Pimples, also known as acne, are caused by a complex interplay of many factors, such as bacteria, hormonal imbalances, and the clogging of the skin's follicles. Some types of bacteria can grow inside the follicles, causing inflammation. While you can try to prevent or get rid of pimples, people often have to learn how to deal with them throughout their life. If they make you worry about your appearance, luckily there are many ways to hide them.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Developing Self-Esteem
Step 1. Remember that you are beautiful
Focus on the aspects of yourself that you like and not the pimples. You can think of your physical beauty as well as your personality. Do you like your body or do you love your hair? Are you smart or funny? If you have a hard time finding positive things about yourself, ask friends, family, or teachers what they like about you. A question like "What do you think are my best features?" it's a great starting point to focus on your best sides.
Step 2. Look around
While in some cases it may seem like you are the only one with pimples, the truth is that most people suffer from acne at one time or another. Between 70 and 87% of teens have some form of acne, and pimples come to many adults as well. This is the most common skin problem in the world.
Step 3. Don't be too critical of yourself
Too often, we are our toughest judge. Unfortunately, the intensity of self-criticism and that of acne tend to peak around the same time as adolescence. Remember that even if acne looks awful to you, many people won't even notice it. Think of your friends with pimples. Do you find them ugly? Probably not!
Step 4. Don't give up hope
There are simple and effective treatments to improve or eliminate acne in three weeks. Almost all people suffer from this problem only during adolescence and see it disappear when they reach their twenties. It may seem like an eternity, but convincing yourself that this is a passing problem reduces its importance. Think about the fact that acne will go away around the same time your parents won't be able to tell you what to do.
- Even if you suffer from adult acne, it is rarely a permanent problem. For some people it simply takes longer to get over the problem. Although pimples do not go away completely, in almost all cases their severity decreases over time. Additionally, you may notice that some treatments are more effective than when you were a teenager.
- If you are a transsexual adult and are undergoing testosterone therapy, consider that it is very likely that you will get pimples or that your acne will get worse. As with puberty, this is a problem that in some cases goes away on its own.
Step 5. Don't be ashamed
Acne is not your fault. This is a normal part of life that affects almost everyone at one time or another. There are many myths about what causes pimples, which often blame a poor diet. However, there is no reliable evidence linking foods like chocolate to outlets. While a few simple steps can help minimize acne, there is actually little you can do to prevent pimples other than addressing them when they arise.
Part 2 of 4: Hide Acne with Makeup
Step 1. Choose your makeup carefully
The idea that makeup causes acne has become widespread. Although some sources disprove this theory, it is still useful to be careful what you put on your face. All "non-comedogenic" cosmetics are better in this respect because they do not clog the pores. Also look for "hypoallergenic" products. Here's what you need to avoid:
- Thick or thick makeup.
- Oily or oil-based make-up.
- Anything you are allergic to. If you have allergies, check the ingredient list of all products.
Step 2. Use cosmetics to hide acne
Always apply makeup lightly and gently. Use a primer, foundation, and powder, in that order. If the pimples are still visible, you can use a concealer. It may be helpful to choose a colored concealer, which will help mask the redness of the pimple. Depending on the color of your complexion, you can use yellow, brown or green.
Step 3. Avoid drawing attention to the areas affected by acne
Makeup doesn't always hide pimples perfectly, especially when it comes to big breakouts. Do what you can to avert the eyes of those who see you from those points.
- If you have pimples near your mouth or chin, avoid bright colored lipsticks.
- If your acne is worse on the cheeks, avoid bronzers or contouring. However, pink blushes can help hide pimples better.
- If you have a big rash on your forehead, use a neutral eyeshadow and avoid putting too much attention on your brows.
Step 4. Remove all makeup before the end of the day
While it's unclear whether wearing makeup causes acne, forgetting to take it off is almost certainly one of the causes of the problem. Make sure you wash your face thoroughly every night before bed.
Many dermatologists recommend using exfoliating wipes, which remove makeup and dead skin cells that clog pores. Plus, because they're simple to use, disposable wipes make it easier for you to stick to your evening routine
Step 5. Clean your brushes regularly
You should clean your makeup brushes and applicators at least once a week. These tools become infested with bacteria and yeast, which can infect and irritate the skin. If you don't wear makeup often, it's best to clean your brushes after each use.
Part 3 of 4: Using Other Methods to Hide Acne
Step 1. Consider retouching your photos
If acne leads you to not wanting to be photographed, remember that it is so easy to remove pimples with image editing programs. You may get the impression that famous people never get pimples, when in fact their blemishes are simply erased with the click of a mouse. Here are some precautions you can take to prevent unwanted photos of you from circulating:
- Offer your camera to take the photos, then edit them before sending them to others.
