Your skin is the largest organ in your body. Besides helping the body in the process of toxin elimination (one of the main acne contributing factors), it also protects your body from temperature changes and harmful invaders. By working with your skin and not against it you pave the way to an enhanced healing of the skin. Your skin will look and feel better, it will become more even toned and vibrant. On the other hand, by constantly doing the following, you are weakening the natural protecting capabilities of your skin, you are slowing down the healing process of your skin, and are making your skin look bad and your acne worse… 1. Smoking Besides lung cancer, heart disease and early aging of your skin (e.g. wrinkles), smoking causes the contraction of the small capillaries and blood vessels of the skin, thus depriving your skin from the essential oxygen it needs for the creation and maintenance of healthy cells. 2. Using Topical Steroids Over the counter or prescription cortisone based creams, especially the potent types, can eventually thin your skin and worsen your acne condition in the long run in addition to the irritation, redness and other side effects steroid creams can cause. Moreover, topicals by definition address the symptoms of acne (inflammation, itching, puss), but they do not treat the root of the disease. Nevertheless, taking care of your skin externally is highly recommended but should be performed gently using pure natural ingredients such as diluted tea tree oil. 3. Taking Antibiotics Antibiotic treatments like tetracycline aggravate your acne in the long run and also severely damage your internal system in the process. Antibiotics destroy all the bacteria in your system including the good, probiotic bacteria like acidophilus that have many essential qualities that promote clear skin. One of these qualities is the ability to protect your digestive tract from parasites and fungus (that constantly stress and damage your liver, one of the most important organs responsible for the healing process of your skin). 4. Shaving with Four-In-One Razor blades Never use these four-in-one razor blades when shaving especially if you have large bumps and painful cysts. The reason is that blades that guarantee the “closest shave” will cause severe irritation and will damage your skin. Always use a single blade when having “live” acne. 5. Picking Your Skin (popping and squeezing included) Never, never and ever touch, pick or squeeze your blemishes, regardless of how temping and “safe” it may seem. By doing this unprofessionally, you make your acne worse by aggravating your existing inflammation and pushing the puss deeper and wider into the skin. There are in fact very effective and safe ways of dealing with small whiteheads or blackheads but I would strongly recommend leaving that to the professionals if you care for your skin and wish to prevent further scarring. 6. Taking excessive amounts of Vitamin A Vitamin A from natural sources (green leafy vegetables and beta carotene fruit and veggies) and in small quantities can significantly enhance the healing process of your skin, but when taken excessively it can seriously damage your liver and cause severe health problems and side effects. source
