This article was co-authored by Laura Marusinec, MD. Dr. Marusinec is a board certified Pediatrician at the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, where she is on the Clinical Practice Council. She received her M.D. from the Medical College of Wisconsin School of Medicine in 1995 and completed her residency at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Pediatrics in 1998. She is a member of the American Medical Writers Association and the Society for Pediatric Urgent Care.
There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
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Treatment options like Proactive Solution can help manage acne and reduce breakouts. Proactive works by removing dead skins cells and impurities which can clog the pores in your face, and reducing redness and swelling associated with acne outbreaks. Knowing how to use Proactive, either as a treatment or as a preventative measure, may help manage outbreaks without irritating skin.
Steps
Understanding Proactive
Understand what Proactive is. Proactive is a three-step acne treatment system:- The first step is cleansing and exfoliating your face. The active ingredient, benzoyl peroxide (BPO), unplugs pores and kills bacteria.
- The second step is targeting pores to treat existing acne and prevent future breakouts. It uses BPO to prevent oil production inside pores and kill the acne causing bacteria.
- The third step is a hydrating lotion to treat skin while delivering acne medication where you need it most. The active ingredient, salicylic acid, promotes clean pores by allowing dead skin cells to slough off. This results in smaller pores and healthier skin.
Know where to buy Proactive. Proactive is sold online at www.proactive.com. A one month supply of Proactive retails for $29.95.
Understand whom Proactive works best for. Proactive is designed for men and women from adolescence through adulthood with mild to moderate acne or hormone-induced outbreaks of acne. Proactive may also reduce redness, oily shine, and balance uneven skin tone.- It can take four to six weeks before Proactive users see results.
- Some users may experience sensitivity to benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, two of the active ingredients in Proactive products. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include itching, swelling and redness of the face or throat, hives, or difficulty breathing.[1]
- In case of an allergic reaction, users should immediately discontinue use and seek medical assistance.
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Cleansing Your Skin
Pull your hair back away from your face. If you have long hair, you'll want to keep it from getting in the way while cleaning your face.
Dampen your face with lukewarm water. This is an important first step, as applying facial cleanser onto dry skin may cause irritation.- Using hot water may dry out your skin. Lukewarm is the ideal temperature to clean your face without causing irritation.[2]
Use your hands to apply the Skin-Smoothing Exfoliator. Do not use a washcloth, as this can irritate your skin. Scrubbing your skin with the exfoliator may also irritate your skin.[3]- Use a small amount of exfoliator - about a coin-sized portion will be sufficient.
- Gently massage the exfoliator into your skin for two to three minutes.
Wash your face with lukewarm water. Be sure to wash away all of the Skin-Smoothing Exfoliator, as leftover exfoliator may dry out your skin.[4]
Gently dab your face dry with a soft towel. For best results, avoid using a rough towel and do not scrub too roughly. Treat your newly-exfoliated skin gently.
Use Proactive Skin-Smoothing Exfoliator twice a day. Morning and evening work best to stay on schedule. It's best not to use facial wash more than twice a day, as doing so may cause dry, irritated skin.[5]Advertisement
Using Pore-Targeting Treatment
Wash your hands before applying products to your skin. You want to minimize spreading bacteria from your hands to your face.
Use two or more pumps of Pore-Targeting Treatment lotion. You want to be sure that you're using enough to cover your entire face.
Apply with your fingers to cover your face. The lotion contains benzoyl peroxide, a safe and popular treatment for mild to moderate cases of acne and skin blemishes.[6] You want to apply enough treatment lotion that it completely covers your face without leaving a gooey residue.
Let your face air dry. Do not wash off the Pore-Targeting Treatment lotion. Let it completely dry before moving on to the third phase of Proactive treatment.
Use Pore-Targeting Treatment lotion twice daily. It can be used immediately after the Skin-Smoothing Exfoliator every morning and evening.Advertisement
Applying Complexion-Perfecting Hydrator
Measure out a coin-sized amount of hydrator. You can use more hydrator if you have a lot of dry skin.
Use your hands to gently apply hydrator across your face. The Complexion-Perfecting Hydrator is made with salicylic acid, a common acne-treatment medication that prevents pimple-growth and skin blemishes.[7] The salicylic acid is also paired with a moisturizing component that reduces redness and soothes irritated skin without leaving a greasy residue.
Allow Complexion-Perfecting Hydrator to air dry. Do not wash hydrator off your face.
Use Complexion-Perfecting Hydrator twice daily. It can be used in conjunction with Skin-Smoothing Exfoliator and Pore-Targeting Treatment every morning and evening.Advertisement
Expert Q&A
Tips
- Do not pick your skin! This will only spread acne and it will increase healing time.Thanks
- Talk to your doctor before using Proactive if you have very sensitive skin or other skin conditions.Thanks
- Use the treatment everyday. Skipping days may reduce its efficacy.Thanks
Warnings
- Make sure you pull your hair away from your face so it doesn't get bleached. Wash any hair that has come into contact with face wash as soon as possible.Thanks
- AVOID contact to the eyes.Thanks
- See your doctor or dermatologist if your acne is not getting better after 6-8 weeks or if you have deep cysts or scars from acne.Thanks
- You should always test for skin allergies before you use any acne treatment products.Thanks
- Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or breast feeding before using Proactive.Thanks
References
- ↑ http://www.drugs.com/mtm/salicylic-acid-topical.html
- ↑ http://www.womenshealthmag.com/beauty/how-to-wash-your-face
- ↑ https://www.aad.org/dermatology-a-to-z/health-and-beauty/general-skin-care/face-washing-101
- ↑ http://magazine.foxnews.com/style-beauty/7-common-mistakes-you-make-when-washing-your-face
- ↑ http://www.menshealth.com/grooming/how-often-wash-face
- ↑ http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a601026.html
- ↑ http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a607072.html
About this article
To use Proactive Solution, start by washing your face with lukewarm water to prevent irritation. Once your face is wet, apply the exfoliator to your face with your hands. Repeat the process later in the day so you're applying the exfoliator twice daily. You should also rub Pore-Targeting Treatment lotion into your face twice a day, and let your face air dry. After applying the lotion, add a coin-sized amount of Complexion Perfecting Hydrator, and let it air dry. Repeat these treatments daily for 4 to 6 weeks, after which point you should begin to see improvements. Make sure you wash your hands thoroughly before applying any products to your face, which will help you avoid spreading bacteria that may make your acne worse. For tips from our Medical co-author, including how to tell if you’re allergic to the treatment, keep reading!
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