Chronic skin conditions typically aren’t curable, but they can be managed using drugs and by paying close attention to your lifestyle. Learn more about symptoms, treatments, and ways to feel better.
Eczema : Eczema is term for a group of medical conditions that cause the skin to become inflamed or irritated.
Psoriasis: Psoriasis is a common skin disorder that produces thick red plaques covered with silvery scales.
Acne: Although acne remains largely a curse of adolescence, about 20% of all cases occur in adults.
Rosacea: Rosacea is a common disorder that mainly affects skin on the face. It causes redness on the nose, chin, cheeks, and forehead.
Blemishes or pimples often appear on your face, neck, chest, back, and shoulders, where skin has the greatest amount of oil glands. Few of us are immune to breakouts, but treatments can minimize outbreaks. For a clear complexion, view the slides ahead to see some surprising dos and don'ts.
2. Don't Overwash Your Face
Dirty skin does not lead to acne or blemishes. Frequent and vigorous washing can irritate your skin and make acne worse. So can grainy scrubs or soaps with harsh chemicals. Instead, wash acne-prone areas twice daily with a mild cleanser and warm water to minimize irritation.
3. Do Go Oil-Free When You Wash
Oil-free soaps or washes won’t clog your pores or cause blackheads, acne, and whiteheads. Choose products that are labeled "oil free," "nonacnegenic," or "noncomedogenic." Apply the soap and wash with your fingertips. Washcloths, mesh sponges, or other products may be too abrasive and can irritate the skin and cause breakouts. Some washes for acne skin contain ingredients recommended by dermatologists, specifically benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid.
4. Don't Avoid Favorite Foods
It's a myth that oily foods or chocolate directly causes pimples. Acne occurs when pores are blocked by oils, skin cells, and normal bacteria, causing inflammation. Some foods may trigger a hormonal reaction that leads to an overgrowth of skin cells or too much oil production. So if certain foods seem to cause you to break out, try to avoid them. But you don't need to shun pizza or chocolate for clear skin.
5. Don't Use Heavy Cosmetics
Avoid oil-based cosmetics. How can you tell? Follow this simple guideline: Creamy foundation or blush generally can clog pores. Mineral-based cosmetics, which are light and powdery, may be less likely to do so.
6. Do Use an Oil-Free Foundation
If you wear makeup, use an oil-free foundation. Also, no matter how tired you are, wash your makeup off before bed.
7. Don't Sunbathe or Tan
It's a myth that tanning clears up your skin. It's a fact that UV rays put you at risk for skin cancer, premature aging, and wrinkles. Don't lie in the sun or use a tanning booth. Also,
some commonly prescribed acne medications, including retinoids that go on your skin, can make you more sensitive to damage from UV rays.
8. Do Use Oil-Free Sunscreen
Wear an oil-free sunscreen or moisturizer with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher that says "broad-spectrum" on the label, which means it protects against ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. Look for products labeled "noncomedogenic," which means it won't clog your pores. Reapply every two hours.
9. Don't Use Greasy Hair Products
Products such as pomades or gels can clog your pores when your hair brushes against your face. If you have oily hair, shampoo daily. Shield your face when applying any sprays or gels to your hair.
10. Do Keep Hair Off Your Face
Pull long hair back when you sleep so it doesn't aggravate your skin. Try to keep your hair away from your face during the day as well. Remember, hair contains oils that can block pores and cause breakouts, even if you don't use hair products.
11. Don't Touch Your Face
Avoid touching or rubbing your face since this can make acne worse. Also, don't lean your face on your hands and try to keep your cell phone from touching your face. Our hands and phones may carry oils and germs that can irritate blemishes. Sweat can also make acne worse. After sweating, gently wash your skin.
12. Do Apply Cream With Applicators
Use cotton balls, cotton swabs, or clean applicators when applying creams or makeup to your skin. Don't reuse an old makeup sponge; replace it. If you use your hands, clean them first and only use your fingertips. Also, clean your skin before you put on makeup.
13. Do Use Oil-Free Moisturizer
Healthy skin is moist. Choose an oil-free moisturizer that says "noncomedogenic" on the label. This means it won't clog your pores. You may hesitate to apply moisturizer to acne-prone skin, but a good moisturizer may help calm irritated skin and keep acne at bay.
14. Don't Pop Your Pimples
Squeezing pimples or blemishes just creates more problems. Resist the temptation. It will only delay healing and make scars more likely. Squeezing pimples may also push infected material into the skin, where it can cause additional inflammation and scarring.
15. Do Use Acne Medicine as Directed
There’s no quick fix for acne. Medicines don't work overnight. Many treatments take weeks of daily use before your skin improves. Some acne may take up to six months to clear up. Afterward, basic skin care -- bathing daily and washing your face and hands with mild soap -- may not be enough. You may need to keep using acne medicine even when your skin clears. Follow your doctor’s directions.Too much medicine can irritate skin, but too little is not effective.
16. Look Into All Acne Treatments
Don't just live with acne, blackheads, and blemishes. If your current treatments don't seem to be working, see your doctor or dermatologist to discuss other treatments. There are many types of medicines to help clear your skin. Some are available with a doctor's
