Warning, pimple alarm!
Luise Heine has been an editor at since 2012. The qualified biologist studied in Regensburg and Brisbane (Australia) and gained experience as a journalist in television, in the Ratgeber-Verlag and in a print magazine. In addition to her work at , she also writes for children, for example for the Stuttgarter Kinderzeitung, and has her own breakfast blog, “Kuchen zum Frühstück”.
More posts by Luise Heine All content is checked by medical journalists.Growing up is great - if only it weren't for the pimple thing! Many girls and boys suffer from blemishes, especially during puberty. The mean thing: While some only sprout a red stipple here and there, others look like a crumble cake. Here you can find out what helps against pimples and the like and what role hormones play in this.
From blackheads to pimples
At the beginning of a pimple there is usually a blackhead. These are the small black dots that you can see in the pores when you look very closely at your skin in the mirror. They arise when the sebum glands produce too much sebum and at the same time the horny cells at the exits of the sebum glands multiply. If sebum and horny cells stick together, the outlet of the gland clogs and turns dark.
Blackheads are typically seen in the particularly productive areas, i.e. forehead, nose and chin. But you can also find them on the back, neck or chest. In the as yet inconspicuous blackheads, skin infections can form. Especially with closed ones that continue to grow under the skin. Because then the acne-causing bacteria that live in the glands and feed on sebum find a lot of food and can multiply wonderfully.
The immune system reacts to the invading bacteria and tries to make them flee. The visible result: reddening of the skin, small bumps and finally pus - in short, a pimple. If the pimples spread particularly nasty, it is called acne.
Hormones pumping
The sebum production is influenced by hormones. They really get going during puberty. Basically, the whole body is rebuilt - and the hormonal system rebalanced. The sex hormones in particular play an important role: estrogen, which is mainly produced by women, and testosterone, which men produce in large quantities. Testosterone production in particular stimulates the sebum glands, which suddenly run at full speed - even in girls.
Helpful against pimples
Do not squeeze out blackheads and pimples yourself!
It actually seems logical: if you don't want to have pimples, you have to get rid of the blackheads. Expressing it, especially with dirty hands, is not a good idea: If this is not done professionally, you can push the bacteria into the skin and thus lay the foundation for a wonderful pimple. That's why you should stay away from blackheads - and even more so from pimples. It is better to use an exfoliant regularly. The fine abrasive particles sand the plugs of sebum - and the sebum can flow off again.
However, if you already have pimples, exfoliating can make things worse by spreading the pus bacteria on your face. You should leave their removal to experts - for example, the beautician.
Wash your face - but do it right!
It is best to clean your skin with "pH-neutral" cleaning agents. That means a pH of about 5.5. It corresponds to the natural pH value of the skin and therefore does not irritate it additionally. However, too frequent washing is also problematic: It destroys the skin's natural protective acid mantle and can even make blemished skin worse.
Keep germ load low
Anyone struggling with pimples and the like should try to keep bacteria away from their face as much as possible. For example, it helps to use two different towels for your face and hands. In addition, you should definitely not fiddle with or nibble on your pimples. If in doubt, it will make it worse and you may even get scars.
Food for the skin
Yes, fries and burgers are delicious - and eating less fat and sugar isn't a secret weapon against pimples, either. Paying attention to what you eat can definitely influence whether and how the stipules develop. By the way, you should also avoid cigarettes. They worsen the blood circulation and constrict the vessels, so that the skin is less able to defend itself against bacteria.
Covering up cosmetically relieves the soul
Various products from the industry help to visually cover up the uncomfortable face. You can safely use antibacterial concealer pens, creams and the like - but make sure that you remove them from the skin before going to bed. It is also best to use oil-free make-up or water-based creams to avoid clogging the sebum glands.
Special care products
The trade advertises numerous care products that should help you to make the annoying pimples disappear almost overnight. Some, as Öko-Test found, however, do not work at all or - worse - even irritate the skin.
How effective a product is usually depends on certain ingredients that fight bacteria and consequently improve inflammatory reactions. Some time ago, Stiftung Warentest took a close look at a few anti-pimple products and found that they can help to a certain extent. Don't expect miracles - it can take several weeks to see results. And the pimples can get worse at first. The testers at least stated that the skin “felt better” after using the remedies.
By the way: Even if it feels like this, the sun doesn't heal pimples. Anti-pimple agents can even make the skin more sensitive to UV light. And toothpaste is not ideal either: it can irritate the skin and "plaster up" the pimple so that it cannot empty itself.
If in doubt, to the specialist
In the case of severe acne, there is also a lot to be said for consulting a dermatologist. He can help you with treatment. For example, many girls find it helpful to get a pill. The daily dose of hormones also helps keep the blooming facial landscape in check.
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