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How to Handle Your Acne Skin?

Already have acne? Follow these guidelines may help you to treat acne skin.

Gently Wash Skin
Wash your skin with a mild cleanser, once in the morning and once in the evening and after heavy exercise. Wash your face from under the jaw to the hairline. Some people with acne may try to stop outbreaks and oil production by scrubbing their skin and using strong detergent soaps and rough scrub pads. However, scrubbing will not improve acne; in fact, it can make the problem worse. You can ask your health care provider for advice on the best type of cleanser to use. It is important that you thoroughly rinse your skin after washing. Astringents are not recommended unless the skin is very oily, and then they should be used only on oily spots. Dermatologists also recommend that patients regularly shampoo their hair. Those with oily hair may want to shampoo it every day.

Shaving and Acne
(Shave with Care) Guys who shave and who have acne can test both electric and safety razors to see which is more comfortable. Guys who use a safety razor should use a sharp blade and soften their beard thoroughly with soap and water before applying shaving cream. Nicking blemishes can be avoided by shaving lightly and only when necessary.

Avoid Frequent Handling of your Skin
People who squeeze, pick or pop their zits risk developing scars or dark blotches. People should avoid rubbing and touching their skin lesions. Please don't pop pimples, you'll get scars.

Avoid a Sunburn or Tanning Too
Many of the medications used to treat acne can make a person more likely to sunburn. A sunburn that reddens the skin or suntan that darkens the skin may make blemishes less visible and make the skin feel drier. However, these benefits are only temporary, and there are known risks of excessive sun exposure, such as more rapid skin aging and a risk of developing skin cancer.

Choosing Makeup
If you are being treated for acne you may need to change some of the cosmetics you use. All cosmetics should be oil free, when in doubt read the label. It may be hard to apply foundation evenly during the first few weeks of treatment because the skin may be red or scaly, particularly with the use of topical tretinoin or benzoyl peroxide. Oily hair products may eventually spread over the forehead, causing closed comedones. Products that are labeled as noncomedogenic (do not promote the formation of closed pores) should be used; in some people, however, even these products may cause acne. So be careful with makeup.

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