Football Acne. How can I get it to go away??

Question

I am a Junior at my local High School, and play football. We have been having two-a-day practices in the last couple of weeks before school starts, and I have been breaking out worse than ever before.

I understand that spending 5 hours a day in a sweaty football helmet is not good for my skin, but this year has been worse than years past. My skin is red, sore, itchy, and worst of all: covered in acne.

School starts in about a week, and I would like to look my best (maybe to impress a certain someone). Is there anyone that has been in a similar situation or that can suggest a good home remedy/over the counter/prescription medicine that will clear up my acne??

Answer 1

I am a Registered Nurse and I specialize in skin care and teen acne.

As a matter of fact, I am working with a team of high school baseball players and they all follow the advice/regimen I am writing to you about.

If you follow the advice of a professional YOUR ACNE SHOULD CLEAR UP!

OVER THE COUNTER OR PRODUCTS SOLD IN THE MALL DO NOT WORK!!! I have been doing this for 12 years so I have a lot of experience.

Your question is very broad and you need to get professional advice. I will explain why it's a broad question!

Your age plays a role! Do you always have breakouts?

However, acne can result from several factors such an increase in hormone levels. In males testosterone or androgens. In females, androgens respectively. The increase in androgen levels can stimulate the oil glands to become enlarged and thus more oil production is produced. An increased oil production can clog the pores with oil or sebum ( white thick substance) which cause the cell walls of the pores in the skin to breakdown. This process allows bacteria to form and thus breakouts develop.

Genetics may also be a cause. It is a myth that greasy food or chocolate causes breakouts.

However, using make-up sponges that are not changed or washed often can contaminate the pores with bacteria which may develop into acneic breakouts.

If you are a teenager ( which I assume that you are) your hormones play a definite role in your breakouts.

If you have severe breakouts than you might need medication. There are many factors.

The most important thing is that you need products that are AGE APPROPRIATE! Every age group has different products appropriate for them. If you are young than you need milder products as to not dry out your beautiful young skin.

The problem with commercial skin products is that they are manufactured for MASSES OF PEOPLE and are not specifically made for different peoples' needs.

Your skin type is different than mine and your age differs from mine so how is it logical that we both use the same skin product for breakouts. We need different strengths of cleansers and toners. Do you kind of understand what I am getting at?

Here is my STRONG SUGGESTION for you. I refer all my students and patients to this website:

www.aboutyourskincare.com

You need to consult with professionals and on this website YOU CAN ASK QUESTIONS FOR FREE AND A SKIN EXPERT/PHYSICIAN WILL ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS. It would be a shame if you dont take advantage of this free service.

Lastly, they have incredible products for breakouts and they make them specifically for every kind of skin type. That means that if your breakouts are more severe than mine, than while we both will buy the same product yours will have stronger ingredients than mine will.

They have a mild glycolic acid cleanser that's great for your type of skin and also a DRYING LOTION ( I have 3 bottles) that you put directly on your breakouts and the next day it's gone. It's truely magic in a bottle.

A basic guideline for properly taking care of your skin is this ( now if you're a young girl you will need fewer products than this):

Night time:

1. Exfoliate the skin

2. Mild Glycolic Acid Cleanser

3. Mild Glycolic Acid Toner ( cleans off the excess debris and balances the PH level of the skin).

4. Drying Lotion used only on breakouts

5. Moisturizer

Morning:

1. Mild Glycolic Acid Cleanser

2. Moisturizing cream

The above is a standard you may need to only use one or two products. Visit: www.aboutyourskincare.com

As I suggested and click on the ASK FOR FREE section send them an email and you will get free expert skin care advice.

You can also read up on acne at: www.aboutacneproblems.blogspot.com

Good Luck to you,

Michelle

Answer 2

I know you've probably heard this plenty of times, but from personal experience, I know that Proactiv definitely does work. If you keep up with the instructions, and wash your face twice a day with it, you can see results in just a week.

Since you don't have time to wait for the Proactiv to come in the mail, then I'd suggest heading to your local CVS Pharmacy or Walgreens and picking up a few products. Also from personal experience, I've found that Clean and Clear Acne Spot Treatment works AMAZINGLY. It's a gel that you put on your pimples and trouble spots, and it dries them up, and makes them noticeably smaller within a day. Just don't rub it in like a lotion, and instead put a thin layer on it. Also, find a cleanser (I'd highly suggest Cetaphil: it's moisturizing, unscented, and most dermatologists would recommend it) to use before you use the spot treatment.

Other than that, you could use a Qtip, dip it in some lemon juice, and put it on the acne or problem spots like the spot treatment. It might burn a little bit though.

Also, make sure you clean your face or shower after each practice. The sweat will clog your pores, and cause more acne.

It's not "unmanly" AT ALL to wash your face. Good hygiene is admirable in a guy.

Answer 3

put lemon juice on your face before bed and rinse with water when you wake up....or you can even put it on and leave the house yet make sure its dry first!

Answer 4

A good home remedy is sleeping on terry cloth or check out www.plushpillowcases.com   They naturally clean your skin while you sleep.  SWEET DREAMS