Newswise — It's almost inevitable. Two days before your wedding or three days before graduation you break out. A pimple erupts and threatens to ruin your day. "Some people panic and think drastic measures are called for," says SLUCare dermatologist Alanna F. Bree, M.D., "but many of the zealous measures people take can make the blemishes worse. Being overly aggressive is not the way to go."
Whether you're an adolescent or an adult, the basic cause of acne remains the same: plugging of the hair follicle. Hormones are the primary trigger. Stress oftentimes is a precipitant as well. Either way, says Bree, director of pediatric dermatology in the departments of dermatology and pediatrics at Saint Louis University School of Medicine, treatment measures are the same. She offers the following recommendations:
· Leave them alone. Resist the temptation to squeeze or pick at pimples. Squeezing a pimple forces some of the bacteria deeper into the skin which can result in an inflamed or infected pimple. Squeezing also can leave scarring. "It's best to keep your bacteria-laden hands away from your skin," Bree says.
· Be gentle. Don't use astringents to clean your face. Astringents and aggressive washing tend to dry your skin. Your skin feels stripped of oil so the oil glands step up production and you wind up worse off than before. The rebound oiliness can exacerbate breakouts. Bree recommends a gentle, antibacterial, oil-free bar soap for cleansing your face. Use warm, not hot, water.
· A little dab will do you. Among the best topical treatments are the vitamin A derivatives (Retin-A and Differin, among others) that help unclog pores. "You have to be patient with topical retinoids, though," Bree cautions. "Initially, they can irritate skin and causes redness. You might look worse before you look better. It can take six to eight weeks to get the effect you want." Bree says it is best to use this medication over your entire face, not just where blemishes have erupted. To spot treat a pimple, sparing use of an over-the-counter acne product with benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid can be helpful but be careful not to over do it.
· Pick your cosmetics wisely. Look for the word "non-comedogenic" on the label. Heavier cosmetics, and even those labeled "oil-free," can contribute to clogging the pores. Bree suggests finding a concealer that can blend the redness of the pimple into your own skin color. Green shades tend to offset redness the best.
· Stay out of the sun. It's true a suntan/burn might camouflage acne temporarily but the sun will not clean the skin. You also run the risk of skin cancer and premature aging of the skin.
· Calm down. Stress can affect your skin. Place a warm compress over the pimple to reduce the redness and slow down. Take a walk or warm bath to ease tensions.
· Pull out the big guns. If you're desperate (and in a huge rush), consult a dermatologist about receiving a shot of cortisone to shrink the pimple. The injection can decrease the inflammation and help speed resolution.
Bree said optimal acne treatment takes up to three months to work, so she advises people to head off potential troubles early. "If you're acne-prone and you have a big event on the horizon, see a dermatologist sooner rather than later," Bree says. "This will improve your success and help ensure an acne-free special day."
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