Table of contents:
- Content of lime
- How to get rid of acne with lime
- Using lime to get rid of acne is not necessarily safe
- The side effects are when using lime for the skin
- Allergy
- Phytophotodermatitis
You must be familiar with the prestige of lime as a spice in the kitchen. However, did you know that quite a lot of people rely on how to get rid of acne with lime? Lime wedges are usually placed directly on the pimples in the hope that the lump will quickly go down. In addition to deflating inflamed pimples, lime is also often used to get rid of acne scars. So, is it true that using lime juice is a safe and effective way to get rid of acne fast?
Content of lime
Source: Kawai Beauty Japan
Lime is a member of the citrus fruit family that is round green, has a very sour taste, and is smaller than a lemon.
But even though it's small, lime is rich in vitamin C. In addition, lime also contains various other nutrients in it such as:
- Iron
- Calcium
- Vitamin B6
- Vitamin B1
- Potassium
Thanks to this series of important ingredients, lime can not only be processed into drinks or food. However, lime is also widely used as skin care. Not infrequently, lime is one way that is tried to help get rid of acne and scars.
How to get rid of acne with lime
Thanks to the rich vitamin C content in lime, this fruit can improve skin health. Vitamin C is a nutrient needed to make collagen, a protein that keeps skin firm and supple.
As evidence, research conducted on more than 4,000 women found interesting facts. Those who eat more vitamin C have a lower risk of developing wrinkles and dry skin as they age. This is found from research published in the journal American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Evidence also shows that limes are also high in antioxidants. Therefore, this fruit is thought to be able to fight skin changes due to age.
Oxidative stress can trigger premature aging that occurs due to the large number of free radicals in the body. Well, these free radicals can be countered by foods and drinks that contain antioxidants, such as lime.
Another study published in the journal Food Chemistry also found that drinking drinks containing oranges has a positive impact on the skin. Drinking lime drinks can reduce wrinkles and increase collagen production.
Using lime to get rid of acne is not necessarily safe
Many people often use lime to treat acne and scars. However, from the various benefits of lime that have been reported through research, no one has been able to prove the benefits of this fruit for getting rid of acne.
If it has not been scientifically proven, you should not use lime as a way to get rid of acne. Especially if the pimples that you give runny lime juice are inflamed.
If you stick with it, your skin can experience unwanted problems. Especially if you have sensitive skin that is very easily irritated. Instead, use an over-the-counter acne medication to treat inflamed pimples and scars.
If it doesn't get better, consult a doctor to get the most appropriate treatment. Doctor's treatment is much safer than trying to use lime to get rid of acne on the face.
The side effects are when using lime for the skin
Allergy
All foods can cause allergies including lime. This one fruit can trigger allergy symptoms and cause various symptoms such as swelling, itching, and redness of the skin.
This condition can appear when you apply lime to the skin as a way to get rid of acne or when you drink it.
To avoid allergies to lime fruit, try doing an allergy test first. This test can be done by applying lime juice to the forearm. Then, let stand for about 24 hours and see the reaction.
If there are no negative reactions such as itching or redness of the skin, this is a sign that you are not allergic to this one fruit.
Phytophotodermatitis
In addition, in some cases, applying lime directly to the skin can also make it more sensitive to sunlight. As a result, the skin can experience inflammation or what is known as phytophotodermatitis.
Phytophotodermatitis usually appears 24 hours after exposure and peaks between 48 to 72 hours later. Symptoms that appear can be mild or severe when you try this natural way to get rid of acne with lime.
The various reactions that may arise are:
- Quite a large burnt area
- Burning or burning sensation on the skin
- Itchy skin
- Redness
- Inflammation of the skin
- Skin feels sore
- Soft to the touch
- Blistered skin
- Crusty patches of skin usually appear after the blister has broken off
When these symptoms subside after 7 to 14 days, the skin will become hyperpigmented. Hyperpigmentation is a condition that occurs when certain areas of the skin are darker than the surroundings. This phase can usually last for several weeks or months.
However, not everyone experiences this. You can also experience a very mild inflammatory reaction after exposure to sunlight. Hyperpigmentation is one of the main signs that they have phytophotodermatitis.
Wet skin, sweat, and heat can worsen the initial symptoms. Meanwhile, sun exposure can darken skin pigmentation.
Therefore, avoid using lime for the skin directly on the skin as a way to get rid of acne.
It would be much better if you take it in the form of an extract that has been processed into lotions or other products. You can also drink it to get the benefits of lime as well as for your health.
Applying lime directly to the skin to get rid of acne is not recommended.
