One of the most prevalent skin issues is facial pimples. In India, over 10 million people are affected by pimples, so rest assured that you are not alone in your battle.
Although pimples are a common occurrence that almost everyone experiences at some point in their lives, they can have a significant impact on a person’s self-esteem. Studies have shown that acne and pimples can lead to negative self-esteem in individuals of all ages, especially women and girls, who are more susceptible to severe acne.
But there’s no need to lose hope or self-esteem because there are many ways to combat these skin eruptions. Simple yet effective methods like staying hydrated, resisting the urge to touch your face, keeping your skin moisturized, and washing your face can all help limit the number of breakouts you experience.
This article will tell you everything you need to know about pimples, their reasons, and solutions.
Explaining Pimples
Pimples are tiny bumps that appear on the skin, typically on the face, back, chest, or shoulders. They can be pustules, blisters, or papules and are usually inflamed, red, and painful. Some people call them spots or zits. Pimples can be filled with pus or water. In most cases, they are a sign of a skin condition or disease called Acne Vulgaris or simply Acne.
Research indicates that Acne Vulgaris is prevalent during adolescence and can affect more than 80% of teenagers. Additionally, men and women are both susceptible to developing pimples even after the age of 25 years, with 3% of men and 12% of women being impacted.
Several factors can cause pimples, including hormonal changes, genetic susceptibility, inadequate water intake, smoking, alcohol consumption, pore-clogging, comedogenic products, and dandruff. Later in the article, we will discuss each of these factors in detail to help you understand which one might be influencing you.
Before we dive into that, let’s address a more pressing question
Causes of Pimples
Pimples are more common in certain people than others. Understanding the triggers of pimples might help you manage them because some of them are simple to avoid. Knowing these triggers and risk factors can help us adjust our lifestyle and develop some healthy habits to help us fight acne.
Hormonal Changes
You may have heard about the link between hormones and these unwelcome discharges frequently. You must first grasp what sebum is in order to better comprehend this.
The sebaceous glands secrete sebum, an oleaginous, greasy material. Sebum aids in securing moisture and preventing dryness, but too much of it can clog pores and make the skin greasy. Every portion of the human body contains these glands, except the lips, soles of the feet, and the palms, which are typically connected to hair follicles.
The androgen hormone, specifically the male sex hormones like testosterone, regulates sebum secretion. Androgens flood the body as puberty begins, increasing the amount of hormones that secrete sebum. Upon reaching puberty, a significant number of individuals tend to develop acne. In males, these hormones are stabilized and regulated after puberty, but in females, they are not since monthly menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and even menopause induce variations in these hormones’ release, which causes many to experience pimple-related disorders all the time.
Water Intake
There are several benefits to keeping your body hydrated at all times, and one of them is a decrease in acne. A spike in oil secretion, which leads to the formation of pimples, may occur when a person has extremely dry skin as a result of dehydration.
This can be avoided by drinking enough water, which also removes toxins and dangerous microorganisms from the body and skin. It produces a dazzling shine and keeps the skin moisturized. So, drink at least 8 glasses or two liters of water every day to avoid taking this powerful yet simple beverage for granted. Here is some advice to help you if you find it difficult to continue drinking water when the weather becomes colder.
Genetic Susceptibility
Numerous research contend that your family history and the genes you have to affect your propensity for acne. There are high odds that you will experience acne if it runs in your family, and you are unfortunate in that your genes did not modify.
On the other side, despite not having a family history, some gene changes may potentially be a cause of recurrent pimple outbreaks. Acne is another typical symptom of PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome), a condition that is known to run in families. Additionally, if both of your parents had acne, the likelihood of developing acne was higher than if only one of them had.
Smoking and Alcohol Consumption
Smoking causes a particular type of “non-inflammatory acne,” often known as clogged pores and blackheads. Did you know that exposure to nicotine and other substances causes a greater rise in skin cell turnover (skin cell regeneration)? As a result, the blood vessels tighten, less oxygen is delivered to the skin, and an oxidation process is sparked, affecting how much sebum the skin produces.
Contrarily, alcohol does not immediately contribute to acne or pimple outbreaks. However, alcohol raises blood sugar levels, which sets off a hormonal domino effect that leads androgen levels to soar, which in turn brings on acne.
