Almost everyone has had a pimple. Pimples are blocked pores that become inflamed, and fill with clear, or white to yellowish exudate. The number, severity and frequency of pimples can vary between people and even for the same person at different times. There may be more than one cause and knowing the cause will help with the selection of treatment that works best for you. So where do you start?
Gentle cleansing of the face twice daily, in the morning and at bedtime is a good start. Did you know that excessive cleansing will stimulate your skin to produce more oil, push debris into pores and cause inflammation – increasing the chance of blocked pores? Scrubbing your skin pink is a sign of inflamed skin, opposite of what you want. Use a cleanser that will not strip your skin of protection. After cleansing, pat your skin dry then apply a lotion or cream that keeps moisture in the skin without blocking pores. During the day, sun protection is a must. If pimples are a regular occurrence, an acne treatment product should be used. Simplifying your skin regimen will make it easy to stick to a healthy routine. Your pharmacist can help you attain and maintain healthy skin.
We all get pimples from time to time. Acne is when pimples are regularly present. Simple acne is when the area affected is small, and pimples are few and clear up in just a few days without scarring or leaving pore depressions. Products found in a pharmacy can keep simple acne in check, reducing outbreaks to your satisfaction. You know you have the right routine and treatment when breakouts are infrequent. Remember, give your treatment or routine at least a month before dismissing its effectiveness. Noticeable improvement will take two to three months. Even simple acne treatment requires several months to reduce the cycle of acne breakouts.
There are many effective products available at your pharmacy for skin care and acne treatment. Keeping pores clear requires proper cleansing and exfoliation of skin. Our skin naturally turns over skin and excretes oil to keep pores clear. However, the balance is easy to disrupt. Choose cosmetics and creams that allow natural oils to come out unimpeded. Twice daily gentle cleansing will remove dead skin that may clog pores. Keep your hands away from your face, and never pick at a pimple.
If you still have acne with a good skin care regimen, seek professional advice. Your pharmacist is a knowledgeable source, trained to help and point you to advanced help where proper. Pore size, oil secretion and skin turnover will vary in individuals and even day to day. You can’t change the pore size of your skin, but you can minimize the sight of pores by preventing blackheads. Keeping your pores clear will prevent pores from getting larger, prevent blackheads and make your skin look visibly brighter. Finding the right product may require more than one trial, but once you find the right balance, you will look and feel great.
Seek professional advice when any of these symptoms of acne apply, your pharmacist can help you determine if you require a referral to a physician:
- Areas affected extend beyond the face
- Many pimples and/or large areas
- Pimples are deep or painful
- Scarring or pitting skin from acne
- Discolouration of skin due to acne (dark or lighter skin)
- Inflammation of skin is frequent or ongoing
You can achieve healthy looking skin, and your pharmacist is there to help.
