Blemishes come in all shapes and sizes - from relatively small blackheads and whiteheads, to the full-blown fluid-filled pimples usually referred to as acne. Sometimes they appear as single pimples, at other times, they come in groups and can be quite painful.

Most of the time, blemishes can be sent packing quickly with simple home treatments. For a few people, however, they can become painful, cyst-like lesions that show no sign of going away.

If your blemishes are causing you distress, are not responding to home treatments, or appear to be worsening, you should see your family doctor. He or she can recommend treatments or send you to a dermatologist (skin doctor).

What Causes Acne?
In general, you can forget all those stories about diet causing acne. Potato chips, greasy hamburgers and sugar-packed goodies may make you put on weight, but they have nothing whatsoever to do with the blemishes on your face.

Most experts agree that acne is caused by hormones, and/or by hereditary factors. (If your mom or dad had acne, then you are more likely to get it too.)

Hormones stimulate the production of oil within the glands that surround your hair follicles. As a result, the ducts become clogged, giving rise to a whitehead or blackhead. When a whitehead or blackhead becomes irritated and inflamed, you get a raised red pimple.

Treating Blemishes At Home
Most blemishes can be treated effectively at home. In fact, many of them can be prevented altogether through taking good care of your skin. Here are some tips:

• Keep your skin squeaky clean. Always wash off cleansers very well and blot your face dry with a towel. It is not a good idea to rub your skin hard as this may aggravate the condition.
• To reduce irritation, use water that is warm or tepid.
• Never pick at, or squeeze pimples.
• Try one of the many excellent acne formulations available from London Drugs, such as those in the Clean & Clear® line.
• Keep your hands away from your face. Germs from the hands can make a pimple worse, or cause a new one.
• If your doctor prescribes an acne medication to put on your skin, don’t combine it with other acne treatments.
• Here’s the tough one. If your doctor prescribes an acne medication containing retinoic acid, it is very important to stay out of the sun. Ultraviolet light from the sun can cause nasty burns when you have retinoic acid on your skin.
  Since sun is your skin’s worst enemy over the long-term, causing wrinkles and skin cancer, you should always use a sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 15. This applies to winter as well as summer.

Back to Top