How to Clear Your Acne in 3 Days
Acne is caused by
overactive oil glands that clog pores. You can get acne on your face,
chest, back, shoulders and even buttocks. KidsHealth.org reports that 17
million Americans have acne. If keeping your skin clean doesn’t clear
up the blemishes, you should start a regimen with special soap and
topical medication. It will take about two weeks before you see
significant results. But if you keep up your routine, even between
breakouts, new pimples should be eliminated in just two or three days.
Wash your face three times a day with a gentle cleanser like Cetaphil. Find a fragrance-free, hypoallergenic soap.
Keep
your skin moisturized. The regimen you are about to begin can cause
drying, especially to the spot where your lesions appear. Using a
cleanser with moisturizer built in, or an oil-free moisturizer, will
seal moisture into your skin and prevent drying and flaking. Products
that contain ingredients like urea, glycerin and alpha hydroxy acids
absorb water from the air and keep the skin moisturized.
Use
a spot-on, topical treatment that contains benzoyl peroxide. According
to the Mayo Clinic, benzoyl peroxide is one of the most effective acne
medications available over the counter.
Start with a product that
has 2.5 percent benzoyl peroxide and increase the dose (you can also buy
products with .5 and .10 percent) if you do not begin seeing results
after about a week. Apply benzoyl peroxide to each blemish twice a day.
Increase to three times a day for moderate to severe acne.
Use
an astringent with alcohol and acetone once a day. An astringent will
clear up oil deposits in your pores and clear dirt and bacteria.
Exfoliate
your skin only two or three times a week. Exfoliattion will help loosen
clogged pores. However, the abrasive ingredient in an exfoliater, if
used too often, can be damaging to your skin.
Continue
your regimen between breakouts. Because pimples begin beneath the
surface of the skin, the only way to stay on top of breakouts is to
continue treating your acne even if you cannot see it. Once your acne
disappears completely for about three months, you can stop your routine
and see if the acne returns.
Tip
Talk
to your doctor about getting a prescription for Retin-A, Differen, an
antibiotic or birth control pill for moderate, severe or cyclical acne.
Your doctor can determine which medications will most help your
condition.
Benzoyl peroxide will affect everyone’s skin
differently. Adjust dosage and applications until you find a combination
that works for you.
Warning
An
astringent could be irritating to sensitive skin. Discontinue use if
your skin turns red or patchy or if you feel stinging and burning.