Acne is often incorrectly written off as a condition that only affects teenagers. And while it definitely impacts this age group more than others, the sad fact is that it affects people from all age groups. It can be a real confidence killer as well as incredibly uncomfortable and damaging to skin in the long term. As we have all seen from people we know and from TV and the internet, it can be a mild skin complaint or a real stubborn and long-term issue. Thankfully, there are ways to help deal with it.
Improving diet
This may sound like a no brainer. Whatever we eat eventually needs to make its way out of the body somehow, and this includes toxins. When we eat sugary, fatty foods, not only will we experience eventual weight gain, but our skin will suffer.
Studies have found that a low glycemic-load diet can improve acne symptoms. But avoiding the worst offenders is not enough by itself. Anyone suffering from bad skin, especially an aggressive bout of acne, needs to proactively increase their intake of skin-boosting nutrients. Vitamins C and D are excellent for skin health, and while they won't get rid of the problem by themselves, they certainly make the battle a little easier. One of the other ‘miracle cures' that people are trying is CBD and hemp oil. A few drops into food or drink will potentially see fantastic returns, although this is not available in every country due to legal reasons.
Do NOT over wash!
It is often incorrectly assumed that skin irritations like acne are down to overly greasy skin or an excessive level of dirt. However, this is not necessarily true. Dirt does block pores but doesn't cause this level of skin irritation. Washing the face too much dries it out and takes away the natural moisture and bacteria that need to do their job. Put simply, if you over wash, you're on a fast track to creating a skin problem or making an already existing one worse. Washing the affected area twice a day is enough for anyone.
Hormonal imbalance
This is perhaps one of the most persistent causes, and is evidenced by the fact that teenagers going through puberty suffer from all manner of skin conditions. However, this can go on long into adulthood, and can often occur before puberty as well if the imbalance is severe enough. Unfortunately, there's not a great deal that can be done other than bathing the skin in natural antibiotics (anything harsher will irritate the problem and potentially leave scars). And, if necessary, visiting a doctor for antibiotics or blood tests to see if anything can be done through medication.
It's important to remember that the issue can, and often does, go on for months and years. Therefore, expecting a quick fix is unrealistic, and patience is key. It may be a confidence killer and make you not want to show your face, but overdoing the treatments will not improve it. Simply allow any medications to do their work, and your skin will be less harmed when the condition clears up.
This sort of skin complaint is something that is always best combatted by getting medical attention, simply for the many reasons that could be causing it. There is no harm in using natural remedies as long as they do not inflame the skin, but a doctor is best placed to determine the cause, severity, and appropriate treatments. They may also consider putting together a treatment plan, based around a mixture of intolerance testing, medications and ‘trial and error' tests.
Although it may seem like the death knell for attractiveness or your social life, it really is not ‘the end'. Acne is something that, more often than not, will either go away over time or much more quickly with proper medical advice.
