Treating Acne in Men

Adolescents hope that they will outgrow their acne. Unfortunately, this skin condition can plague you your whole life. Both genders face challenges related to trying to clear up their skin. Men have to deal with shaving their faces, which can cut pimples and cause scarring. Males also tend to get more serious acne because their hormones create more oil production than women, and they have worse permanent scarring. Acne can never be completely cured, but men can improve their complexions by incorporating a daily skin care schedule and making lifestyle changes that will enhance their overall health.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Acne-fighting skin wash
• Toner
• Spot treatment lotion
• Clean cotton balls
• Moisturizer

Daily Skin Care Regimine

1. Wash your face with an acne-fighting cleanser that contains benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid (such as Clean & Clear or Oxy) first thing in the morning. Pat dry.

2. Apply the toner to remove soap residue and surface skin cells. Saturate a thick, clean cotton ball or pad with the toner, and wipe your entire face with it. Only apply toner after washing your face. Use clean cotton each time.

3. Gently dab the spot-treatment lotion directly onto your pimples until it's absorbed.

4. Apply the moisturizer to your face. Be sure to cover each area thoroughly, but pat it gently around the eye area.

5. Repeat Steps 1 through 4 each night before going to bed.

6. If a pimple has come to a head or feels painful, apply a warm compress or rub a large drop of clay mask or toothpaste on it. The paste will dry out the pimple and relieve the swelling.

7. Check if any medications you take list acne as a side affect. Ask your doctor if you can modify the dosage or switch to another drug.

Lifestyle Changes

8. Eat a balanced diet. Dermatologists have stopped labeling chocolate, pizza and other such foods as acne triggers, but consuming healthier foods makes your body look and feel better overall. Drink plenty of water. Eat fruits and vegetables. Avoid sweets and fattening, greasy foods. Take a daily multivitamin.

9. Reduce your stress levels. Tension can cause breakouts. Meditation, daily exercise, relaxing walks, and yoga are a few ways you can feel more relaxed.

10. Buy shaving products with lubricating, water-based ingredients instead of items made with alcohol. These will lessen the irritation that shaving causes the skin. Aloe and tea tree extract are good choices.

11. Wash after becoming extremely sweaty or working in environments with a lot of grease, oil and chemicals. A

12. Minimize your exposure to the sun and use sunscreen. Acne medications heighten your skin's sensitivity and make it more prone to sunburn.

13. Keep your bedding clean. Oils and other irritants build up on bedsheets and can worsen your skin condition. The same goes for your clothing: Don't wear the same shirt twice without washing it.

14. Commit to a regular detox program to purge impurities from your body. Common at-home detox methods include three-day juice fasts, salt water flushes and seven-day cabbage soup cleanses.

Tips & Warnings

• Consult with a dermatologist if your acne persists. The doctor will determine if he needs to prescribe internal and/or external medicine to combat the problem. If you aren't sure which acne-fighting products to buy, purchase an all-in-one acne treatment kit. Menscience and Proactiv Solution are two such collections that can get you started.
• Don't squeeze or pick at pimples. Germs on your hands can irritate the pimple and make the acne spread. Don't wash your skin more than twice a day. Over washing strips it of essential oils and can aggravate your condition. Avoid abusing anabolic steroids. In addition to their health risks, they disrupt hormone production and cause cystic acne, a severe form of acne that is difficult to treat.

Resources

• National Institute on Drug Abuse
• Mens Science
• Proactiv Solution

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