Thursday, March 1, 2012

DON'T TOUCH IT!!!

Please my people if you take one piece of advice from me...please do not pop your pimples, pick your face or squeeze anything!
First, lets discuss what is really happening when you get a pimple that has a white head. Basically acne is caused by a build up of dead skin, bacteria and inflammation under the skin, a infection brews under the 7 layers of skin which will cause the skin to become tender, itch, red and inflamed. As with any source of infection that happens in our bodies white blood cells rush to the infection site to kill off the bacteria. Once this battle is won and the infection is over the white blood cells must travel up through the 7 layers of skin to the surface to be eliminated through the pore. This is why you can watch the pimple grow. I know it is tempting to pop it and watch it disappear but most likely you will wake up the next day with it back in full force and maybe even it has multiplied....the infection was broken under the skin and released into the blood stream which causes more breakouts. Not only can you spread more bacteria and prolong a breakout but picking at the skin or popping pimples can cause scarring and marking on the skin, which in some skin tones can be permeant.
Here are some easy and helpful tips for treating breakouts:
I love using a mixture of white clay, warm water and Lavender essential oil to make a spot treatment. Make sure skin is clean, apply a small amount of this mixture to the breakout, leave on for 20-30 mins(or overnight )rinse with warm water, making sure not to break the skin, dab with a drop of Tea Tree essential oil.
You can also apply Lavender essential oil on its own as a spot treatment.
Both of these above will treat the bacterial and inflammation associated with acne.
There is also a spot treatment on the market by Bkamins, they make a clear drying, odorless Benzoyl Peroxide based spot treatment in both a 5 and 10% that does wonders. You can apply up to 3 times a day without over drying or irritating the skin.
If you must pop....PLEASE do the following:
-make sure your hands are clean
-do not use anything sharp to break the skin
-wrap your fingers in tissue
-if you are squeezing and pus and liquid are coming out, gently squeeze till the liquid runs clear, this will indicate you all the infection is out.
I know not the most sexy topic but this advice will you keep you looking your sexiest!!!