Acne woes: In the spotlight

As the heat and humidity turn up, so do pimples on your skin

HEALTH: From around the time we reach puberty, pimples begin to appear on our skin and can continue to make an unwanted appearance for years to come. In summer, the chances of a breakout clouding your day are even higher. Read on to find out how to pre-empt a pimple

What is a pimple?

A pimple is an inflamed area of the skin with a pus formation resulting from bacteria-infected oil glands. The skin’s pores connect to oil glands, forming a substance called sebum. In the summer, the sun dries the water out of your skin, leaving it dehydrated, which makes your oil glands overgrow and overproduce.

Pimples break out mostly on the face, neck, chest, back and shoulders. Though there are no serious health issues resulting from pimples, they can leave permanent scars and also affect self-esteem.

Going clear: How to treat a pimple

“Anti-acne and herbal medications, increased water intake and proper cleansing with a good face wash can be very good treatment,” advises Dr Khurram Mushir, a consultant dermatologist and cosmetologist based in Karachi. “Cut down on junk food and other oily foods,” he adds. Dermatologists suggest using a benzoyl peroxide or a 2% salicylic wash to keep your pores clear.

Ice:

Ice can calm swelling and soreness. Hold an ice pack on the affected area for a few minutes to get the pore to close. Dirt and bacteria will drain out after this and the swelling will also die down.

Stay clean:

Wash your face at least twice a day and keep cleansing tissues with you throughout the day so you may wipe it when necessary. Cleanse your skin especially after exercising. Wearing natural fibers like cotton in summer ensures that sweat doesn’t stay on the skin’s surface, clogging pores with bacteria.

Establish a routine:

Some creams, lotions and cosmetics that you use can be potentially harmful to your skin. Consult a dermatologist or try cutting out certain cosmetics to see if this helps.

Hands off:

Don’t pick or try to scratch off pimples. Touching the affected area can inflame your skin and increase bacteria. Picking at a pimple will leave you with scarring and a greater chance of a breakout on the surrounding skin as bacteria spreads.

Change your diet:

Foods high in sugar and oil are known to also increase the chances of a breakout. Add vitamins and vegetables to your diet, and have plenty of water throughout the day to  hydrate your skin.

Limit exposure to sunlight:

Make sure to moisturise and use SPF-enhanced cosmetics or sunblock. Go for a lightweight sunscreen that’s non-comedogenic (this will be specified on the label).

What can cause a breakout?

Hormonal changes in pregnancy or during your

teenage years

Greasy makeup or dirty makeup brushes

Heredity

Starting or stopping the intake of birth control

medication

Some types of medications

Moliha Arfeen is a Karachi-based student. She tweets @MolihaArfeen19

Published in The Express Tribune, Sunday Magazine, August 2^nd, 2015.