Pimples / Acne (Severe acne)

If you have a severe acne condition, over-the-counter medicine may not be effective. In this case, if you want to get rid of pimples, you should go to a skin doctor (dermatologist). The doctor may prescribe topical treatment with:

• prescription-strength benzoyl peroxide;
• retinoid;
• antibiotic;
• salicylic acid.

Or medications for internal treatment:

• antibiotics;
• hormone therapy medicine;
• isotretinoin.

A dermatologist may also prescribe in-office treatments, including:

• Laser therapy to reduce p. acnes bacteria;
• Chemical peeling;
• Acne removal used to remove large acne cysts.

A dermatologist will also tell you when you no longer need any acne treatments.

Make sure you have a healthy lifestyle so your body can effectively fight with acne. Adjust your lifestyle according to the following tips:

• Get enough sleep. Sleep deprivation contributes to stress, and stress leads to pimples.
• Change your meals to prevent blood sugar spikes - exclude empty calories like sugar, pasta, white bread etc. Sharp increases of blood sugar lead to insulin boosts which in turn promote formation of cells that clog pores. 
• Use sunscreen. Sun exposure may lead to inflammation and acne breakouts.
• Eat fruits and vegetables. They are reach in vitamins essential for your skin health.
• Clean your face and anything that comes into contact with it (cellphone, pillow). This will prevent dirt, makeup and dust from clogging the pores.
• Exercise. Physical activity helps reduce stress and improves blood circulation.
• Drink water. Water keeps your skin hydrated and carries away toxins from it.
• Consume Omega-3 fatty acids. They are proven to control the production of leukotriene B4, a substance that can increase sebum and cause inflammatory acne.
• Exfoliate and moisturize your skin afterwards.
• Wash your face after you use hair products to prevent "pomade acne".

AHAs (glycolic acid and lactic acid) have exfoliating effects which can prevent the clogging of pores and bring pimples to a head faster.

AHA acne treatments come in the form of lotion, toner or gel, as well in some cleansers or body washes.

Examples of products with Alpha Hydroxy Acids:

http://www.amazon.com/Acne-Org-Acne-org-6-oz-AHA/dp/B001CLXNZ0
http://www.amazon.com/Alpha-Hydrox-AHA-Enhanced-Lotion/dp/B000052YM7
http://www.amazon.com/Paulas-Choice-Perfecting-Exfoliant-Chamomile/dp/B00949CO66

You can find more information on how to use AHAs here.

Green tea is rich in antioxidants, particularly in catechin, which is a 25-50 times more potent antioxidant than vitamin E. Its benefits include:

• Reduces sebum production.
• Prevents inflammation
• Reduces inflammatory reaction to the bacteria that cause acne.

You can treat your pimples with green tea either

• orally – Drink 4-5 cups of caffeine free green tea per day. You can also try taking green tea extract supplements like this one.
• topically – Apply the brewed tea onto pimples. Or you can use Q-tips to apply brewed and cooled tea from green tea leaves on the affected area. This should be done at least 3 times daily.

 You can find more information and links to research articles here.

Witch hazel is a herbal remedy known in traditional medicine for its ability to treat skin diseases. It has a set of properties that help in healing acne:

• Astringent - shrinks the skin and constricts pores;
• Antiseptic - witch hazel is a mild antiseptic and anti-inflammatory remedy (it contains tannins, proanthocyanidins, flavonoids and resins);
• Anti-irritant.

Witch hazel tonic:

In a glass jar, add 1 tablespoon of dried lavender flowers and 6 drops of lavender oil  to a cup of witch hazel. Close the lid and store the jar in a cool, dry place for a week, shaking it daily. Filter the flowers off and pour the remaining liquid in a dark-colored glass container.

Shake the bottle and use cotton balls to apply the herbal extract on the affected skin area. Use three times per day or less.

Witch hazel mask:

Mix 1 teaspoon of witch hazel and 2 teaspoons of honey. You can also add essential oils to form a paste. Apply it on the skin area with pimples and leave for 15 minutes. Wash your face with cool water.

Manuka honey is considered the best kind of honey for treating pimples and acne that comes from New Zealand and Australia is a strong anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial remedy. Alternatively, you can use raw (unprocessed and unpasteurized) honey.

Keep in mind that bacteria is not the only one factor causing acne, the other being closed pores. While honey is indeed an effective antibacterial agent, it cannot penetrate into a clogged pore and do its job there. 

There are several ways of using honey as an anti-pimple solution:

1. Apply honey as a spot treatment by putting a droplet of honey on a would-be pimple.
2. Use honey as a mask, applying it over clean skin. Wet your hands to spread it easily. You can leave such mask for at least 15 minutes or even overnight. Honey masks don't dry up, so don't put too much of it on your skin.

Internal use: Quercetin found in the honey delays stress reactions of acne-susceptible skin.

For more details see http://www.facingacne.com/honey-stop-acne/

Do not use honey if you are allergic to it.

The Acne Cure by Terry J. Dubrow contains valuable information on how to get rid of acne with a special treatment programme.

Acne RX by James E. Fulton is a little outdated (published in 2001), but still a very helpful guide on how to choose the right method for treating acne.