Author: Blake Helton
Source: ezinearticles.com
Acne is often associated with the face. In fact, acne can occur anywhere on your body. Body acne can actually become very severe and cause scarring. If you want to know how to get rid of whiteheads and other acne, the key is maintaining a healthy pore.
The various forms of acne occur when dirt, oil, bacteria, and other material clogs the hair follicle, or pore. The clogged pore becomes increasingly irritated as the hair grows. This may begin as a whitehead or blackhead. Eventually, an infection will set in. As the infection and irritation increases, it can escalate into severe papules, pustules, and cysts. This can leave serious and lasting scars.
Preventing this vicious cycle, including how to remove acne scars or even prevent them, means caring for the pore. Keeping the pore healthy will help you maintain clear skin. Since a pore is a hair follicle, the most important aspect of caring for your pore is by promoting healthy hair growth.
Shaving is one of the main reasons facial and body acne forms and escalates from whiteheads to scarring cysts. So, shaving habits are closely linked to how to get rid of whiteheads. Shaving agitates the surface of the pore and cuts the hair too close. The popular 3 and 4 blade razors can even cut the hair below the surface of the skin. This can increase scarring and cause existing acne to scar.
When the hair is cut too short it allows extra material to clog the pore. Blackheads and whiteheads can form more easily and progress more quickly. Furthermore, it can cause the hair to become “ingrown” below the skin’s surface, causing immediate inflammation and infection. If you must shave, the best way is to use a single blade that will not cut the hair so short.
If you must shave skin that is already suffering from acne, there are steps you must take to prevent further issues and to reduce acne scars. Before you shave, make sure you condition the skin with a warm, moist cloth. Follow this with a non-oily moisturizing shaving cream. After shaving, immediately rinse your skin again with warm water. Make sure the skin is thoroughly clean and then apply your topical acne treatment. This will help the skin heal more quickly from the damage of the shave and you will prevent acne.
In addition to shaving, you should also nurture the hair as it grows out. This will keep the hair strong, and resist the material that would clog the pore. In areas where you are acne prone, you should check the hair growth regularly. Watch carefully for any hair beginning to curl under or become ingrown. If you see one, you should use a toothpick or similar item to gently uncurl the hair and guide it to grow naturally and healthily.
The primary purpose of the pore is to moisturize the skin and allow the hair to grow from the follicle. Unfortunately, this process does not always go smoothly and you are left with acne and acne scars. If you can keep your pore healthy and functioning properly, you will be able to reduce and even eliminate your acne problems.
To learn more about whiteheads, click here: Get Rid of Whiteheads
To read more about acne scars, click here: How To Remove Acne Scars