I am writing this myTake because many people struggle with acne everyday and we have all had a pimple before.
This myTake will include:
What acne is, the types of acne (WARNING: Includes possibly cringe-worthy pictures), the root cause of your acne with an acne map, and the solutions/how to treat your acne.
Acne: The occurrence of inflamed or infected sebaceous glands in the skin.
What that means: It's a skin condition that occurs when hair follicles plug with oil and dead skin cells.
THE TYPES OF ACNE
Pustules/Whiteheads
A non-inflammatory type of acne without redness or swelling. It is a clogged pore under the skin, it remains under the skin as a bump.
Treatment- Using products with benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid will help.
Blackheads
Another inflammatory type of acne, very similar to whiteheads except for one thing. The top is open and exposed to air. The air oxidizes the sebum and keratin and they turn black.
Treatment- Exfoliate! Remove all of that dead skin. Use a product with salicylic acid.
Papules
Treatment- Benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid products.
Pustules
This type is like your classic zit. Hard, inflamed, and full of pus that has the white or yellow center.
Treatment- Benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid products.
Cystic
Treatment- Oral antibiotics, birth control pills may help some women, isotretinoin, and spironolactone.
Nodular
Treatment- Tea tree oil, cortisone, anti-androgens, benzoyl peroxide, and salicylic acid.
ROOT CAUSE + AN ACNE MAP:
The main root causes of acne are genetics, stress, hormones, and diet.
Mapping your acne can help you tremendously. If you have reoccurring acne in the same spots you might have an underlying reason for that acne. Keep in mind that this does not mean that there is ALWAYS an underlying reason.
FACE MAP:
FORHEAD acne- Could be hair products clogging pores, irregular sleep, digestive issues, too much sugary food, or too much worrying.
Solution- Go to bed early, exercise, drink water, and reduce sugar in the diet.
TEMPLES- Could be a diet too high in fat, too much processed foods, hair products clogging pores, or poor circulation.
Solution- Reduce unhealthy fat in your diet, eat cooling food, and eat less processed food.
BETWEEN EYEBROWS- Could be too much alcohol, too much tobacco, a weak heart, or hair products clogging pores.
Solution- More sleep, exercise, avoid smoking and alcohol, and avoid late night snacks.
NOSE- Could be a poor diet, indigestion, gastrointestinal imbalance, or poor circulation (If skin on nose peels).
Solution- Eat less meat and salt, eat warm temperature food, exercise, make sure you're getting enough vitamin B.
LEFT CHEEK- Could be overeating, a dirty cellphone, stress, or a dirty pillow.
Solution- Keep a positive mood, don't overeat, relax, and change pillow cases often.
RIGHT CHEEK- Could be allergies, too much sugar, a dirty cellphone, or a dirty pillow.
Solution- Avoid fast food, eat less sugar, and get more fresh air.
CHIN/JAW- Could be hormonal issues, gynecological issues, kidney imbalance, or resting hands on face.
Solution- Get more rest, exercise, don't eat before bed, and take omega-3 supplements.
LIPS- Could be irregular bowel movements, too much spicy or fried food, or toothpaste.
Solution- Eat more fiber, change toothpaste and chapstick, eat more fruits and veggies, and massage abdominals in a clockwise motion.
BODY MAPPING:
SCALP acne- Could be poor hygiene, constipation, picking at scalp, or not washing hair products out well.
Solution- Wash hair, eat a healthy diet, and don't pick at scalps.
NECK- Could be from wearing shirts with tight collars, hair product irritation, or too much sugar.
Solution- Eat less refined sugar, don't wear tight collared shirts, and switch out your shampoo.
BACK- Could be from sweating, high calorie food, not enough sleep, or right clothes.
Solution- Wash and change sheets often, take a bath with sea salt once a week, and eat less high-calorie food.
ARM- Could be from tigh clothes or lotions.
Solution- Shower regularly, and wear loose clothing.
CHEST- Could be from sweating, friction of clothing, poor diet, and fungal infections.
Solution- Use acne treatment on the chest, don't pick, wear loose clothing.
LEG- Could be from body washes, ingrown hairs/razor burn, or too tight clothes.
Solution- Wear loose clothing, use lotion, shave in the direction that hair is growing.
BUTT- Could be from dirty underwear, poor digestion, too many cold drinks, or sitting too long.
Solution- Use acne products on the butt, don't sit too long, and don't pick at the pimples.
CROTCH- Ingrown hairs, warts, beginning of STI's.
Solution- Exfoliate and eat fruit and veggies.
P.S. Sorry for not being able to make this easier to read!
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