How to Treat Arm Acne
Body acne is as embarrassing and uncomfortable as facial acne. You may go for years without any acne on your arms, to wake up to pimples covering your arms. Thankfully, mild and some moderate body acne can often be treated at home with over-the-counter (OTC) acne remedies. It may take a few weeks for your acne to disappear once you have started treating it, so don't be discouraged if your acne does not improve overnight. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Wash your skin daily with a mild cleanser and warm water in the shower. The Mayo Clinic website suggests you stay away from "facial scrubs, astringents, and masks . . . because they tend to irritate skin, which can worsen acne."
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Apply an OTC topical acne treatment to the problem areas on your arms.
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Use a sunscreen that is approved for acne prone skin. Sensitive skin formulas and oil-free sunscreens are ideal for acne prone skin. Sun damage will not only increase your risk for skin cancer, but can make your breakouts worse. The Acne Treatment website warns that sunscreen is available to protect your skin, but that there is no sunscreen that will clear up your skin.
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Make an appointment with your primary care physician or a dermatologist if your acne does not improve with regular treatment. The Everett Clinic website notes you should see a doctor if "Your pimples are large and hard or filled with fluid . . . called cystic acne, or if one or both of your parents had severe acne and scarring."
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Tips & Warnings
Many companies offer body cleansers specific to acne-prone skin. These products use the same OTC ingredients as typical acne treatments, but allow you to wash your body while treating your acne at the same time.
Your doctor can prescribe stronger acne medications for moderate or severe acne.
Drink plenty of water and avoid using oily products on your skin that will clog your pores and promote breakouts.
When using an acne-specific body wash, read the label to see what other OTC acne medications can be used after you have showered with the body wash. Failure to read these instructions can increase skin irritation and cause more breakouts.
References
- Photo Credit arm pumping image by MAXFX from Fotolia.com
