Beauty

How To Get Rid Of Back Acne For Good

Dealing with zits on your face is one thing but back acne is another level of…

Published

4 years ago

February 28, 2017

Dealing with zits on your face is one thing but back acne is another level of annoying. At least when you’re wrestling with an angry blemish in your T-zone you can see what you’re doing. Not so when pimples pop up on your back. It’s hard enough just getting soap back there, applying zit cream between your shoulder blades is like a pulled muscle waiting to happen. And it might not work anyway, because the skin on your back doesn’t respond well to many of the acne treatments you use on your face. Though acne and back acne are caused by the same things, you need to treat them differently. Acne is caused by increased oil production, bacteria, pore blockage, and irregular skin cell turnover. Sebaceous glands in the skin produce oil, which can collect along with dead skin cells in the pores, plugging them up and giving bacteria a perfect breeding ground, all of which can lead to redness, whiteheads, blackheads, and sometimes infection. Hormones can play a large role, which is why you might break out more around your period, for instance. And if you’ve noticed that your breakouts pop up in similar places as other family members, that could be acne’s genetic components at work.

While the root causes of acne are basically the same in both places, the skin on your face is very different from the skin on your back, which has its upsides and downsides. The skin on the face has more blood supply, which helps acne heal faster and reduces scarring. But the skin on the back is much thicker than the skin on the face. That means that the back is more resilient, and can handle stronger treatments that would be considered too harsh for the face. The ingredients doctors most commonly recommend for body acne are generally the same as what you’d use on your face, but the products themselves are usually stronger. Salicylic acid is attracted to the oil in the sebaceous glands; and once there, it helps to loosen the sticky cells and oil to clear clogged hair follicles. Benzoyl peroxide is a topical antibiotic that will work to kill bacteria and clean pores. Salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide products with concentrations over 2 percent can dry out the skin on the face. But since the skin on the back is a bit thicker and less sensitive, you can use formulas with higher percentages. Any benzoyl peroxide above 5 percent is unnecessary; it’s no more effective but causes more side effects.

Because back acne tends to cover a large swath of skin, and because it’s harder to reach your back to apply spot treatments, many products will come in the form of body washes and face scrubs that you can put on in the shower. It is recommended to leave these cleansers on for a few minutes before washing them off to give the products time to truly treat the acne. In addition, try using products with retinol, which helps loosen up dead skin cells and regulate cell turnover. Retinoids not only treat the acne you have today, they also change the way the cells turn over, reducing your development of acne tomorrow. To make sure you don’t miss a spot when applying topical creams and gels, it is recommended that you use an applicator to help you get to those hard to reach areas. Sulfur is another lesser known ingredient that works by killing acne-causing bacteria. Choose a cleanser with the active ingredient, rather than creams, many of which can have a rotten egg smell.

Back acne scars can be worse than acne scars on the face. Pimples on the back are more likely to scar than those on the face. The face will heal better because it has better skin cell turnover, more healing potential, and better blood supply. What’s more, the back is more prone to getting keloids, which are raised, overgrown scars. Antioxidant-rich formulas are key to getting the redness left behind to fade quickly. It’s important to start treatment right away. When scars have healed but are still red or pink, it is recommended to use topical antioxidants twice daily. Remember to apply morning and night, and you’ll be ready to rock that backless dress in no time.

When it comes to prevention, here are some pro tips, and rookie mistakes to avoid. Just like on your face, there are bad habits that can lead to breakouts on your back. You wash your face when it gets dirty and sweaty, right? For the same reason, you’ll want to change out of your sports bra soon after a workout, so that the sweaty clothing against your back doesn’t become a breeding ground for bacteria. In general wearing tight clothing with body-hugging fabrics can trap natural oils and shedding skin in pores, which can lead to breakouts. If you’re prone to back acne, you might want to avoid tight fitting fabrics, and instead opt for breathable materials that wick moisture and keep your skin as dry as possible. The way you wash your hair can have an impact on back acne. While the oils in hair treatments might be good for nourishing your hair, they can be bad news for the skin on your back. That’s why you should rinse conditioner off to the side instead of letting it run down your back. Also, try waiting until you’ve completed all of your hair treatments before washing your body. That way you can wash off any oily residue, clearing the way for your acne treatments to do their thing.

