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Acne is typically the result of dead skin cells blocking the skin's pores, leading to a build up of sebum in the pores. Bacteria then attack the accumulated sebum, and as the body fights the bacteria, you end up with inflammation and itching. The simple solution to an acne problem is to simply apply an over the counter anti pimple cream. The reason why people generally have the idea that anti pimple creams don't work is that they expect the cream to get rid of a pimple that has already appeared. This almost never happens - once a pimple has formed, it will take its own time to go away. Home remedies such as applying a small amount of toothpaste are sometimes effective as they dry up the pimple, but such remedies are not advisable as they can irritate or burn the skin, leaving you with a scar. Once a pimple has appeared, it is best to leave it alone - don't even scratch or rub it. What an anti pimple cream does is ensure that dead skin cells do not accumulate on the skin's surface, thus reducing the chances of pores getting blocked. Some creams also reduce the amount of bacteria on the skin, and may even reduce inflammation to some extent. However, make sure that your cream contains benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, as these ingredients are essential for the cream to be effective. You should also note that you will not see results overnight or even within a week. In fact, it may take a month or more for your skin to stop breaking out; in severe cases, it could take up to a year for your skin to be pimple-free.
Acne scars are best prevented - once they have appeared, it is extremely difficult to get rid of them. If the scars you have are only dark spots, then you don't need to worry. These are actually spots of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and will disappear within a few weeks. True scars however - lumps of scar tissue or pits in the skin where tissue has been lost - last much longer. If you have such scars, you can try applying vitamin E oil to them daily, but in most cases, this is not particularly effective. If the scars really bother you, you can consult a skin specialist about options such as dermabrasion and laser treatment, however it is best to leave them alone.
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