Pimples Causes And Measures To Prevent

PIMPLES - A TEEN'S NIGHTMARE
So what are you wearing for the party tonight Nisha?. "Lets see... from the time this dreadful thing popped up on my face I am not that interested about attending it." says Nisha to her friend as they discuss the freshers party organised in her college. The pimple on her cheek sapped up all her teen excitement of attending the party!

What causes pimples?
Usually pimples appear on the face, neck, back, chest or shoulders. Since our face is the part of the body which is exposed maximum to the external environment, it becomes more prone to development of pimples. Our skin has tiny pores which are linked to the oil glands situated just below the skin through follicles. These oil glands carry the dead skin cells via follicles to the skin surface. When the skin pores get clogged due to accumulation of oil, a normally harmless bacteria (Propionibacterium acnes) starts growing under the skin resulting in development of pimple. These can be manifested in the form of whiteheads, blackheads, papules and cysts.

Other causes contributing to the formation of pimples include:
Increase in the levels of Androgen: It is a hormone which normally increases during puberty in both the genders.
Hereditary: If you have a family history of having recurrent outbreaks of pimples, then even you stand a chance of suffering from one of these.
Medications: Use of certain medications like prednisone (an immunosuppressant) and certain synthetic androgen medications cause pimples.
Cosmetics: Use of cosmetics rich in oil content can clog the pores causing pimples to develop.
Diet: Consumption of junk foods rich in fats and sugar promotes development of skin problems, primarily pimples.
Allergies: Use of certain skin products, which, do not suit your skin type may lead to development of an allergic reaction which can manifest in the form of pimples.

What aggravates Pimples?
Menstrual Cycle: Chances of developing pimples or aggravation of the condition is maximum during the premenstrual phase due to complex interplay of different sex hormones.

Stress: Taking too much stress and continuous anxiety can also aggravate pimples. This is mainly because of change in hormones like cortisol which elevates during times of stress.

Climatic Conditions: If you are prone to getting pimples frequently, humid climate which make one sweat also contributes in aggravating this condition.

Measures to prevent out break of pimples
1. Wash your Face
2. Wash your face atleast twice in a day.
3. Use mild soaps and cleansers to avoid drying out the natural oil from the face.
4. Care should to be taken to prevent harsh scrubbing on the face as the skin there is much more tender as compared to other parts of the body.

Diet Your diet and the food you eat has lot to do for the health of your skin. Ensure to have less amount of oily foods and drink lots of water; it is said that atleast 8 - 10 glasses of water per day is essential to keep your skin clean and blemish free. Include lots of fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet.

Clothing Excessive sweating contributes in aggravating the pimples and hence, it is necessary to wear clothing that is clean and loose specially if you have pimples on your back, shoulders, etc. If you use scarves, see to it that they are made of a material which allows your face skin to breath, preferably cotton.

Makeup and other accessories Use of heavy makeup for longer duration of time can block the pores on the face. Wash off all the makeup before going to sleep, as keeping it on can simply contribute to worsening any existing pimples on your face. Use makeup that suits your skin type. If you have an oily skin use powder base makeup which will aid in absorbing excess oil from face throughout the day.

Hand Hygiene Unknowingly we tend to touch our face many times during the day. Hence, it is important to keep your hands clean and hygienic as these are the major transporters of bacteria which cause pimples.

Do not burst the pimple Many of us have the habit of simply touching or trying to burst open the pimple. Never do that! It will simply push the infection further inside your skin and worsen it. It also leads to development of a scar

Pimples can cause distress, especially if you have them on your face. It does contribute in lowering your self esteem. But you have to remember that it is a reaction of your body to improper or insufficient care. Treat your body like a temple, keep it clean and the result will be blemish free skin.