Beauty

Black Designers Celebrated During the Milan Fashion Week

Published

5 days ago

October 20, 2020

Tymber Aldaine

Five designers were part of the Black Lives Matter campaign in the Italian fashion group of the event. A name inspired by the international movement trending worldwide as a form of protest against racial injustice. However, due to the pandemic, the event was one of the first fashion week’s virtual shows. The digital event named We are made in Italy was filmed at Milan’s grand Palazzo Clerici and hosted the summer/spring 2021 collections of Joy Meribel, Karim Daoudi, Mokudu Fall, Claudia Gisele Ntsama, and Fabiola Manirakiza. As Manirakiza was initially from Burundi, Mokodu Fall and Claudia Giselle Ntsama grew up with a family of tailors from Cameroon. At the same time, Karim Daoudi was born in Morocco, and Joy Meribel grew up in Nigeria. The five designers were mentored by the only black member of the Italian fashion council, Stella Jean. The Italian-Haitian was also campaigning against racism in the industry. According to Jean, Made in Italy used to represent itself around the world as a white concept. However, now it is no longer like this as the new Italy doesn’t want to be part of it.

Going against the grain

According to the Italian high fashion black designers, they believe that it is essential to show the world that Made in Italy doesn’t correspond to any particular color. They want to abolish the prejudice of being Italian means being white. They claim that this world we live in is a world that only a few know of its existence, and even fewer are able to enjoy it.

However, since the show was dedicated to black Italian designers of Milan’s fashion week for the first time, it’s debut was the marking point in the official calendar. A strong move of the organizers in the hope of highlighting the lack of diversity in the industry.

According to Stella Jean, it is quite depressing to think that most Italian brands enjoyed by worldwide attention have a mass amount of influence on billions of people who don’t even realize that an entire generation in Italy is asking for a voice and space.

Jean demands that the sector governing body support black designers and have called out Italian fashion houses to confront racism.

Making a permanent mark

Some may even say that predominantly, Italy has shown blindness to horrifying racing hiding underneath its skin.

Jean claims that it is unfair that some people remain invisible. Italian brands tend to pretend not to see them and give most of their attention in an inappropriate way towards the Black Lives Matter movements outside of Italy. Instead, they would focus on things happening in the United States while ignoring things happening in their own country. She believes that Italy has a serious racial problem, and if we don’t open the wound now to heal it, it will never heal.

Beauty

Beauty Care Tips Every Woman Must Know

Published

1 month ago

September 13, 2020

Tymber Aldaine

Every woman is beautiful in her own right. She does her routine with exacting femininity and grace that only makes her more attractive, not only to others, but also to herself. It is essential for every woman to know how to take care of herself—physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually—and cultivate a healthy self-image in the process.

For a woman, being beautiful is undeniably an added bonus. This does not, however, disregard the necessity of nurturing other intrinsic aspects including mental, emotional, and spiritual health. Nonetheless, it is essential to establish certain beauty tricks to maintain her looks.

If you are a woman, here are several beauty tips for you:

Green Tea is a Beautifying Agent

Green tea isn’t merely used to promote weight loss and detox. Use green tea to beautify your skin, as well. Used tea bags can serve a secondary purpose as they can be placed under the eyes to lighten those dark circles below the eyes. Green tea can also reduce swelling and eradicate those fine lines.

Removing Lipstick with Sweet Almond Oil

Sweet almond oil can be used to get rid of your lipstick. Dip a ball of cotton in some sweet almond oil and gently rub your lips with it. It’s a cheap makeup remover that can be used to remove all traces of makeup on your face, as well.

