For most people, especially tees that are more prone to acne outbreaks, the best solution to the problem is a good acne prevention program. While some may believe that acne is only a part of growing up and the hormone fluctuations that are also blamed for teen angst, are part of the problem and there is nothing that can be done. However, if people consider that the skin is the body's largest living organ they can recognize that if they take good care of their skin, it will be nice to them.

Before a person can embark on an acne prevention program, they have to understand how acne forms and as each person is different, the causes of their acne outbreaks will be different. Some of the causes of acne include genetics, hormones, stress, the accumulation of dead skin cells and overactive sebaceous glands. Additionally, acne prevention programs also include eliminating bacteria in the pores, avoiding skin lesions and not using anabolic steroids.

Primarily, hair follicles push hair through the skin through a kind of tunnel, lubricated by sebum from the sebaceous glands. Any of the causes of acne can block this tunnel and create a lump under the skin, which in turn, collects bacteria creating acne. Prevention includes being able to keep the pores open and kill the bacteria as it is forming, or before it has the chance to grow.

Prevention Involves Daily Skin Care Regimen

For most people that suffer acne outbreaks, once the blackheads and pimples appear on the skin, it can take several days and even weeks to get rid of the unsightly blemishes. By using an appropriate acne prevention routine, they can limit the frequency and duration of the outbreaks. Keeping the skin clean and free of dead skin cells is probably the most important aspect of acne prevention they can use.

Topical bactericides such as benzoyl peroxide are commonly used in the treatment of acne outbreaks, but are not recommended in an acne prevention program. While keeping the skin clear and the pores open is an integral part f preventing the development of acne, products containing this chemical should only be used to kill the bacteria once it makes its presence known as it can also dry out the skin.

Washing the skin with non-perfumed soap that contains no oil at least twice a day is also a good acne prevention treatment. While black heads may appear to be dirt in the pores, the blackheads are actually spots of bacteria growing in the pores and can be eliminated by washing the face often and removing dead skin cells daily. 

Tags: acne prevention, acne