Dixya Poudel

Ever since my teenage years, I have suffered from acne. As a teenager, I was quite self-conscious and frankly dreaded every pimple that would manifest on my face. I would try all sorts of remedies- from allopathic to herbal and ayurvedic medicines. But to no avail. Now that I am in my thirties I am still plagued by acne, although it isn’t as severe.
The truth is we all want to look presentable and our skin conveys a lot about ourselves. Healthy and beautiful skin is likely to make us agreeable to new acquaintances. And especially the young generations are much invested in their looks.

Self-conscious
They are more prone to be self-conscious about their appearances. I recall my teenage years when I would concoct a variety of face masks for my skin. I would pore through ayurvedic books looking for herbal remedies. I admit to having tried numerous herbal remedies along with allopathic treatments without any lasting results.
I would envy those with clear skin and even pray for this affliction to be over. And I would wonder if people noticed my skin ravaged with acne. Did they notice the condition of my skin? Did it make me less likeable? It certainly diminished my confidence and self-esteem. And as a shy girl, it added to my insecurities.
Now I am less self-conscious but still, worry about the occasional bursts of pimples. I scour through cosmetics and beauty products that promise flawless skin but once I remove the cosmetics, the acne is still there. Lately, I have become a sort of resigned to my skin condition that has betrayed my vanity. The years-long battle with this skin condition has left my skin with scars that seem reluctant to vanish. And the scars aren't just physical; there are psychological scars of acne as well.
Our skin is one of our most identifiable factors. Thus, it is not a surprise that people all over the world buy cosmetics in droves to beautify their skin. It is certainly true that the world glorifies beauty and holds it in high esteem.
Meanwhile, cosmetic manufacturers earn millions by selling products that promise dewy skin. Dermatologists make a living by prescribing treatments to cure skin diseases such as acne. Then some advertisements lure people into buying cosmetics that claim to make skin flawless.
Most people find the solution to their remedies through a certain treatment. But for me, it has remained elusive. These days I just keep my skincare to a minimum hoping that my skin doesn't break out erratically. And there are good skin days as well for which I am always grateful.
Acne forms when our skin follicle is clogged with dead skin cells, sebum and bacteria. Bacteria then multiply leading to inflammation and infection which lead to the formation of acne. It mostly occurs on the face, chest, shoulders, back and neck. Hormonal changes escalate the formations of acne due to over secretion of sebum which further clogs the skin follicles resulting in inflammation.
The most commonly occurring form of acne is acne vulgaris that affects 70 to 80 per cent of all teenagers. Dermatologists adamantly warn not to pop out pimples since it only aggravates the skin. And it is essential to maintain good hygiene to curb acne. Likewise, it is suggested to wash your face at least two times a day. For best results, face wash with salicylic acid is preferable to subdue acne.
Topical antibiotic gels help as well. And it is advised not to touch skin since it spreads the bacteria further. When out in the sun, an umbrella and sunscreen formulated for acne-prone skin is a must. It is further suggested to eat green vegetables and seasonal fruits along with a nutritious diet and mostly avoid junk foods and fizzy, caffeinated drinks. Not to stress about the breakouts and blemishes. But I do admit that it is easier said than done.

Adhering to Right Care
It is said that beauty is only skin deep. Yet, we must take a modicum of care so that when we age, our skin retains its glow and health. It is vital to adhere to the right skincare so that we gain an upper hand over pesky acne.
Now that I am in the third decade of my life, the breakouts occur less but it hasn't vanished altogether. At times, I feel frustrated. But then I tell myself that I am much more than my skin. Over the years, my skin condition might have threatened to create insecurities and self-esteem issues but these days I take care of my skin without sweating over every single zit. I have found that with age, comes a sort of maturity and acceptance which I welcome wholeheartedly.

(Poudel is a freelance writer)