Blemishes can be an embarrassing eyesore, a cause of permanent disfigurement or a symptom of another health concern. While mild acne is commonly accepted as a skin condition of growing adolescents whose shifting hormone levels alter the health of their skin, it is less common in adults. When blemishes do occur, there are many ways to respond and treat them.
Stress and Hormones as a Cause of Blemishes
Hormonal changes can affect the health of the skin and lead to an onset of or increase in acne. Some of the causes of hormonal changes are unavoidable, such as puberty, and others are the unfortunate side effects of medications or an unrelated condition. In these cases, there is little that can be done to reduce or eliminate the hormonal influence on the skin. Some hormonal changes are brought about by stress. If acne suddenly appears after an increase in stress, this could be the cause. Patients suffering from acne due to stress should consider possible ways to reduce stress and combat its resultant hormonal imbalance.
The Effect of Diet on the Skin
While the Journal of the American Medical Association does not recognize any specific food as playing a role in acne treatment in most patients, certain nutrients have a significant impact on the health of the skin. Vitamin A helps to maintain the health of the skin and mucous membrane that functions as a barrier to bacteria and virus. The beta-carotene found in carrots, yams, apricots, cantaloupe, tomatoes, spinach, kale and parsley is a good source of Vitamin A. For long-term prevention of blemishes, maintain a balanced diet that includes these fruits and vegetables.
Keeping Skin Clean
Blemishes are caused by a buildup of oils beneath the skin due to clogged pores. To prevent acne, wash the skin regularly to remove acne-causing bacteria, dirt and other astringents. The regular use of warm, clean water is typically sufficient to remove external acne-causing factors from the skin. Topical skin cleaners that contain alcohol may be effective, as they remove astringents and destroy acne-causing bacteria but they will not affect other causes of acne.
Treating Existing Blemishes
Existing blemishes require attention to treat. Makeup can be used to cover blemishes, but should be thoroughly washed off in a timely manner to avoid further clogging of the skin’s pores. In cases of light acne, continued cleaning of the affected skin will yield results over time. More severe cases of acne may require topical medications or hormonal treatments. If acne becomes severe, or if cleaning and lifestyle fail to affect existing blemishes, a dermatologist can examine the patient and recommend an appropriate method of treatment.
