There are the microscopic small comedonal acne that can be in the form of whiteheads (open comedo) or blackheads (closed comedo).

A more serious formation of acne are the nodules and pustules. Nodules are large and firm and exist below the skin, whereas pustules are yellowish bumps that are pus-filled.

There are acne forms which are non-inflammatory, carry no pus but only appear as red spots. These are commonly referred to as pimples.

Of all acne cases, cysts are the worst. Cysts are sac-like formations filled with pus that is spread under the skin tissue in a diameter of 5 mm or more across. The pus runs deep below the skin’s surface, which often results in serious pain.

Not all cysts are caused by inner factors. Some may be the result of squeezing small pus-filled acne, causing the pus to run even deeper into the skin and aggravating the infection.

Acne vulgaris is the most common form of acne, containing both whiteheads and blackheads.

Acne rosacea is characterized by a flushed appearance of the face due to the enlargement of blood vessels which is caused by inflammatory bumps. The most common places acne rosacea appears are on the chin and
forehead.

Perioral dermatitis is the form of acne which young women suffer from. The common places where these tiny papules appear are around the mouth and on the chin.

Acne conglobata is another severe form of acne that affects the chest, back and the face. This is an intensive form of acne vulgaris where multiple cysts and nodules are spread in large areas. Acne conglobata is more common
among men.

Need guidance on how to get rid of your acne? Check out my Acne No More program

The post What are the different types of acne? first appeared on Mike Walden's Acne Blog.

The post What are the different types of acne? appeared first on Mike Walden's Acne Blog.

But did you know that dairy products (especially cow’s milk) are probably one
the most notorious acne-aggravating products you can find?

They cause allergies, create heavy mucus, and they clog your digestive tracts as they become like glue once they enter your bowels.

Dairy products are loaded with hormones injected into the animals in order to increase their capacity to produce milk.

Dairy products are filled with antibiotics, which are destructive to your body and hormonal balance.

In fact, humans are the only species that drink the milk of other species. The problem is that we cannot digest the milk as calves do. Our digestion system is built differently.

We cannot process the protein in milk either. This often leads to multiple types of allergic reactions and digestive problems that manifest themselves as acne.

My own experience of milk was almost magical. As soon as I stopped consuming cow’s milk products, my acne condition dramatically improved.

What to avoid: milk, cheese and yogurt. Also avoid products that have lactose, milk proteins, whey protein and dry skim milk powder.

Great substitute: sesame seed butter. This is ground whole sesame seeds (not the regular Tahini), a wonderful source of protein and calcium containing more than 1100 mg of calcium per 100 g.

Good alternatives to dairy products include nut milks (sesame, almond, etc.) and nut creams (cashew, macadamia, etc.).

Soy products can also serve as an alternative but should be consumed sparingly because excessive consumption has been linked to thyroid problems.

As for chocolate, if you must then chooser dark chocolate (no dairy ingredients, preferably with high percentages of cocoa solids). I have found chocolates based on carob powders to be extremely tasty. Eat in moderation.

Need guidance on how to get rid of your acne? Check out my Acne No More program

The post Can eating dairy products cause acne or is it just a myth? first appeared on Mike Walden's Acne Blog.

The post Can eating dairy products cause acne or is it just a myth? appeared first on Mike Walden's Acne Blog.

Did you know that pimples contain oil, bacteria and grime or dead cells? But if you pop a pimple, you are basically interfering with your skin’s natural healing process.

So should you leave them be? Will they disappear on their own? And if so, when exactly?

Some pimples just won’t pop. You try and squeeze them but they seem stubborn. Others like cysts, sometimes just need a small squeeze and they start popping.

There is a certain life span to a pimple. It develops from blocked pores and bacteria. White blood cells are then sent to fight off the infection.

They die but form pustules. The infection at this final stage heals but may form a scar.

Large pimples can take up to 30-45 days to disappear but the smaller kind may take only a couple of days.

Now, you don’t want to leave any scar tissue so if you have some patience you can try drying them up. This can speed up the healing process.

