2011-11-15 
Contrary to popular belief, it isn't just teenagers who get spots. Most girls will get spots when they are 17 or 18 and most boys when they are 19 or 20, but it is perfectly normal for blackheads and whiteheads to continue to form after these ages. Once we understand what is happening to your skin that is causing spots to form, it is easier to see why natural acne face care products are the best treatment. Our skin is covered in an oily substance called %u201Csebum%u201D. Sebum acts as the body%u2019s natural moisturiser, ensuring our skin does not become dry, cracked and painful. During puberty, high levels of hormones are released into our bodies. Amongst these is testosterone, a male-type sex hormone that is found in both men and women. Testosterone causes the sebaceous glands that produce sebum to enlarge and overproduce the substance. This excess sebum mixes with dead skin cells and congeals in the pores of our skin. This is what is commonly called a %u201Cblackhead%u201D and doesn%u2019t mean one is unclean; the dark colour of the blackhead is caused by skin pigment, not dirt. If one has a blackhead, careful squeezing of the area can remove the sebum plug and allow the pore to drain before infection sets in. One must, however, be careful not to damage or irritate the surrounding skin as this can result in permanent scarring and/or further over production of sebum. The same hormonal changes can also cause our skin to swell up and thus constrict the opening of the pores. Bacteria that normally exists safely on the surface of our skin thrive in these airless pockets. The body%u2019s normal reaction to infection - to flood the affected area with defensive white blood cells - is the cause of so-called %u201Cwhiteheads%u201D. With whiteheads, the best advice is simply to let them be. Your body will deal with them without causing irritation or scarring... Of course, it%u2019s not always that simple is it? A tiny little white bump we can deal with, but many find it embarrassing to walk around with a huge great whitehead in the middle of their forehead. If you really can%u2019t leave it, then make sure the whitehead is fully formed before attempting to do so (i.e. when the skin is white, soft and supple). Use a sterilised needle to create a small hole in the spot and then gently push in and down. This should minimise scarring and irritation. Many of us will have heard the old advice that scrubbing your face too hard can actually increase the chances of spots forming. Unlike so many old wives%u2019 tales, this one is actually true. The harshest cleaning regimes may feel like they do the most good, but they can cause major irritation of the skin. Though it can cause problems, your skin needs sebum and its natural reaction to having it removed is to produce more. Many high street acne face care products cause the same trouble. Some contain petrochemicals - which prevent the skin from breathing - and harsh cleaning products - which cause irritation and provoke a defensive reaction from your skin. Natural and organic acne face care products equalise the amount of sebum on our skin. Deep cleansing masks clear out the pores and remove dirt. Some of the treatments are multipurpose, both concealing and tackling spots. Acne is a natural part of life and nothing to be embarrassed about. If, however, you want to take some steps to try and minimise your outbreaks, make sure you use the right acne face care products. 2011-11-15 Start blogging by clicking in this area. Then simply type whatever you wish. You can also drag an object from the left hand column into this area. This will allow you to add pictures, videos, etc. to your blog posts.
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