Ways to help prevent acne

Acne is caused by factors including hormonal changes, certain medications, and the use of certain products.

Acne is a term that’s used to describe whiteheads, blackheads, and pimples. (You may well recognize slang terms like spots, or zits). Most teenagers get the type of acne called acne vulgaris, which can show up on the face, neck, shoulders, back, and chest. Skin pores contain oil glands which naturally lubricate your skin and hair. But sometimes if a pore gets clogged beneath the skin with excess oil and bacteria, the dreaded acne is caused...

Whiteheads happen when a pore gets clogged, closes, and then bulges out. If a pore gets clogged but stays open, the top may darken and you've got a blackhead. A pimple happens when dead skin and bacteria work their way under live skin. This leads to a small infection that makes your skin look red. Get glowing!

Although everyone is different, acne is usually caused by the build up of oil and dead skin in a pore.
This build up of oil and dead skin is caused because of:

• Natural hormones. These are particularly active in your teens.
• Plugged skin. Lots of skin cells can close the oil glands or pores, creating blackheads or whiteheads, (as mentioned earlier).
• Bacteria. Bacteria can easily infect oil glands and pores and grow very quickly.
• Family background. If you have acne, your kids are more likely to have it too.

Here are skin-care suggestions to help reduce acne, courtesy of the U.S. National Library of Medicine:

• Wash your face once or twice a day with a gentle, mild soap or cleanser that won't dry the skin. Always wash your face after sweating or exercising, but don't wash excessively or more than a few times a day.
• Wash your hair with shampoo each day, particularly if you have oily hair
• Keep oily hair pulled back and away from your face
• Don't touch your face with your hands or fingers.
• Don't pick at, scratch or pop any blemishes, as this can cause infection and scarring.
  Avoid any makeup or face creams that are greasy or oily.

Source: www.medical-health-care-information.com