You can apply 5% Benzoyl peroxide twice a day. And you can also try this Aspirin paste:

Take 5 “uncoated” aspirins and crush them into a bowl and add 1 teaspoon water and 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar into the bowl, wait a minute or two for aspirins to dissolve into a PASTE, stir with your
finger and dab this paste on to individual spots.

Need guidance on how to get rid of your acne? Check out my Acne No More program

The post Can pimples pop on their own? first appeared on Mike Walden's Acne Blog.

The post Can pimples pop on their own? appeared first on Mike Walden's Acne Blog.

They didn’t always leave a mark. But when they did, the discoloration was always worse than the actual pimple.

These marks or spots(as opposed to acne scars) are called Post-inflammatory hyper-pigmentation. Depending on your skin tone they can be black, purple red or brown.

What causes these marks? It’s because of the skin’s healing process. As the body is fighting the pimple and the local inflammation, it releases an excess of melanin(the skin color’s protein) which can cause discoloration.

These marks or spots can fade over time but it can take up to months or even years till that area has completely healed. Unfortunately, in some cases, the marks can be permanent.

So in order to prevent Post-inflammatory hyper-pigmentation, you must do whatever it takes to prevent acne from forming in the first place by changing you diet and by maintaining proper hygiene.

But if you already have spots then you must see your dermatologist. He will probably prescribe glycolic acid which helps speed up the healing process of your skin.

Another optional treatment is taking a supplement called MSM for about 2 months until these marks fade completely.

Need guidance on how to get rid of your acne? Check out my Acne No More program

The post Can red marks go away naturally? first appeared on Mike Walden's Acne Blog.

The post Can red marks go away naturally? appeared first on Mike Walden's Acne Blog.

I used to wash my face about 3-4 times a day using gentle facial cleansers that were also non-irritating, but no one ever told me how to do it right.

You will be surprised to know that not only the right way of washing the skin fends off acne, but also the wrong wash can trigger unwanted acne. Your facial skin is extremely delicate, ultra-sensitive, and has plenty of in-built defense mechanisms in action.

Especially if you are ridden with acne, every touch on your face counts!

Washing your face should be a delicate and elegant affair. Treat your face with the dignity it deserves. To begin with, stop scrubbing your face cruelly with that harsh soap.

Use cleansers that exfoliate your skin but don’t rob the moisture off its surface. Make sure that as far as possible, the cleansing medium is natural, anti-bacterial, anti-septic, pH balanced and mild.

Use your finger-tips to massage gently on your face, and be particularly soft at the acne points. You don’t want to inflict damage on an already damaged skin.

The average time taken to wash your face should be around 5 minutes.

Use lukewarm water to wet your face first, and then apply the cleanser evenly on your face, mixing with glycerine or diluted tea tree oil, or Neem extracts, if need be.

Don’t rub your face with your fingers. Instead press your fingers deeply yet lightly and move them in a circular fashion.

You should not over-wash. Cleansing religiously twice a day is more than enough to keep your skin clean. After a wash, don’t forget to pat it dry with a soft, cotton-based towel.

If you spend a lot of time doing field work, then washing three times a day would be fine. But remember to replenish your skin’s moisture content after every wash. Use an oil-controlled moisturizer for this purpose.

Don’t experiment too much with cleansers. Go for the trials until you find a product that suits your skin needs, and then stick to it.

Giving the skin time to adjust to a certain set of chemicals can be beneficial in the long run. If you have a problem of large skin pores, apply ice immediately after wash. It can act as a natural toner and close down your pores.

If you suffer from dry acne, applying aloe Vera extracts after cleansing can prove to be extremely beneficial.

Bad hygiene practices, harshness of skin handling, and poor selection of facial products can lead to acne. So be gentle with your skin.

Use a gentle touch, gentle products, and ensure skin hygiene by following simple, gentle cleansing routines. You need not be obsessed about washing your skin to get rid of acne!

Need guidance on how to get rid of your acne? Check out my Acne No More program

The post Are You Washing Your Face The Right Way? first appeared on Mike Walden's Acne Blog.

The post Are You Washing Your Face The Right Way? appeared first on Mike Walden's Acne Blog.