Pimple S.O.S

Pimple S.O.S

The rude shock in the mirror

You wake up in the morning, stumble to the basement and wash your sleepy face. As you wipe it dry with a towel, you catch a glimpse of yourself in the mirror, and let out a loud groan. No, you're not having a bad face day. It's something much worse than that. It's the (shudder!) biggest darned pimple you've ever seen in your life! Ugh! Where did you go wrong?

What causes a Pimple?

A number of things can cause a pimple:

An improper diet that includes too many soft drinks, spicy and fried food and snacks with high iodine content
Pores clogged by dirt or pollution
Stress
Hormonal changes due to menstruation
Genes - blame it on the folks

Prevention is better than cure:

Wash Right

Wash your face regularly, not more than 3 times a day, unless you're living in a highly humid and/or polluted city which requires more washing to unclog pores. The best way to wash the face is to first lather your face-wash in your hands, apply it to wet skin and rinse. Pat dry. Scrubbing only aggravates the skin and causes further problems.

Cleansing Routine

Cleanse, tone and moisturise your face twice a day. Don't skip the moisturising step even if you have oily skin - just use an oil-free moisturiser.

Exposure to the elements

Avoid exposing your skin to the harsh elements. If you are going for a long drive, roll up your window slightly, so your face doesn't get plummeted by the wind, especially in polluted towns.

Water

Drink plenty of water to detox your system. Impure blood and poor circulation is one of the primary causes of acne.

Eat Right

Unless you are allergic to certain foods, eating junk food doesn't lead to the formation of pimples. But overeating certain foods, especially heating foods like chocolates and mangoes, can lead to an overnight zit congregation.

Get rid of that zit - ice ice baby!

No! Don't burst it! That's the worst thing you can do! It may solve your problem temporarily so you won't go to that dinner with a large white bud blossoming on your mug, but the scar will remain for a long, long time. Instead, try wrapping an ice cube in a thin muslin cloth and place it for about three minutes on a pimple that is just forming. It kills the growth of the pimple. Believe it, it is true.

If a pimple does burst accidentally (or intentionally!), wash the area with soap. Then reach for a lemon slice and squeeze ten drops into a cotton ball. Keep it on the burst pimple for about 10 minutes. The scar will vanish.

Lime n' Lemony

Lemon maintains the pH balance of skin, and it is a good idea to give your face a rinse of lemon water once a day. Just squeeze half a lemon into half a mug of water and splash it on your face. Rinse off the residue with regular water.

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