All About Acne!

Acne is the most common disease that 85% of the people suffer from at some point in their lives. A pimple is not something that happens due to bad hygiene or anything. It simply happens and you should not feel bad about it. It is curable if you treat it right.

For starters, tell me how do you feel when you wake up all prepared to rule the world and suddenly when you have a good look at yourself on the mirror you see that nasty big boy right on your face. Frustrating right?? Don’t worry you are not alone. We all face this.

Well, first things first, let us try and understand the different types of a pimple and their symptoms:

 Whiteheads:

Also known as a closed comedo, these are pimples that remain under the skin and appear as flesh coloured bumps. They are usually small and less painful.

 Blackheads:

Also known as an open comedo, these are clearly visible as black or dark brown due to the oxidation of the melanin.

 Papules:

These are pink small, solid, round bumps that rise from within the skin.
 Pustules:

These are those red nasty pimples full of pus. They are clearly visible on the surface of the skin and tempt us to pick them.

 Nodules:

These are painful bumps that are deeply embedded in the skin.
 Cysts:

They are the most commonly seen form of pimples. They are red, big, soft and are filled with pus. They commonly cause pigmentation and acne scars.

 Acne Vulgaris:

This is the severest form of acne. It is caused by trapped hair follicles into the pores of your face. It is a combination of all kinds of pimples. This is the toughest to heal.

Causes could me many, clogged pores, bacterial infection or hormonal. Some go away by itself and others take a lot of hard work. They are even not stuck in one place just on the face, they can happen on your back, chest and arms as well.

When there are so many over the counter medications available in the market namely benzoyl peroxide, AHA’s and BHA’s and many more that are digging a hole in our pockets.

Here are some home remedies that you can try to get rid of those zits anywhere on your body. How to Get Rid of Pimples at Home:

 Tea Tree Essential Oil:

Tea Tree is the most commonly used and the most easily available essential oil for acne. It has high levels of anti-oxidants and it is an anti-microbial agent that makes it suitable for acne.

 Take 1-2 drops of tea tree oil and mix it in 1 tablespoon of olive oil or jojoba oil. Apply it over your pimples and let it stay. Do this several times a day until your acne clears up.

 Epsom Salt:

It is an exfoliating agent that cleanses the face by removing the dead skin cells and also killing the bacteria. It also balances the pH levels of the skin.

 Take 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt, ½ cup of water and mix it well. Use a cotton ball and dab it on the affected area.

 Leave it on for 5 minutes and rinse it off. First with lukewarm water then cold water. Do this 1-2 times daily.

 Apply a moisturizer after use.

 Apple Cider Vinegar:

ACV contains mild acids and antibacterial properties. Needless to say, it is a Holy Grail product for all skin issues. It reduces oil production and keeps your skin free from bacteria.

 Take 1 tablespoon ACV and 2 tablespoon water. Mix it well and apply it all over your infected area with the help of a cotton ball.

 Leave it on for 5-7 minutes. Rinse it off with cool water. Repeat this daily.

 Baking soda:

This dries out the pimples and regulates skin’s pH balance.
 Take 1 tablespoon baking soda and 2 tablespoon water to form a thick paste. Apply this paste all over your infected area.

 Leave it on for 5 minutes then rinse it off with lukewarm water.
 Do use a moisturizer because it can be drying. Do this 2 times a week.

 Garlic:

Easily available in the kitchen it has anti-bacterial properties that help fight acne.
 Mash 2-3 garlic cloves and add a little bit of water to form a coarse paste. Apply it directly to the affected area.

 Leave it on for 10 minutes then rinse with cool water.

But that is not all. Don’t get too comfortable guys. Even if you treat your pimple, then comes the horrific SCARS. They are mainly inflammatory and non-inflammatory. Whiteheads and blackheads usually fall under the non-inflammatory category. Rest are all inflammatory.

These usually occur due to excess sebum, dead cells, and pores clogged with bacteria. Let’s look into some home remedies for dark spots that are guaranteed to work.

 Vitamin E Oil:

It is an anti-oxidant and eliminates free radicals and also helps in repairing damaged cells.
 Take some vitamin E oil on your clean fingers and massage it over the affected area for 2-3 minutes.

 Leave it as it is. You can also use vitamin E capsules if you don’t have the oil. Do this every night before going to sleep.

 Aloe Vera:

It contains amino acids and is rich in vitamins A, B, C, E. These properties helps in removing pigmentation and dark spots and is also anti-aging.

 Take a fresh aloe vera and scoop out the gel(you can also use the gel available in the market).
 Apply the gel on the affected area and leave it on for 20 minutes. Rinse it off with cool water. Do this everyday for best results.

 Turmeric:

It contains a powerful anti-oxidant cucurmin, that fights free radicals. It also helps in removing dark spots.

 Take ½ teaspoon of turmeric to add 1 teaspoon of lemon juice and 2 tablespoons of milk. Mix it well into a thin paste.

 Apply it all over the affected area and let it stay for 15 minutes. Rinse it off with cool water. Do this every alternate day for best results.

 Papaya:

Papaya contains an enzyme called papain which acts as a treatment for dark spots. It exfoliates dead skin cells and brings out even skin tone.

 Take ½ papaya and blend it to make a thick paste. Apply the paste all over the affected area and leave it on for 20 minutes.

 Rinse it off with normal water. Do this 3 times a week.

Having a glass skin is a dream come true. So I hope this helped to bring you one step closer to your dream skin.