| 1. |
DO NOT pick at your skin, this will only irritate it and make it look worse. Picking can leave reddish purple spots called "post inflammatory hyperpigmentation" that can linger for months. |
| 2. |
Avoid harsh or abrasive cleansers and astringents as they may also irritate and worsen the condition. |
| 3. |
Wear sun protection daily, look for those containing titanium dioxide and/or zinc oxide. |
| 4. |
Use only fragrance free laundry detergent and skip fabric softeners all together. These can leave a film on your linens and clothes that can be irritating to acne prone skin including back & chest acne. |
| 5. |
Girls...NEVER sleep with your make up on, always cleanse and treat your skin with your prescribed skin care products both morning and night. Do not over cleanse or scrub skin as this can be too irritating. |
6. |
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| 7. |
Try applying ice packs wrapped in thin cloth to inflammed acne lesions to reduce redness and swelling. Apply for 1-2 minutes at a time a few times a day. Do not over ice or freeze your skin. |
| 8. |
Keep regular skin care appointments with your physician or esthetician and follow your home care program daily. Remember that there is no cure for acne, however, with proper skin care treatments and products you can lessen the severity and frequency...so be patient. |
| 9. |
Girls...Wash make up application brushes & sponges monthly with a gentle shampoo to keep them from oil and bacteria build up. Don't forget to wash your powder compact sponge often...as this one is used most often. |
| 10. |
Clean your phone surface with alcohol weekly if you spend a lot of time using it. |
| 11. |
If you have long hair, pull it back with a soft headband while sleeping to keep hair oils and products off your face. |
| 12. |
Don't smoke! A study in the British Journal of Dermatology, July 2001 concluded that "Smoking is a clinically important contributory factor to acne prevalence and severity." |
| 13. |
Avoid foods high in iodine such as shellfish, seaweed and nuts as they have been linked to aggravating acne prone skins. |
| 14. |
Make sure you wash your face AFTER you brush your teeth to remove all residue of toothpaste from the peri-oral area. |
| 15. |
Use tepid to warm water (not hot) to cleanse skin. Water that is too hot may inflame the skin. |
| 16. |
Schedule a deep cleansing facial treatment with your esthetician to discuss your options for keeping a clear complexion and reducing acne flare ups. |
| 17. |
Reduce stress and record any hormonal changes (including usage of birth control pills, & cycle changes) so you can discuss them with your physician. |
