A_N_91

I have a few questions on acne.

After I use my medication for a few months and the acne clears up and when I stop using it, the acne comes back. What can I do to not just take it off but keep acne off? Even when it's off and I stop medication, I still wash my face 3-5 times a day so it's clean.

Another thing is, does sweets cause acne? I know it's been "proven" that sweets like choclate and fats don't cause acne but whenever I had a date (the ones you eat), pistachios, or chocalte stuff, I bust out a pimple?

Master Of Puppets

3-5 times a day seems like a lot. You gotta let SOME natural oils back into your skin. It seems when I eat crap, my skin looks like crap. idk why..

MOP

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Jayelin

You do have to avoid stripping your face of oil. This causes your skin to come back twice as hard to remoistureize your face. Generally, twice a day is considered adequate, and always after getting sweaty. You must remember that, although pores can get clogged with debris, bacteria is the primary cause of acne, so if you have bacteria on your face and get sweaty, thus opening your pores, you're just inviting it to attack your face. I suggest taking cleansing wipes (they come in tubs, made by clearasil or the like) and are generally available with or without alcohal. If your skin is sensitive, which it is likely to be, I would suggest the variety without. Overdrying is a bad thing, and sweating alcohal into your eyes isn't the greatest feeling ever.

Make sure you're using an antibacterial facial cleanser, and follow it up with at toner/astringent, then a light oil free moisturizer that contains salicilyc acid. If you skin is sensitive or painful, cut back on the washing. If you have flaky/scaly skin, make sure to moisturize, and once a week use an abrasive cleanser, something that uses the word 'scrubbers' or 'microbeads'. Any cleanser with harsh exfoliants in it should not be used more than once or twice a week. Using a clay mask once a week would also be beneficial, you simply wash your face, pat dry, then apply the mask, and wait for it to get dry and crackly. Then you rinse it off, follow with a toner and moisturizer. Using an overnight treatment (Neutrogena makes a great one) that you wash off in the morning is also quite helpful.

The big point to remember is that you might be naturally prone to acne, in which case medication is going to be the only thing to consistantly keep your skin clear. Overcleansing will cause more harm than good. I know what 'science' says, but listen to your body. I know a girl that is sensitive to caramel color used in soda, it'll always make her break out. If you see a pattern emerging, you can isolate the culprit.

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George Orwell was double plus right.

mr_min

very good read, jayelin.

working in a factory-type setting, i have been pouring out the sweat this last week and started breaking out - most on forehead which hasnt happened in a real long time. i have been using salicilyc acid every night - works fast and great on shoulders but forehead just taking a beating.