Avoid Cosmetics with Comedogenic Ingredients

Comedogenic ingredients in cosmetics clog your pores and irritate your skin. Acne and blemish concealers, for instance, might work well as they cover those dark spots on your skin. However, they can also further exacerbate sensitive skin and even clog your pores. Find alternatives that do not contain comedogenic substances like acetylated lanolin alcohol and ascorbyl palmitate instead.

Vaseline to Shape Your Eyebrows

Vaseline or its generic name, petroleum jelly, has long been used for a variety of purposes. You can also use it to shape your eyebrows. Dab a bit of Vaseline on a Q-tip and use it to groom your eyebrows and even have thicker brows in time.

Coconut Oil before Washing Your Hair

Coconut oil has many benefits. Massage a tablespoon-full of coconut oil in your hair 10 minutes before shampooing. It helps to thicken your hair strands, deepen its color, and even soften your hair.

Patch Tests for Each New Product

Before using new cosmetic products, make sure to do a patch test first. For hair coloring agents, dab a bit of the product behind your ears and leave it there for 24 hours. Do the same for new lotions and creams. If any allergic reaction develops, stop using the product.

Summary

It is highly essential for a woman to continue and improve her regular beauty routine. Physical beauty contributes to self-image and self-worth. Nevertheless, it is equally vital to check new products for substances that may only prove harmful for you in the long run. If at all, consult an expert or read about the different chemicals contained in your cosmetics before even using them on yourself.

Beauty

8 Ways to Prevent Acne Breakouts

Published

2 months ago

September 3, 2020

Tymber Aldaine

There is nothing more annoying than having a massive zit on an important milestone of your life, such a big date or your first day of classes. Acne typically occurs when your skin’s pores are blocked with oil, dead skin, or bacteria. To get rid of acne and have healthy, beautiful, clear skin, read on to the tips below to prevent acne breakouts.

Ways to Have an Acne-Free Face

Wash Your Face Before You Sleep

Even though it is mighty tempting just to go to sleep after a long day, make sure that you form the habit of washing your face before you sleep! Your face is exposed to all types of dirt, dust, pollution, smoke, germs, and bacteria during the day. Make sure you wash your face clean before sleeping to prevent dirt build-up in your pores so you can wake up with a fresh and clean look.

Use Moisturizer

Yes, use moisturizer even for people who have an oily face! Having dry skin is a breeding ground for acne to grow, so make sure that you moisturize your face at least once a day to keep your face smooth and clear.

Wash Thoroughly

While building the habit of washing regularly is great, make sure that you wash your face thoroughly so that there will be no leftover suds or soap that can potentially block your pores and cause acne. Make sure that your face is smooth and silky and not soapy, so you can be assured that there is no leftover product on your face.

Be Gentle

When washing your face, consider doing soft and gentle taps as compared to scrubbing your skin raw. Excessive scrubbing can further irritate your skin, which can then be vulnerable to acne spurts. When using your hands to wash your face, make sure your hands are clean and dirt-free. Otherwise, you will just be transferring the dirt on your hand to your face.

Wash Your Face When You Wake Up

Product in your hair can transfer to your pillowcase and blanket, which in turn, can be transferred to your face as you sleep. Make it a habit to wash your face when you wake up so that the dirt and grime while you sleep will be washed off your face.

Clean Your Phone

You are always touching your phone, which makes it one of the hotspots for bacteria and germs to breed in. You can clean your phone by getting wet wipes and wiping off the screen. In this way, when you call someone, there won’t be any germs transferring from your phone to your face.

Do Not Touch Your Face

While it can be physically impossible to stop touching your face, especially when you watch a movie or when you listen to your teacher’s discussion, making a conscious effort to stop touching your face will do wonders in lessening the amount of dirt and germs in your face!

Hairstyle Matters

Certain hairstyles would irritate your face that can be prone to breakouts. One of these hairstyles is bangs. Stylish as it may seem, the frequent touching of your hair to your skin can promote more acne, especially in the forehead area. If you noticed more zits in your forehead when you had bangs, consider having another hairstyle.

Hopefully, the tips above can help you have clearer, smooth skin in no time!