- Gain a reputation as a great photographer and be sure to give everyone a copy of the shots shortly after the event.
- Get help from a close friend or relative to take the photo and edit it before distributing it, or ask the photographer for a helping hand.
- If you don't have an image editing program, you can download an open-source one from the internet for free. Since blemish retouching is a very common use of these software, there are many online guides on how to do it.
Step 2. Distract others from your pimples
If you don't want people to notice your acne, try putting emphasis on other elements of your appearance. Here are some possibilities:
- You can style your hair in an elaborate way.
- You can dress well.
- You can choose very eye-catching items.
Step 3. Don't irritate the skin
It may be tempting to squeeze or touch your pimples, but this only increases the redness and lengthens the healing time. You should also avoid rubbing your face too hard, or it will cause more inflammation. Don't make your acne even redder or it will be more noticeable.
Part 4 of 4: Getting Rid of Acne Ostinata
Step 1. Consult a dermatologist for a prescription
If acne affects your self-esteem to the point of causing you anxiety or depression, you should talk to your doctor and get it treated. You've probably tried over-the-counter medications in the past, but a dermatologist can prescribe more effective medications. There are many types of drug therapies that you can use in combination:
- Topical ointments: Wash your face with a cleanser that contains benzoyl peroxide twice a day. You can also use a tonic with salicylic acid in addition to a cream with concentrated benzoyl peroxide for the spot treatment of the most affected areas. Incorporate retinol into your evening routine before applying a non-comedogenic moisturizer. If you have very sensitive skin, you can only have two treatments per week.
- AntibioticsThese drugs kill bacteria and help reduce inflammation. They can be taken topically (applied directly to the skin) or orally (taken in pills).
- Hormone therapy: Since acne can be caused by hormonal imbalances, women may decide to take birth control pills or antiandrogens (testosterone blockers).
Step 2. Talk to your dermatologist about procedures that can cure acne
These treatments are usually prescribed in conjunction with drug therapy. While they are potentially effective, they also have a tendency to be expensive and time-consuming. Here are the most common procedures:
- PhototherapyThese therapies, which use lasers and other types of antibacterial lights, are able to eliminate the bacteria that contribute to acne.
- Chemical peels: These treatments are used to exfoliate and make the skin smoother. Dermatologists have much more potent chemical peeling products available than you can find at the pharmacy.
- Direct acne removalIf you have a large cyst that doesn't heal with medication, your dermatologist may decide to drain it. Contrary to what you do when you squeeze pimples, your doctor will perform this procedure with sterile tools that prevent scars from appearing.
Step 3. Try alternative treatments
You may decide to try less common therapies as well. If you can't find the products mentioned below in local pharmacies, try searching the internet.
- Turmeric, the yellow spice best known for its use in curry, has been used in folk medicine for centuries. Recently, modern science has revealed the antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties of this plant, which is likely to be beneficial against acne. Try making a turmeric face mask at home.
- Tea tree oil is famous for its antimicrobial properties and is currently being studied as a possible treatment for many skin problems, including acne. It can be used as a spot treatment or added to a face mask. There are also soaps and shampoos with tea tree oil on the market.
- Topical green tea extract has also shown good potential as an acne treatment. You can purchase green tea lotions and facial scrubs, or make these treatments yourself.
Step 4. Consider isotretinoin as a last resort
Commonly known by its trade name "Roaccutan", it is a powerful drug that often eliminates acne altogether. Due to its common and in some cases severe side effects, dermatologists usually do not prescribe this medicine until all other methods have been tried. The most common side effects include dry skin, joint pain and frequent nosebleeds. Other rare but serious effects include changes in vision and digestive problems that can lead to irritable bowel syndrome. Although most of the negative effects disappear after treatment is finished, some persist for years. Despite these risks, many patients are happy with the final result. Just be sure to make an informed decision when talking to your doctor about your treatment.
- You should never take isotretinoin if you are pregnant or trying to become one. This drug can cause severe birth defects.
- If you live in the United States and can become pregnant, consider that it is more difficult to get a prescription for isotretinoin. By law, you are required to undergo a visit to the doctor who prescribed the drug for you and undergo a pregnancy test. In addition, you must agree to use two forms of contraception or to practice abstinence from 30 days before starting therapy until 30 days after the end.
- Although the possible side effects of depression and suicide have been widely publicized, their correlation with isotretinoin remains controversial.
- Do not donate blood when taking this drug.
