You look in the mirror and you are frustrated to see that your worst problem refuses to go away. Acne! If you are battling with the dreaded acne, you are not alone. Chances are you are among the 80% of people of all races that suffer from this condition.
Acne is the term used to refer to skin disorders characterized by persistent and recurring reddish blemishes on the face and other parts of the body including the neck, shoulders, chest, upper back and/or buttocks.
Acne is commonly manifested in these areas due to the predominance of sebaceous (or oil producing) glands in these areas. These glands are responsible for producing sebum, the natural lubricant of the skin and hair. Sebum is normally drawn off onto the skin surface through the pores. When the pores are blocked by excess oil or hair, sebum accumulates under the skin causing a "plug". This allows pimple-causing bacteria to thrive in the plugged pores resulting in inflammation and acne.
The term "acne" may also be used to refer to whiteheads, blackheads and pimples. Whiteheads develop when a pore becomes clogged, stays just beneath the skin and bulges out forming a white bump. A blackhead, on the other hand, results when a clogged pore remains open and forms a dark center due to the exposure of sebum in the air. Pimples are formed when infected whiteheads rupture. This infection makes the skin look red.
Although acne may not be a serious health condition, its existence may cause significant emotional concern to acne sufferers.
For a very long period of time, acne had been blamed to a variety of things, from eating chocolates and greasy foods to dirty skin to stress. However, there is still insufficient evidence on the relationship between acne and these factors.
Although the exact cause of acne is still unknown, its incidence can be attributed to many factors. Among these are:
Hormonal changes. Acne is most prevalent during puberty. This can be attributed to the increase in the male sex hormones called androgen in both boys and girls. This hormonal imbalance causes the sebaceous glands to enlarge and produce more sebum. Some adolescent girls and women may also experience acne outbreaks before their menstrual periods. Pregnancy also causes hormonal changes, which may explain why pregnant women are susceptible to acne outbreaks. Starting or stopping birth control pills may likewise cause acne.
Heredity or genetics. Research proves that heredity plays an important role in determining the tendency to develop acne. If one parent suffers from acne, it is possible that he or she may pass the condition to his children.
Bacteria. Certain bacteria have the tendency to infect oil glands and skin pores.
Drugs. Certain drugs, including lithium and androgen are also known to cause acne.
There are many ways to treat an acne problem. There are over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription drugs used to counter the problem. Medications are available in various preparations. There are topical (applied to the skin) and oral (taken by mouth) preparations for treating mild to severe cases of acne.
To reduce acne problem, several precautionary measures should be observed.
Do not squeeze, pick, scratch or rub your skin. Putting undue pressure forces oil and bacteria deeper in the skin making matters worse. It may even cause scarring.
Wash your face twice a day using a mild soap and rinse well with water. Stay clear from granular facial scrubs. Exfoliating irritates the skin and produces more dead cells which clogs the pores and may further aggravate the condition.
Change your wash cloth every day. Damp cloth is a haven for acne-causing bacteria.
Avoid touching your face unnecessarily.
Shampoo hair regularly and try to keep your hair away from your face.
Exercise regularly and minimize stress levels. Stress aggravates acne conditions.
Oil from certain skin products may clog the pores so it is advisable to wear make up on special occasions only and remove it completely afterwards. It is best to use hypoallergenic and/or fragrance-free products.
.Avoid being sunburned. Certain acne medications make the skin prone to sunburn. Avoid this at all costs even if tones the skin and makes the blemishes less visible. Excessive exposure to the sun may hasten skin aging and may even cause skin cancer.
Remember, however, that for proper treatment of persistent and uncontrollable acne, it is best to be safe. Consult a dermatologist!
Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Acne
Acne is the term used to refer to skin disorders characterized by persistent and recurring reddish blemishes on the face and other parts of the body including the neck, shoulders, chest, upper back and/or buttocks.
Acne is commonly manifested in these areas due to the predominance of sebaceous (or oil producing) glands in these areas. These glands are responsible for producing sebum, the natural lubricant of the skin and hair. Sebum is normally drawn off onto the skin surface through the pores. When the pores are blocked by excess oil or hair, sebum accumulates under the skin causing a "plug". This allows pimple-causing bacteria to thrive in the plugged pores resulting in inflammation and acne.
The term "acne" may also be used to refer to whiteheads, blackheads and pimples. Whiteheads develop when a pore becomes clogged, stays just beneath the skin and bulges out forming a white bump. A blackhead, on the other hand, results when a clogged pore remains open and forms a dark center due to the exposure of sebum in the air. Pimples are formed when infected whiteheads rupture. This infection makes the skin look red.
Although acne may not be a serious health condition, its existence may cause significant emotional concern to acne sufferers.
For a very long period of time, acne had been blamed to a variety of things, from eating chocolates and greasy foods to dirty skin to stress. However, there is still insufficient evidence on the relationship between acne and these factors.
Although the exact cause of acne is still unknown, its incidence can be attributed to many factors. Among these are:
Hormonal changes. Acne is most prevalent during puberty. This can be attributed to the increase in the male sex hormones called androgen in both boys and girls. This hormonal imbalance causes the sebaceous glands to enlarge and produce more sebum. Some adolescent girls and women may also experience acne outbreaks before their menstrual periods. Pregnancy also causes hormonal changes, which may explain why pregnant women are susceptible to acne outbreaks. Starting or stopping birth control pills may likewise cause acne.
Heredity or genetics. Research proves that heredity plays an important role in determining the tendency to develop acne. If one parent suffers from acne, it is possible that he or she may pass the condition to his children.
Bacteria. Certain bacteria have the tendency to infect oil glands and skin pores.
Drugs. Certain drugs, including lithium and androgen are also known to cause acne.
There are many ways to treat an acne problem. There are over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription drugs used to counter the problem. Medications are available in various preparations. There are topical (applied to the skin) and oral (taken by mouth) preparations for treating mild to severe cases of acne.
To reduce acne problem, several precautionary measures should be observed.
Do not squeeze, pick, scratch or rub your skin. Putting undue pressure forces oil and bacteria deeper in the skin making matters worse. It may even cause scarring.
Wash your face twice a day using a mild soap and rinse well with water. Stay clear from granular facial scrubs. Exfoliating irritates the skin and produces more dead cells which clogs the pores and may further aggravate the condition.
Change your wash cloth every day. Damp cloth is a haven for acne-causing bacteria.
Avoid touching your face unnecessarily.
Shampoo hair regularly and try to keep your hair away from your face.
Exercise regularly and minimize stress levels. Stress aggravates acne conditions.
Oil from certain skin products may clog the pores so it is advisable to wear make up on special occasions only and remove it completely afterwards. It is best to use hypoallergenic and/or fragrance-free products.
.Avoid being sunburned. Certain acne medications make the skin prone to sunburn. Avoid this at all costs even if tones the skin and makes the blemishes less visible. Excessive exposure to the sun may hasten skin aging and may even cause skin cancer.
Remember, however, that for proper treatment of persistent and uncontrollable acne, it is best to be safe. Consult a dermatologist!
Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Acne
