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Imagine yourself waking up one morning, and the first thing you’re going to see is a big reddish bump with the size of Jupiter brewing on your face. Truly, the ugliest forces of nature never fails to ruin our flawless days. Zits, Acne or Pimples as what we call it, are really the bane of one’s superficial life. Not only that it ruins your impeccable complexion, but it’s painful and itchy to boot. Worse case scenario is, it easily multiplies and spreads over your face, chest and back (even on other parts of the body). But, the worst and the most woeful of all things wreaked by it, is that it leaves hideous scars like darkspots, icepick marks or pockmarks on your face!

What are Zits/Acne/Pimples anyway?

Acne is an inflammation of the skin which caused by an irritant. This irritant is made of dead skin cells, oil (sebum) and bacteria put together in one vile concoction. Acne is actually formed to prevent further skin infection. It usually looks like a bump on your face that’s stuffed with something that clogs your pores–pustules and/or pus to be exact. Consider blackheads and whiteheads included in the list, aside from the cystic type.

If your skin is too oily, your diet’s not good enough, you tend to have a not-so-normal hormonal activity in your endocrine system and/or you just have poor hygiene, chances of getting a zit here and there are high.

Acne Dos and Don’ts

Acne can be very, very embarrassing and annoying, but resist the killer temptation to touch or prick it by yourself. Doing so will just irritate and make it worse–say, bigger and redder. It could also lead to dark spots or permanent scars (read:pockmarks). Also, try to be very careful if you’re self-medicating. Products you use may be too strong for your skin type. They may actually burn your skin in the process, aggravating your skin woes to boot.

Make sure you wash your face regularly–at most twice a day. Overwashing your face will just beckon your sebaceous glands to produce more oil on your skin.

Seek some professional’s help. Your dermatologist knows best. He/she is the one who’s the most capable of extracting those annoying zits from your face. If you’re fretting about that Jupiter-sized pimple, he/she can inject it with a cortisone shot to bid your huge worry goodbye in pronto.

In addition Your dermatologist will give you the appropriate oral and topical medications to treat your acne. If yours is due to hormonal imbalance, he/she may prescribe a hormonal pill for you to take regularly (BCP). If it’s due to bacteria, he/she may prescribe antibiotics (tetracyline, doxycycline or monocyline) that kills pimple-causing germs. If it’s due to excessive oiliness, isotretinoin (a derivative of Vitamin A) must be taken, particularly those with severe types of acne.

Of course, it won’t be complete without a skin care regimen. These are topical medications you put on the infected area daily. It may be consist of a cleanser, toner/astringent, moisturizer and/or other creams and serums that get rid or alleviates the inflammation of acne. Ingredients include salylic acid, glycolic acid (AHA), benzoyl peroxide, adapalene, tretinoin, erythromycin, clindamycin, hydroquinone and a whole lot more.

Patience is a virtue.

Of course, treatment takes time, depending on the severity of acne. I often regard it as hit-and-miss, because not all treatments can be effective for you. Some medications have side effects like breakouts on the onset of treatment. Given the not-so-positive news, don’t fret and lose hope. The flare ups may just last for as long as a month, and they will soon disintegrate and finally be cured. But, if months have passed and nothing’s changed (ergo, it has gone worse), consider asking your dermatologist about it and have a change in medication.