Everybody wants to look simply fabulous for the summer. You are probably contemplating experimenting with a new look, probably dying your hair, losing a little weight or gaining a few pounds. Some of you are probably planning to go out on a date or have a light fling with that cute guy next door, who you have been secretly ogling down. But oh my gosh, those awful spots and pimples are sure to break out due to the summer heat and cramp your style! You are worried that not only your face will be ruined but your back, that is sure to be exposed through your swim wear when you hit the beach. You are probably thinking that it's all going to be a disaster right? You feel like you are going to be held back from the entire extravaganza and become imprisoned by your own desires? Oh boy!

TEENage feels your pain, so here are a few rather simple methods of controlling that break-out and maintaining that blazing summer look.

Do's

1 Using gentle soaps, or a non-drying acne wash, such as Benzoyl Peroxide five per cent bar and Neutrogena to cleanse your face twice daily is a major start. If you are unable to afford these products, then you can always use lukewarm water to gentle wash your face with an unscented soap to avoid further inflammation.

2 Try to keep the skin as dry as possible. In so doing, avoid wearing tight-fitting clothing, which will generate heat and remove sweaty garments after working out. Find an oil-free sunscreen, such as Neutrogena or Coppertone Oil-free Sunscreen, or a mosturiser, that is compatible with your skin.
This will actually protect your skin from the sun and reduce sweating. Sweat actually causes your pores to become clogged and thus reduce the flow of sebum from the skin.
Too much washing, however, can cause the whiteheads and blackheads to become more inflamed and cause more pimples!

3 It is recommendable that you seek medical advice, if inflammation worsens after using over-the-counter drugs.

4 Exfoliating your face at least twice per week with facial scrub, after using a mild cleanser, will help to remove dead skin cells and reduce debris from clogging pores and worsening the condition.

5 All cosmetics and lotions used on your skin must be oil free! Use oil-free lotions such as Complex 15.

6 Use products with fruit acid. These will further disable potential clogging.

7 Shampoo your hair regularly in order to avoid the oil glands in your hair from producing more sebum, which might eventually come in contact with the face.

8 Drink lots of water to flush out body toxins and to keep your skin hydrated.

9 Try to consume reasonable amounts of Vitamin A and Zinc supplements, while maintaining a balanced and health diet.

Don'ts

1 Do not pick at pimples; instead drain them with sterilised needles when they are mature. The contrary will only prolong the healing process and cause scars or spots to fluster the skin.

2 Scrub your skin with abrasive chemical substances. These only destroy the protective barriers of the skin and alter the skin's Ph and make it more vulnerable to infections.

3 Apply chemical products to your skin, without a doctor's advice, especially if your skin is irritable or sensitive.

4 Eat excessive amounts of fatty, oily or greasy food.

5 DO NOT TAN! An overexposure to sunlight will only aggravate the acne, dehydration and premature aging, since the ultraviolet rays from the sun destroys cells responsible for the skin's immunology.

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