Acne Relief

Posts Tagged ‘acne-treatments’

I don’t know about you, but I am a huge fan of coffee. Not that gourmet stuff you get at places like Starbucks or some other joints that require you to take out a signature loan for a cafe latte or mocha whatever. No, just give me a simple cup of Joe, keep them coming throughout the day and I am good to go. No sugar, no creams, just a strong black beverage that has some kick to it that will get me up and keep me going. I know I picked up the habit from my dad and cherish our memories and moments we had over a morning cup of coffee.

Unfortunately, my predisposition to acne also seems to benefit from the black nectar. While I avoid other caffeinated beverages like sodas and energy drinks (I just don’t like them, too sweet, syrupy and expensive) I have no intention of giving up my coffee. So what’s a person to do?

Well, the way I see it, if caffeine is going to play havoc with your acne, you have three choices. You can resign yourself to the fact that pimples are going to be a part of your daily life and wear those bad boys with pride and determination. You can cut out the coffee (caffeine) and feel sluggish and deprived. Or you can find a remedy that will offset the negative effects and allow you to enjoy this simple pleasure in life. The choice is yours. What’s it going to be? Do you hear the Jeopardy theme song in the back ground? Can’t you see Bob Barker telling you to pick a door?

Well, when I was younger I though there were only two choices. Cut out the coffee or enjoy and live with the acne. Like I said, my dad hooked me up with my taste for coffee (I don’t know why he didn’t pass on his flawless complexion gene) and I would be dammed if I was going to miss out on those precious moments that I shared with him over a cup. It wasn’t going to happen, no way no how. Acne was just going to have to be the price I paid.

Well, one day our morning ritual changed. After we finished our cup of coffee, my father got up from the table, grabbed a lemon from the refrigerator and ran it under some hot water. He then proceeded to roll it on the counter with the palm of his hand, applying slight pressure. He got two glasses of ice and water. Then cut the lemon in half and squeezed the juice from each half in their respective glass. At the time he said something about having an upset stomach and the lemon cutting the acidity of the coffee. But looking back, I realize that it was his way of noticing the effect the caffeine was having on my acne and his attempt to help. His upset stomach was a cockamamie story.

I don’t know where he learned that lemon juice can get rid of caffeine acne. But from that day forward, my acne improved and every other day or so, our morning cup of coffee was followed by a half of a lemon squeezed over a glass of ice water. God, I miss that man.

Ever wonder what all the fuss is about benzoyl peroxide acne products? Well, just walk down any acne products isle in any drug store in any city, and you’ll see row after row of acne products. A universe unto itself of acne lotions, potions, creams and ointments, now pick up a product, it doesn’t matter which one. It can be Clear and Clean, Neutrogena Acne, PanOxyl, Benoxyl or whatever, it doesn’t matter. Ok, check out the back ingredient panel and I’ll bet you dollars to donuts that benzoyl peroxide is an active ingredient. Now if you are a real betting person. I’ll double down and wager you that the level of concentration of the benzoyl peroxide is between 2.5% and 5% but could go to maximum strength 10%, the most you can have without a prescription. I’m not trying to show off. What I am attempting to do is show you how myopic the acne products industry is. BP (benzoyl peroxide) has been in use since the 1920’s as an acne treatment and for a host of other uses from hair bleaching to teeth whiting products. It was originally used in the garment industry as a fabric bleacher.

So what makes benzoyl peroxide popular as an acne product? There are a couple of things. First, it is an excellent killer of the P acnes infection. It is this bacteria that is a leading cause of acne. While the bacteria are very common they usually don’t cause a problem. That is until sebum gets backed up in the sebaceous glands. This in turn, creates an ideal host situation for the P acnes to thrive resulting in the pain redness and swelling of pimples, zits, blackheads and cysts. Benzoyl peroxide is an excellent killer of P acnes and works by introducing oxygen into the skin pore. The bacteria are unable to survive in this environment and dead skin cells are simultaneously flushed from the pores. It’s actually a two for one process that is very effective at getting rid of acne.

However, benzoyl peroxide’s ability to kill these bacteria and act as a peeling agent is also one of the chief negative side effects of the product. You see, it can be rather harsh on your skin. Stripping the natural oils and leaving your skin dry, irritated and inflamed and on particularly sensitive skin can actually lead to chemical burning and swelling.

