You might find that washing your face with gentle soap and warm water will do the trick. If not, you may get better results with specialized cleansers based on your skin type. Seek out formulations for oily or combination skin, depending on your needs.
3. Moisturize
It may seem counterintuitive, but breakout-prone skin needs moisturizing as much as the dry, flaky kind. When you dry out your skin with alcohol-based toners and harsh astringents, it causes your glands to produce sebum. This is the oily substance that clogs pores and causes your acne to begin with.
Moisturizing, on the other hand, hydrates your body’s largest organ and helps to keep it youthful and elastic. Just be sure to choose a non comedogenic moisturizer. Like cleansers, there are different lotions and moisturizers for varied skin types. You’ll want to choose a water-based formulation that won’t block your pores.
4. Schedule a Facial
If your daily cleanser isn’t cutting it, try a professional facial to combat blemishes and pimples. There are several different types of facials, and a skilled aesthetician can help find the right balance for you.
Microdermabrasion is one way to cleanse with a facial. It exfoliates and removes the top layer of the skin, leaving you with a smoother, dewier complexion.
5. Check Out Chemical Peels
Beyond a professional facial, you could also consult a dermatologist about performing a chemical peel. For example, a glycolic peel utilizes mild glycolic acid to treat your skin. As a bonus, this can also reduce the appearance of wrinkles and age spots.
Beware, however, if you have sensitive skin. A chemical peel might actually irritate your skin further and cause more breakouts. You should consult a health care professional to determine whether a peel is the right approach for you.
6. Try Home Remedies
If calling in the pros sounds too daunting, home remedies may be enough to clear your skin. Face masks can deep-clean and rejuvenate your face, and you can concoct some of them from common kitchen ingredients.
There are also several natural ways to treat blemishes and dry up acne. Calamine lotion, for example, can help. Just apply it to your skin and leave it to dry. It works to fight acne because the zinc in the lotion absorbs skin oils.
7. Consider Your Diet
Your skin can be a reflection of what you put in your body. This sounds like a simple fix, but look at your water consumption. Drinking enough water and staying well hydrated can do wonders for your skin.
If you find yourself breaking out after eating sugary or dairy-rich foods, take note. Keep a food journal and try to avoid the foods that seem to give your skin trouble.
8. Avoid Popping and Picking
If you do experience a breakout, resist the urge to pop or pick at your pimples. This can spread the bacteria and actually lead to more flare-ups. Popping blemishes could also lead to more severe infections.
Furthermore, popping and picking your zits can lead to scarring. These scars make what would have been a temporary blemish into a permanent mark.
9. Don’t Forget the Sunscreen
If you’re using certain acne medications, such as topical retinoid or some antibiotics, you’ll want to apply sunscreen. That’s because these types of prescriptions can cause the skin to be more photosensitive, meaning you can burn easier.
So when using prescription acne meds, make sure to be extra scrupulous with your sun protection. Doing so can both protect your skin from sunburn and reduce your risk of developing skin cancers caused by overexposure.
No matter whether you’re 15 or 65, blemishes are a nuisance. Not only can they cause embarrassment, but they can be physically painful, too. If an untimely breakout occurs, though, try not to despair. There are many remedies you can try, from over-the-counter creams to oral antibiotics. Take care of your skin well, and you can reduce those pesky blemishes.