Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!americast.com!americast.com!americast-post Newsgroups: americast.twt.life From: americast-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: americast-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: SOME 'CURES' BOOMERANG Date: Tue, 3 Nov 92 15:19:55 EST Message-ID: \SE E;LIFE;WAY OF LIFE \SS (WS) \HD SOME 'CURES' BOOMERANG \BY Lori Darvas \CR SCRIPPS HOWARD NEWS SERVICE The drugstore shelves are testimony to the number of cleansing agents and acne medications available. But professionals believe some of those treatments hurt more than they help. Pam Botero, a licensed clinical aesthetician with the Skin Therapy Center of Naples, Fla., says such alcohol-based products as astringents can have an adverse effect. The alcohol will dry out the skin - temporarily, Ms. Botero says. But the skin isn't stupid. It's going to sense that it's dried out, and it's going to compensate by sending yet more oil to the surface. And you don't want that. "What they need to do is, they need to find something that's not going to dry out the surface," Ms. Botero says. So you want to find a neutral cleanser, something that doesn't have a strong drying agent. And you want to stay away from those wiry scrubbers and even washcloths, says Dr. Lisa Zack, a Naples dermatologist. "It's thought to break little cysts under the skin and make acne worse," Dr. Zack says. The best technique is skin against skin, Ms. Botero says. But remember to wash your hands before you wash your face. A clinical aesthetician can extract blackheads and whiteheads using professional equipment, Ms. Botero says. Fingernails don't cut it. Don't try to pop your own zits. "When they pick their own pimples and the skin is broken, and then they go out into the sun, they'll end up with a stain on their skin," Ms. Botero says. As far as over-the-counter products go, Ms. Botero believes in benzoil peroxide, which can get bacteria out of the pore. But use it only once a day, because it is a drying agent. Also, try to stay away from greasy sunscreen and make-up. If you don't know if it's oil-based, put a few drops in a glass of water and swish it around, Ms. Botero says. If it's oil-based, it will stay encapsulated and you shouldn't use it. While you're waiting for your face to clear up, you can tackle the problem mentally, says Margot Escott, a Naples counselor and former acne sufferer. First of all, the zit is a lot more apparent to you than it is to the world. "It looks much worse to them than it does to anybody else," Ms. Escott says. "The way you see yourself is not how the world sees you." She suggests trying visualization to help your self-esteem. Visualize yourself walking into a crowded room with confidence. Parents are wonderful people, but sometimes it's better to talk to someone who isn't a parent, Ms. Escott says. Parents will point out that you're always going to be beautiful to them. But you might be more influenced by someone who isn't related to you, someone who's gone through acne and can assure you that it's not the end of the world. Also, try to get out of yourself, Ms. Escott says. Find someone who is hurting more than you are. Do some volunteer work and start looking at the grand scheme of things. "It seems like it's the end of the world," she says, "but you've got to look at it in the context of how important really is it?" This article is copyright 1992 The Washington Times. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM