by B.J. Armstrong

"Advice is something the wise don't need and the fools won't accept."

So .. you may read this article and you may not. But, "if you give advice only when asked for it, you will give very little advice." Anyway, here goes. Let's talk about acne. Do you have it? Have you had it? Will you get it? Lets ask the experts. A recent study found that 81% of people between the ages of 15 and 44 are battling pimples and blackheads.

Most acne is caused by overactive oil glands in your face, upper back and chest. Acne will not go away on its own. If you are one of the unfortunate ones, try treatment right away to combat emotional and physical scarring. To begin with, keep your face clean. The first thing to do every morning when you get out of bed is to wash your face with warm water and unscented soap. If you want to make yourself a natural cleanser, try this... Heat some lemon juice until barely warm and add to it an egg white. Whip until it becomes a paste and then put on the face. Leave on for 10 minutes and then wash off with warm water. Ladies, this is also good for an early start on wrinkles.

You see that pimple and want to squeeze it. Don't do that! It will just cause redness and swelling. If you must do something, wrap an ice cube in a cloth and hold it to the blemish for a few minutes every hour. You might try rubbing a raw potato over your face. Leave the juice on for 20 to 30 minutes, and then rinse with cold water. It's an old remedy, but it works.

Here's how the experts treat acne. Your dermatologist will most likely recommend starting with one of these products:

*Benzoyl peroxide (Benoxyl, Oxy 10) is available over-the-counter or in  stronger doses with a prescription. It helps reduce acne-causing bacteria and unblocks clogged pores.

* Salicylic Acid, Sulfur, or Resorcinol to help remove dead skin cells. You'll find these ingredients in many

popular over-the-counter acne products.

* Topical Antibiotics. These creams or ointments reduce the amount of bacteria on your skin. Topical

antibiotics will make your skin more sensitive to the sun.

There are many other oral medications. For severe cases, see your dermatologist. He or she will recommend drugs for cases of acne that doesn't clear up with milder treatments.

Hot August is here and we want our skin to be tanned and beautiful all month. Then out of the blue, a pimple flares up when you least expect it. Especially when you're going on that blind date, the prom or that special date that you've been dreaming about. This is the time to make a good impression and what happens to the face? Time for some quick action and "home remedies."

At the first sign of a pimple, smear a mixture of Brewers Yeast and plain yogurt on your face. Leave it there for a few minutes and wipe off with warm water. Or, combine two tablespoons of oatmeal and enough olive oil to make a paste. Massage the paste onto the affected area. Leave on for about five minutes and then rinse with warm water. I have a cousin who swears by this remedy. Works for her, she says.

Who needs expensive acne medications? Often you can fight breakouts with everyday household items. No time to run to the store, try this. Eye drops will relieve redness. Just squeeze a few drops onto a cotton swab and hold it against the pimple for about 30 seconds. Try dabbing blemishes several times with lemon juice. Or, you might lay a slice of lemon over your breakout for a few minutes during the day. Here's something to do at night. Put a dab of toothpaste on the blemish when you go to bed. The next morning, wipe off the dried toothpaste with a little warm water and finish cleaning your face as usual. And not to forget the rubbing alcohol. Some experts will tell you not to use it because it dries out the skin. As for myself, I like it and use it occasionally. The truth is, almost everyone will battle breakouts sooner or later. Don't  despair, they will clear up eventually.

If the world beats a path to your door, you probably have a beautiful teen-age daughter (without pimples).

What you eat and drink has a big impact on your body in general.

Doctors claim that "diet is important." Although lots of healthy foods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, are important to a healthy skin, eating chocolate and pizza will not cause acne. We just need to eat a 'balanced diet' and since summer hot days are here, we need to drink lots of water and juices.

Colorful, delicious fruits and vegetables, such as apricots, cantaloupe, strawberries, red and green grapes contain lots of vitamin C. If you eat carrots, sweet potatoes, mangoes, and squash, you'll get lots of beta carotene, which your body converts to vitamin A. Don't forget the vitamin E. It is good, so-o-o-o-o good for the skin. Drink plenty of water on these hot days out in the sun. You can include fruit juices in this category. Your body and skin needs plenty of liquids daily, especially in the hot summer. If you get a lot of exercise, swimming, boating, hiking, skiing, tennis, etc., increase the amount of liquids for your body weight. For variety, drink natural fruit juices diluted 50% with water, or thin soups, or herbal teas, which are good for you. Experts say to avoid coffee, natural tea, and colas. But, I think you can limit yourself to a cup or glass every now and then, as a treat to thyself, as you might say.

"Nothing is all wrong. Even a clock that has stopped running is right twice a day."
.