A Study Says That People Who Have Acne Age Slower

Written by Chaitra Krishnan, MA (Journalism & Mass Communication)  • 

If you’re a victim of acne, you’d hate looking at the mirror, especially in the morning. The puss filled yellowish zits are cringe worthy and the red ones are big and painful to touch. No matter how great your dress is or how good your makeup looks, zits can spoil your entire look. Also, when you have acne, you not only have to worry about getting rid of them but also about removing the scars that they leave behind.

It’s literally a painful situation and you may feel that there’s nothing good about acne. But what if we told you that acne is not all bad? Obviously, you might think we’re crazy. However, it’s not us who are saying this, but a study that suggests that people who suffer from acne age slower (1). Don’t believe us? Read on to know more.

The Findings Of The Study

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The study that was published in 2017 by the Journal of Investigative Dermatology focused on 1,205 female twins. These women were asked if they ever had acne issues and how they managed to escape from them. The length of the telomeres of these women was measured for the study since researchers believed that the whole connection between acne and slow aging can be explained with their help.

Telomeres are a part of our chromosomes and they are located at the tips of the chromosomal structure (2). They are like the small metal or plastic caps that are there on either end of our shoelaces. Just the way these plastic caps prevent the shoelaces from wearing out, telomeres protect our chromosomes from getting damaged. Every time our cell divides, the length of the telomeres get reduced which results in aging due to cell damage.

It was found that about a quarter of the women whose telomeres were studied, had acne and these women had longer telomeres when compared to the rest. This means that their telomeres could withstand more cell division during the course of time and protect their chromosomes for more years. This is all we know as of now and researchers suggest that more research has to be done in the area to get a better idea.

Those who get acne stay young for a longer period — this doesn’t mean that you have to keep the acne. You don’t have to suffer in pain because there are many methods to get rid of acne. Here are a few methods to help you solve your acne issues.

Natural Remedies To Get Rid Of Acne

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Acne can occur due to many reasons. If it’s hormonal acne, you need to seek the help of a dermatologist and get treated internally. Your doctor might give you creams and gels to heal the acne as well. But not all types of acne are hormonal and some these can be treated at home without the use of any chemicals. Read on to know more about these natural remedies.

1. Apple Cider Vinegar

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Mix one part of apple cider vinegar in three parts of clean water. You may have to dilute it further if you have sensitive skin. Now dip a cotton ball in the solution and apply the vinegar on your face. Remember to be gentle and not rub the cotton balls over your acne. Do this every day after you get back home from college or work because it also helps in clearing the pores.

2. Tea Tree Oil

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Mix a few drops of tea tree oil with some witch hazel and apply the mixture on your skin with a clean cotton ball. You can do this twice every day and see the results for yourself. The anti-inflammatory and ant-bacterial properties of tea tree oil help in healing the pimples and preventing them from spreading (3). However, do not over apply tea tree oil because it can make your skin dry and aggravate the acne.

3. Green Tea

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Green tea is a magical elixir and it’s beneficial to our body in many ways including protection against acne. Brew some green tea, cool it down, and use it as a face wash whenever needed. Also, use a cool green tea bag on the acne area to get rid of them.

4. Honey

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Apply some raw honey in the acne area and wash it off after ten minutes. The antibiotic properties of honey help in dealing with acne effectively. You can also make a face pack by mixing honey with a tablespoon of plain oatmeal. Leave this face mask on for thirty minutes and then wash it off for clear and moisturized skin.

5. Mint

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Mint helps in relieving the pain and itchiness caused by acne. It soothes your skin and cleans the pores. Mix a tablespoon of finely chopped mint leaves with some oatmeal and yogurt. Apply this mixture on your skin and wash it after twenty minutes. Repeat this every day and say goodbye to acne problems.

Although acne is not a desirable experience, you can look at the bright side and expect to stay young for a longer period. Now that you know this fact, you can laugh back at those who make fun of your acne because when they’re going to have wrinkles, you won’t be having them! How do you deal with acne? Share your tips with us in the comments.

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