Keeping Acne Under Control.
- Keep your hands away from your face. Squeezing blackheads and pimples can make them worse.
- Keep your hair off your face. Cut, tie, or comb it, but don't let it add to your acne by spreading oil and bacteria.
- Avoid oily soaps, moisturizing creams, oily hair preparations, and all heavy makeup.
- If you use makeup, be sure to use water-base preparations.
- Change the way you wash your face, If you find yourself facing periodic acne breakouts, try changing the way you wash your face. Don't scrub too hard, because that can irritate your skin and make it more vulnerable to bacteria. Use a clean towel (or tissue) to dry your face, so as not to transfer bacteria from a used towel. And be sure that objects that come in contact with your face "like a telephone receiver" are clean. Drink at least 64 ounces of water a day, exercise, and try to take stress breaks. Don't rely on the sun to "dry up" your acne. It won't help and it will only set you up for wrinkles and skin cancer.
- Within the limits of a healthy diet, eat whatever you like. There is no evidence that diet affects acne. If you believe that you react to certain foods, keep a record of what happens each time you eat the food and eliminate that food if you are convinced that it flares your acne.
- If tetracycline is prescribed, be sure to take it at least one hour before or two hours after mealtime. Never take milk, ice cream, or other dairy products within two hours before or after taking medicine. It's best to take medicine at bedtime with a glass of water. Other antibiotics can be taken with meals. Please ask for instructions.
- Remember, treatment only controls acne; it doesn't cure it. Don't stop treatment because your skin clears up. Acne lesions begin at least a month before you can see them.
- Learn to accept the ups and downs of acne activity. With persistence, you will ultimately see real improvement.