Acne Vulgaris, commonly referred to as pimples, is an inflammatory disease of the skin. This condition is very common in puberty. As one reaches their early twenties, it either disappears or decreases. Acne begins because of the comedo, an enlarged hair follicle plugged with oil and bacteria. The comedo is invisible to the naked eye and is present beneath the surface of the skin. When it gets the right condition, it grows into an inflamed lesion. The oil produced from the skin helps bacteria to flourish within the swollen follicle.

Non-inflammatory acre are of two types – Closed comedo or white head, and Open comedo or black head. There are 4 types of inflammatory acne –

· Papule – It is the mildest form that appears on the skin as a small, firm pink bump.

· Pustule – They are small round lesions containing visible pus. They may appear red at the base and yellowish or whitish at the center.

· Nodule or Cyst – Large and painful, they are pus-filled lesions lodged deep within the skin. The nodules may persist for weeks or months with the contents hardening into a deep cyst. Both nodules and cysts often leave deep scars.

· Acne Conglobata – This severe bacterial infection develops mostly on the back, buttocks and chest.

The chief causes of acne are hormones like androgen, production of extra sebum, follicle fallout, bacteria and inflammation. For controlling acne, you can carry out the following steps –

· Avoid excessive washing of your skin. It can leave the healthy skin dry, thus irritating the acne prone areas. Over-washing may also stimulate extra oil production.

· Avoid alcohol products to tone your skin. Alcohol is a strong astringent that strips the top layer of the skin causing sebaceous glands to produce more oil.

· Do not squeeze or pick the acne with fingernails, pins or any other thing. It forces the bacteria deeper into the skin and often leaves a permanent acne scar.

· A wash is required after exercise. The heat and moisture trapped against the skin creates an ideal breeding ground for the spread of bacteria.

· Consume food rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin B-2, Vitamin B-3, Vitamin E and Zinc like eggs, nuts, liver, milk, fish and leafy green vegetables.

· Proper sleep and a life without stress and emotional anxiety can reduce acne.

· Wear little make-up while exercising. Avoid garments that are made exclusively with nylon.

Laser surgery is often used to reduce the scars left behind by acne. Treating acne with azelaic acid, salicylic acid, tropical retinoids and benzoyl peroxide is also common. A large number of people started trying herbal acne treatments over the traditional medications by using teas, oils and herbal creams.

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One of the first things that you should consider when attempting to reduce or get rid of your acne is your diet, the things that you eat and drink every day.

As the old cliché goes, you really are what you eat, and so if your diet is poor, then you cannot expect to be entirely healthy either. Your acne problem will certainly not be improved by a diet that is centered around the consumption of the wrong foodstuffs and liquids.

Here is a list of dietary considerations that may help to alleviate your acne problems in an entirely natural and healthy manner:

Drink lots of water: Water is essential for healthy, supple and young looking skin, and has long been known to be one of the most effective treatments for any kind of adverse skin condition. This is partially because of its slightly alkaline nature (pH 7.3) and also the fact that it naturally prevents dehydration which can be a cause of the sebaceous glands over-producing oil and sebum. Basically, your skin needs plenty of water to function most efficiently, and for this reason, most dermatologists and other skin care specialists recommend a minimum water intake of between six and eight glasses every day.

Cut out the wrong fats: Everyone knows that the average Western diet is far too rich in all the wrong types of fats and oils. With the prevalence of deep fried and ‘fast’ food, the average diet that the modern teenager consumes is a natural aid to any acne problems that they may suffer.

That is not to say that all fats are necessarily acne-friendly (as we will see) but those that contain trans-fatty acids such as milk and milk products, shortening and margarine certainly are. In addition, artificially hydrogenated vegetable oils (which are what are most commonly used to cook fried and fats food) should be avoided, if possible.
While eating such fats does not necessarily cause acne, there is no doubt that the fats that are contained in such food items as ice cream, cheese, bacon and milk make the skin more prone to problems.

The bottom line is that pimples and skin blemishes are at least partially caused by poor diet and improper hygiene, and consuming a diet that is rich in the wrong kind of fat and sugar is simply asking for trouble!

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A clear complexion is a sign of good health and it is associated with our idea of beauty. Clear skin is not always easy to maintain. Sometimes, we find pimples and blemishes appearing seemingly out of nowhere and this can be very aggravating, especially for those of us who follow a strict regimen of proper diet and skincare. Following are some acne tips that can increase your chances of improving your complexion.

The first among the acne tips is to maintain a healthy diet that includes a lot of fresh fruit and vegetables. I’m sure you have heard this before, but this tip is usually associated with weight loss. However, your skin is the most vulnerable of the organs in the human body when it comes to diet.

Your skin receives nutrients after the rest of the organs have had their share. It is important to make sure that you take in enough nutrients to supply your skin with the elements necessary for a healthy glow. It may be no surprise that diet is on the top of the list of acne tips because your skin suffers greatly when your diet is inadequate.

One of the common acne-causing beverages found in just about any adult diet is caffeine. Reducing your caffeine intake will increase your chances of having an acne-free face. This tip may be a source of stress for some coffee lovers but it is closely related to the next one; reducing stress. These two acne tips are significantly linked because both stress and caffeine produce cortisol. Cortisol is a hormone that wreaks havoc on the skin if the body has more of it than it can handle.

Another of the acne tips that relate to diet involves fatty acids. Your body uses fatty acids to produce linoleic acid, a valuable nutrient for your skin. Many believe that acne occurs when you have a linoleic deficiency. The association between fatty acids and clear skin is not etched in stone, but it is a good strategy to add to the acne tips, especially when you have tried everything else.

Most of the acne tips revolve around diet, but there are a few things you can do to lessen the occurrence of breakouts. Make sure that any towel that touches your face is bacteria-free. Using a new towel each time you wash your face is ideal. Also, changing your pillowcase every other night will benefit your complexion. Remember that sweatbands, hats and other things that you wear on your head can carry bacteria. Keeping these items clean is a reasonable addition to the acne tips.

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