While I no longer have a need for benzoyl peroxide. As a teen it was a staple in my acne arsenal. When I first tried it, I found that it irritated my skin somewhat, but was informed that my body would develop a tolerance for it. The first couple of days there was some stinging and itching but sure enough, 3 day in and it was like using soap and water. I never had a problem with benzoyl peroxide again and had a good bit of success with it treating certain conditions as they arose. Benzoyl peroxide is definitely a product that shouldn’t be over looked as you looks for ways to get rid of your acne but don’t put blinders on either. While benzoyl peroxide acne products can work wonders, they aren’t the only way to get rid of acne.

I can’t tell you how many hours I’ve spent looking in the mirror squeezing blackheads out of my nose, forehead and chin. I’ll never forget the first time I noticed those horrid blackheads! Not that it was so difficult to see them; my nose looked like the checkered black and white tiled floor in the Beverly Hillbillies. They were everywhere and I was in a panic. With my curious first squeeze these little cork screw white cream tarts with a black top hat released from their cradle. Oh my gosh, what a disgusting sight! I didn’t help matters any with my initial horror and shock!

Over time I learned that blackheads were simply the product of my skin pores not draining properly the sebum oil that’s naturally produced. Before you know it a blockage can occur. The bacteria start to do its thing and viola, the pore gets completely clogged and your new best friend on the tip of your nose is a whitehead or a blackhead.

I don’t care how beautiful your eyes are, it’s not going to distract anyone from noticing anything but the pimple that’s taken up residence on your face.

Now the question becomes how do you get rid of that blackhead? You want it gone, plain and simple.

Blackhead removal: Comedome (Blackhead) Extractors – These little handy devices are a much safer method for blackhead removal than squeezing with your fingers. There are any numbers of cosmetic companies that manufacture these blackhead removers and they can be quite inexpensive, around $5.00 or so. You simply apply a little circular pressure with the extractor over the affected area and that little bit of force will push the comedome to the surface. It’s best to do this after a warm shower or maybe apply warm water compresses to help soften the skin and the affected area. After the offending blackhead has squirted to freedom, use an antiseptic to disinfect the area as well as your new found best friend the black head extractor. A little alcohol and hot water should do the trick.

Now that the blackheads have been removed and are gone, we need to take a proactive approach so they don’t return. A little preventative action to keep the blackheads away goes a long way!

If you are using oil based make-up get rid of it. These products are going to make it a lot easier to clog your pores. They are non-comedogenic (wow listen to me getting all technical and all) what that boils down to is, it will clog your skin, and that’s what you’re trying to avoid! So use water based make-up. It’s that simple.

When washing your face, put down the harsh chemical washes and abrasive pads. They’re only irritating your skin and forcing your skin to produce more problems as it attempts to combat the harsh treatment. Gentle cleanser and warm water washing using your hands should be fine to get rid of and keep those blackheads away. A little Benzoyl Peroxide should be O. K. in helping keep your breakouts at bay. As the anti-bacterial properties should do their job. Blackheads like all types of acne require different methods for their prevention and removal. These all depend on the individual. The trick is to find what works for you and what gets rid of your blackheads.

The things I don’t do for you guys. If when I was a teen, someone would have told me urine was a good way to get rid of acne and pimples. Well, let’s just say it might be time for them to up their medication. Even with the present day hyper awareness to alternative approaches and applying natural substances as they relate to medical conditions. Urine and acne just don’t seem to belong in the same sentence. Acne and chocolate I can at least understand the connection. Although it seems to be a counter intuitive connection. But urine to treat acne?

I really was not sure where to begin my search. What far away, hidden tribe in the Amazon rain forest, that had never had contact with the outside civilized world, thought urine was a good acne treatment? So like all good researchers I decided to start with a phone call to an expert on culture and customs.

Brad is my go to guy when I have a question that at first sight seems bizarre. He has an uncanny knack for explaining to me how something is not as crazy at it may first appear. He will also fill me in on the people that practice it and how long they’ve been doing so. But I have to admit. I was a bit surprised when I called, told Brad my question and he explained that urine therapy has been used to treat and prevent all kinds of illnesses and enhance beauty for a very long time.

It’s been used buy the holy men of India who have been drinking it for thousands of years. It’s rich in vitamins and minerals that are necessary for the human condition and although considered dirty, it is in fact sterile. Stop right there!

Unless my plane crashes high on a mountain top and survival is at stake. There are two things that I don’t ever consider indulging in. One is eating human flesh and the other is drinking my urine. It’s one thing to pat a little golden fluid on a couple of zits if it’s going to help get rid of them and give me a great complexion and nice glow at the same time. But I didn’t sign up to partake in the first morning midstream cocktail.

