Thursday, September 28, 2006
Acne Prevention
I discovered a fool-proof way to get rid of mild to moderate acne. After exhaustive online research and my own personal trials, I have come up with a pretty comprehensive skin care regimen that takes diet and hygiene into account.
Dietary Guidelines
-Drink lots of water.
-Get a very low in saturated fat diet. Saturated fats lead to the increase of testosterone, which is the hormone responsible for stimulating sebaceous glands, which in turn causes acne.
-Get a small amount of essential fatty acids, preferably with a handful (no more) of sunflower seeds or flax seeds each day.
-Either take a Vitamin A supplement or make sure you are getting enough A from food. Sources of vitamin A include carrots, green leafy vegetables (eg. broccoli, kale, spinach), and yellow/orange fruits (e.g. peaches,apricots, mangoes).
-Be sure you're getting enough B-6 and B-12 (take a B multivitamin).
-Avoid spikes in your blood sugar that lead to spikes in insulin levels, which lead to inflammation and worsening of acne.
Common Sense Hygiene
-Never touch your face, and frequently wash your hands with soap.
-Use only a clean cell phone, clean glasses and sunglasses, clean pillowcases and sheets, clean towels and clean makeup sponges/brushes.
Face Washing
-Wash your face with Purpose or Cetaphil gentle facial cleanser, using a hot terry cloth to make sure you have lifted all the dirt from your skin. These terry cloths also help with exfoliation.
-Splash with cold water to close pores.
-In the evening, wait thirty minutes after washing, then apply a thin layer of RetinA Micro.
-After washing in the morning, put on a nice rich layer of 2.5% benzoyl peroxide. I use one made by Neutrogena, and it works perfectly. You don't need a Maximum Strength cream, or anything stronger than this. Once the benzoyl peroxide dries, place on a thick layer of Purpose SPF 30 moisturizer to moisturize and reduce redness in your skin, and after it absorbs, apply makeup. Spot treat pimples.
-Have a supply of about 25 terry cloths (you can usually buy a packet of these for $5) to last you two full weeks. Also use the terry cloths with a salicylic acid cleanser to wash your legs and arms, back, and upper chest in the shower. Terry cloths come in handy to exfoliate rough spots like elbows and knees, too.
I realize this sounds like quite an overwhelmingly long process, but in the beginning phases of clearing out acne, strict discipline is required. Remember, each night you go to sleep without washing your face ages your skin by 10 days. I don't know where I heard this, but it certainly helps me force myself to wash even when I'm very tired. If all this doesn't work, Accutane would probably be the next step.
Alternative Strategy
-Use Astara Blue Flame Purification Mask at night. Wash off completely using a warm terry cloth, and follow with Benzaclin.
-Spot treat pimples with Benzoyl Peroxide.
-Use gentle facial cleanser in the morning before applying moisturizer with sunscreen, and makeup.
Dietary Guidelines
-Drink lots of water.
-Get a very low in saturated fat diet. Saturated fats lead to the increase of testosterone, which is the hormone responsible for stimulating sebaceous glands, which in turn causes acne.
-Get a small amount of essential fatty acids, preferably with a handful (no more) of sunflower seeds or flax seeds each day.
-Either take a Vitamin A supplement or make sure you are getting enough A from food. Sources of vitamin A include carrots, green leafy vegetables (eg. broccoli, kale, spinach), and yellow/orange fruits (e.g. peaches,apricots, mangoes).
-Be sure you're getting enough B-6 and B-12 (take a B multivitamin).
-Avoid spikes in your blood sugar that lead to spikes in insulin levels, which lead to inflammation and worsening of acne.
Common Sense Hygiene
-Never touch your face, and frequently wash your hands with soap.
-Use only a clean cell phone, clean glasses and sunglasses, clean pillowcases and sheets, clean towels and clean makeup sponges/brushes.
Face Washing
-Wash your face with Purpose or Cetaphil gentle facial cleanser, using a hot terry cloth to make sure you have lifted all the dirt from your skin. These terry cloths also help with exfoliation.
-Splash with cold water to close pores.
-In the evening, wait thirty minutes after washing, then apply a thin layer of RetinA Micro.
-After washing in the morning, put on a nice rich layer of 2.5% benzoyl peroxide. I use one made by Neutrogena, and it works perfectly. You don't need a Maximum Strength cream, or anything stronger than this. Once the benzoyl peroxide dries, place on a thick layer of Purpose SPF 30 moisturizer to moisturize and reduce redness in your skin, and after it absorbs, apply makeup. Spot treat pimples.
-Have a supply of about 25 terry cloths (you can usually buy a packet of these for $5) to last you two full weeks. Also use the terry cloths with a salicylic acid cleanser to wash your legs and arms, back, and upper chest in the shower. Terry cloths come in handy to exfoliate rough spots like elbows and knees, too.
I realize this sounds like quite an overwhelmingly long process, but in the beginning phases of clearing out acne, strict discipline is required. Remember, each night you go to sleep without washing your face ages your skin by 10 days. I don't know where I heard this, but it certainly helps me force myself to wash even when I'm very tired. If all this doesn't work, Accutane would probably be the next step.
Alternative Strategy
-Use Astara Blue Flame Purification Mask at night. Wash off completely using a warm terry cloth, and follow with Benzaclin.
-Spot treat pimples with Benzoyl Peroxide.
-Use gentle facial cleanser in the morning before applying moisturizer with sunscreen, and makeup.
