Clear Skin for Women
Many women bought into the myth that after the age of 16, they should no longer have acne, but with this new surge of acne-related products that appeal to a variety of women, we now know that acne can affect women at any age. With fluctuating hormones each month, many women are familiar with their period being accompanied with a pimple or two. Hormones are responsible for the little blackheads, as well as the very tender swollen cystic bumps that can show up on your chin, nose and forehead. The good news is that you do not have to deal with this every month.
The solution? There is a whole new generation of birth control pills that have been proven to prevent acne. The most well known is Ortho Tri-Cyclen which was the first birth control pill to be tested and promoted for preventing acne. Yaz is another birth control pill that is now considered an anti-acne medication. Both of these pills are anti-androgenic which means that they keep pre-period breakouts from occurring so harshly because androgen male hormones are responsible for these hormonal breakouts. These birth control pills are beneficial because they put a cap on a woman is androgen levels.
Some women, however, prefer not to be on an oral contraceptive, but are more inclined to use a high-grade topical. The most popular alternative to birth control pills is the prescription retinoid such as Retin-A or Tazoracóboth topicals used on the face. These prescription-based medications help to increase the rate of how fast oneís skin cells shed. This sloughing off of the skin helps to keep pores clean, free and unclogged. Another great benefit is that most women see a reduction in their fine lines and wrinkles. Retin-A and Tazorac are both effective at keeping breakouts at bay, but they do increase a woman is sensitivity to the sun, so when using these products, a good sunscreen is crucial.
When accessing your skin, it is best to keep track of all of the things you are currently using and those things you have used in the past. Keep a list of antibiotics and topical medications so you can discuss this with your dermatologist. The role of your dermatologist is to tell you if the medication was too strong, too mild or if it was used incorrectly. It is important that the dermatologist know as much of your skin history as possible so she can determine what route to take next for your skin. When using a new treatment for acne, it is best to allow six to eight weeks for the treatment to begin working. Sometimes, a woman is acne may flare up worse before her skin begins to improve.
A few more things that should be considered: if your acne keeps occurring in the same place, it might be easy for you to figure out what is aggravating the area. Maybe it is your hair, pillow, wash cloth, telephone, or perhaps a daily product. You might want to make sure you change your wash cloth daily, change your pillowcase every other day, or put a new towel on it each night, wipe down your telephone with alcohol, and make sure your hair is off of your face. If you think a particular product is causing your breakout, then discontinue its use immediately. Some people are blessed with clear skin and for others it is a matter of trial and error, but however you achieve it, clear skin is a woman is right.