Brad told me I didn’t need to drink it straight, “There’s a benefit in mixing a couple of drops in your juice in the morning”. He went on about how people of the world think it can cure almost illness. Things like AIDS, smallpox, broken bones, constipation, fatigue, hepatitis, and the list goes on and on. I remained on the phone another hour and though I may not be an expert on all the urine treatments known to mankind. I have a pretty good idea how urine can help us in our search for the best way to get rid of acne.

So here’s where I come down on the issue. Look. if you want to splash some wee wee on a cloth and give it a shot on your zits. I really can’t see any harm. Who am I to buck thousands of years of acne and beauty research conducted by ancient civilizations . If you have followed this blog, you know I am a big believer of what may work for you may not have the slightest impact on someone else. That’s what makes us individuals. So who am I to say urine is not your magic acne cure.

But when it comes to drinking urine to get rid of my zits, I’ll take a pass. And here’s why. I don’t doubt Brad and his sincerity. That people world wide believe that drinking urine can cure and prevent all kinds of conditions. And acne may very well be one of them. Brad and others make a strong case that urine contains all types of vitamins and minerals that are beneficial and necessary for a strong properly functioning body. But this is also where their argument falls short. The way I see it. Anything that is contained in urine is something that you body already excreted. It didn’t need it or it would have used it. Simply drinking your urine is giving you body something it doesn’t need. It will just excrete it again. Seems to me that after everythig is said and done. The one thing your body needs now to get rid of pimples is a nice tall glass of water. Enjoy.

Last night a dear friend of mine called to thank me for helping her 15 year old get rid of her bacne. She had called about 3 weeks ago because her poor child was getting teased pretty well by the other kids and mom was at her wits end. For you guys that may not know, bacne is just a slang name for back acne or back zits, pimples or whatever you may want to call them. While it is really no different than any other type of body acne, it’s probably more severe and cystic in nature. This can make them especially difficult to get rid of. I know because I have firsthand experience with it.

You see, a great deal of my teen acne issues revolved around bacne. While I got a good dose of face acne I also had a good face treatment in my arsenals that actually keep my face blemishes to a minimum. But those back zits, well that was a different story.

None of the pills or potions that my dermatologist prescribed (today it’s most likely tetracycline or minocycline) and suggested offered any relief. And it was the same negative response with the topical ointments and washes (Retin-A, benzoyl peroxide etal.). So there I was left to fend for myself. It took me awhile, but sure enough after some trial and error with various acne fighting solutions I stumbled upon a bacne natural treatment that worked for me many years ago which I was more than happy to impart to my friends 15 year old and now I guess I’ll relay to you.

Because the back is difficult for most people to reach by themselves you should invest in a long handled very soft bristled brush. This brush is used to exfoliate your back once or twice a week with a sugar scrub. If you want or feel you need to get a tad more aggressive, you can do a salt scrub, but don’t go nuts. When you are not exfoliating to remove dead skin wrapping your face clothing around the brush and using castile soap or your favorite acne cleanser makes an excellent every day cleansing instrument for your back or your whole body for that matter.

Wear loose fitting cotton garments whenever possible. If you don’t believe that tight fitting clothing and sweating are a cause of bacne, talk to some football players and ask them about forehead acne from tight fitting helmets and chest and bacne from shoulder pads. I saw it first hand with my son when he played football. So lay off the spandex and other tight fitting clothing that don’t allow your skin to breath.

You guys know how I feel about pimple popping. Don’t do it. I almost didn’t bother to even bring this up because the back is that one place that’s just about impossible for someone to do any self zit popping. But with all the You Tube acne video’s that I’ve seen on the net there doesn’t seem to be any shortage of accomplices willing to have at those nasty pimples wherever they may be. Besides bacne has a nasty habit of leaving scars and while they may not be as noticeable to you like face acne scars would be. A pitted and scared back is not a pleasant sight.

Now, here’s the secret to my bacne remedy. In a spray bottle mix 2 ounces of vinegar to 6 ounces of water and approx 1/32 of an ounce of tea tree oil. And after every shower spray a light mist over your back. While I have no scientific explanation why this acne home remedy works, I can say. It worked wonders for me, my friend’s 15 year old and my own son. Everyone reported their bacne was gone in 2 weeks.