Pimples s.o.s

The rude shock in the mirror You wake up in the morning, stumble to the basement and wash your sleepy face. As you wipe it dry with a towel, you catch a glimpse of yourself in the mirror, and let out a loud groan. No, you're not having a bad face day. It's something much worse than that. It's the (shudder!) biggest darned pimple you've ever seen in your life! Ugh! Where did you go wrong?  What causes a Pimple? A number of things can cause a pimple:  An improper diet that includes too many soft drinks, spicy and fried food and snacks with high iodine content Pores clogged by dirt or pollution Stress Hormonal changes due to menstruation Genes - blame it on the folks Prevention is better than cure:  Wash Right Wash your face regularly, not more than 3 times a day, unless you're living in a highly humid and/or polluted city which requires more washing to unclog pores. The best way to wash the face is to first lather your face-wash in your hands, apply it to wet skin and rinse. Pat dry. Scrubbing only aggravates the skin and causes further problems.  Cleansing Routine Cleanse tone and moisturize your face twice a day. Don't skip the moisturizing step even if you have oily skin - just use an oil-free moisturizer. Exposure to the elements Avoid exposing your skin to the harsh elements. If you are going for a long drive, roll up your window slightly, so your face doesn't get plummeted by the wind, especially in polluted towns.  Water Drink plenty of water to clean your system. Impure blood and poor circulation is one of the primary causes of acne.  Eat Right Unless you are allergic to certain foods, eating junk food doesn't lead to the formation of pimples. But over eating certain foods, especially heating foods like chocolates and mangoes, can lead to an overnight zit congregation.  Get rid of that zit - ice baby! No! Don't burst it! That's the worst thing you can do! It may solve your problem temporarily so you won't go to that dinner with a large white bud blossoming on your mug, but the scar will remain for a long, long time. Instead, try wrapping an ice cube in a thin muslin cloth and place it for about three minutes on a pimple that is just forming. It kills the growth of the pimple. Believe it, it is true. If a pimple does burst accidentally (or intentionally!), wash the area with soap. Then reach for a lemon slice and squeeze ten drops into a cotton ball. Keep it on the burst pimple for about 10 minutes. The scar will vanish.   Lime n' Lemony Lemon maintains the pH balance of skin, and it is a good idea to give your face a rinse of lemon water once a day. Just squeeze half a lemon into half a mug of water and splash it on your face. Rinse off the residue with regular water.