Acne is a very common problem among men and women, especially those who are young adults or are in there adolescent years. Acne occurs on several body parts such as the face, neck, shoulders and as odd as it may seem, also on the chin. Chin acne is more common among women than with men. It’s because this type of acne is perpetrated by hormonal fluctuations. When women menstruate, hormonal changes occur and thus they produce excessive androgens which also bring about unwanted generation of sebum in the skin. When sebum combines with dead skin cells and try to get out of the skin, the pores become breeding ground for bacteria, thus acne occurs.

Other than hormonal irregularities chin acne is also brought about by stress, environmental toxins, lack of sleep and an unhealthy diet. If you’re also used to applying make up, then you are even more prone to getting the acne. Here are ways in which you can treat and prevent acne on your chin for good:

Treatment

Antimicrobial soaps- You should always clean your face and get rid of the day’s dirt and bacteria that you accumulate, that way your chin will have less filth, microbes and thus, less acne.

Oral antibiotics- Antibiotics such as erythromycin reduce the population of propionibacteria acnes, and also unclog the pores. This is usually prescribed up to 6 months.

Oral contraceptives – Birth control pills may also treat body and facial acne because it produces an active ingredient estrogen that will inhibit the production of androgen in the body and thus, less oil will also be generated. So you’ll be left with flawless skin.

Topical antimicrobials and retinoids – These topical ointments, gels and creams such as benzoyl peroxide and adapalene reduce the inflammation of acne outbreaks and kill the bacteria on the skin.

Prevention

Proper diet – to prevent chin acne, you should have a healthy diet that provides  your skin with lots of vitamins and re-hydrates it. Drinks lots of water, fresh juices and eat a lot of fruits and vegetables.

Relax – Stress causes pressure on the skin too, and exacerbates hormonal fluctuations. So it’s very important to unwind and get enough sleep.

Exercise – In case you forgot, the best way to get rid of your body’s toxins is to sweat. If you exercise regularly you get to expel unwanted fats and lipids including oil. A sauna bath will also do. It warms up your skin so it unclogs your pores and let out all the unwanted dirt.

Knowing how to get rid of pimples means knowing what causes them in the first place. The American Academy of Dermatology lists four major causes for acne: clogged pores, oil, bacteria and inflammation. When excess oil gets trapped beneath the surface of your skin, your pores get clogged. A bacteria called P. acnes grows in clogged pores, which makes bumps of inflammation– pimples.

What does that tell us about how to get rid of pimples? That it’s all about prevention. You have to keep oil from building up on your skin. Washing with a gentle, oil-free cleanser twice a day is a good start. Washing too often, using harsh cleansers or scrubbing your skin can aggravate zits, though, so be nice to your skin. Keeping your hair clean can also help get rid of pimples. Keep oily strands from brushing against your face, neck or shoulders. If you wear makeup, look for noncomedogenic formulas and be sure to remove it every night before bed.

The best way to get rid of pimples may be to prevent them from forming, but what if that’s not possible? Some people are predisposed to oily skin and bad breakouts. If good hygiene doesn’t help, an over-the-counter treatment might. A myriad of brands exist to help with clearing up bad skin. Most of them are topical lotions or creams– you apply them directly to your skin. Over-the-counter acne treatments work by killing bacteria and drying oil. Some may cause your skin to peel.

So what if you have great hygiene, have tried every known over-the-counter acne product in the universe, and you still can’t figure out how to get rid of pimples? It’s time to see a dermatologist. Severe acne can sap your confidence and scar your face if left untreated. A good dermatologist can prescribe stronger medicine to fight the oil and bacteria on your skin. He or she can also recommend other treatments that might help– things like chemical peels, cyst draining, dermabrasion or antibiotics.

Don’t let bad skin get you down: get rid of it instead. It may take a while, but there’s no reason you can’t have the kind of pimple-free skin you deserve.