How To Get Rid Of Pimples Naturally?
In addition to moisturizing and nourishing the hair, oils in Ayurveda can also help to promote hair growth. Certain oils like castor oil, coconut oil, and almond oil contain nutrients that stimulate hair follicles and promote healthy hair growth. Regular use of these oils can help to strengthen hair strands, prevent breakage, and promote longer, thicker hair.
After learning about the various types of pimples and their triggers/causes, you might be curious about natural ways to eliminate them. However, the answer isn’t straightforward, as some severe acne cases need medical treatment. Nonetheless, Ayurvedic remedies, a balanced diet, sufficient water intake, and a healthy lifestyle can be beneficial in reducing pimples. These remedies are ideal for individuals with mild pimples or acne.
Amla (Gooseberry) Juice and Amla Powder
Vitamin C-rich amla is well known for being a natural blood purifier. It is regarded as an antioxidant powerhouse that also reduces inflammation.
Amla juice can be consumed as a cleansing beverage due to its highly praised exceptional skin-clearing abilities. Cut three to four amlas into pieces, add half a cup of water and a teaspoon of salt, and pulse well using a mixer or blender to make amla juice. You could consume this drink once or twice each week.
A wonderful face pack may be made with amla powder and water. It may be applied to the face for 20 minutes, after which it must be thoroughly washed off with plain water. It would increase collagen production while also reducing acne and lightening blemishes.
Neem
Since ancient times, neem has been widely utilized in natural remedies. They have antifungal, antibacterial, and antiseptic qualities. Neem powder and water are combined to form a thick paste, which is then applied to the affected region or the locations where acne or pimples are present. Let it air dry. 20 minutes later, wash it off with warm water. Your skin tone will balance out and the extent of the breakout will be less as a result.
As an alternative, you can treat zits on the spot using organic cold-pressed neem oil. Neem oil routinely applied to the face is a fantastic long-term acne therapy, according to studies. By eradicating acne-causing germs, tightening the pores, and balancing skin tone, neem oil helps to prevent further breakouts.
Basil or Tulsi
Since ancient times, tulsi has been utilised as a medicine. It is incredibly well-known for both its immune-boosting and skin-nourishing properties. Due to its antifungal characteristics, tulsi prevents the development of acne. To use this leaf in your skincare regimen, blend some tulsi and neem leaves together. Then, add 1 teaspoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice and combine the ingredients to form a paste. Apply this to the area that is afflicted. Once it has dried, rinse with plain water and pat yourself dry. This pack will clear the pores, eliminate dirt and pollutants, and prevent and treat acne breakouts.
Use natural face cleansers using Neem, Tulsi, and Tea Tree Oil as their main constituents to benefit from Neem and Tulsi’s anti-acne properties. One such cleanser is the Anti Acne Cleansing Foam from Kama Ayurveda.
Watermelons
Antioxidants are abundant in watermelons. Both skin regeneration and cell healing are supported by them. It helps to cleanse the skin by increasing the generation of nitric oxide. So by all means, consume them; they not only taste great but also help to decrease oil production, which lessens acne problems. They could also be used topically and kept on the afflicted region overnight to promote healing.
Aloe Vera
Antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial activities are abundant in aloe vera. You can extract aloe vera gel and apply it directly to the affected area or to the entire face for about 10 minutes. Then, thoroughly wash your face with plain water. Aloe vera can break down the bacterial cell wall, which can aid to clean pores and reduce the growth of bacteria. Additionally, it lessens the occurrence of spot formation.
Turmeric With Rose Water
Toxins can be removed from the pores by turmeric. It reduces bacterial outbreaks since it has antifungal and antibacterial characteristics. Rose Water and Turmeric can be applied all over the face or specifically to the afflicted area. Rinse the face with water after it has finished drying fully, then pat it dry. If one has problems with dry skin, honey may be used in place of rosewater.
Ending Note:
The problem of pimples is quite common and fixable. You can get rid of pimples without even using the harmful chemical based products and medicine. Pure herbal treatment, use of more herbs for your skin care can show great results.