Acne Facts And Treatments
By Kelly Gillis
One of the worst times in a young teenage life is
undoubtedly when she or he starts with an acne flair up. This can
make a shy and awkward child even more shy and awkward and in our
society where every young girl thinks she should look like Brittney
or Lindsay, and every young boy a young Tom or Brad acne can really
wreak havoc with a young developing self esteem.
Doctors and researchers are no longer calling a diet of chocolate
and greasy food the culprit. It has been shown through research that
the types of food eaten seem to have little effect on acne. Another
myth that has been busted over the years is that blackheads and acne
are caused by dirt. Not so.
One of the major causes of acne is now thought to be rising hormone
levels. Hormones found in both sexes increase during puberty and are
thought to enlarge sebaceous glands and increase oil (sebum) development.
Acne forms when the pores get blocked and sebum cannot
drain to the surface of the skin. When the sebum gets blocked, bacteria
growth starts. Acne bacteria is called propionibacterium acnes. Some
researchers think that acne may be hereditary and can be inherited
from parents.
There are some external causes for acne. Heavy or greasy make ups
can cause acne flair ups as can high humidity. Some prescription medications
may have a side effect that causes acne.
Acne can be characterized in two ways, light to moderate or severe.
Light to moderate acne is characterized by blackheads, whiteheads
and papules. A severe case of acne would include cysts and nodules.
Most cases of light to moderate acne can be treated by over the counter
medications. There are many to choose from. Some acne suffers find
that benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid works well, and benzoyl peroxide
is known to readily kill the acne bacteria. Benzoyl peroxide can be
found in cleansers and in spot treatments.
Benzoyl peroxide is very drying and can make
your face look even more irritated, especially when you first start
washing with it. Many acne suffers use a moisturizer on their face
after washing. There are many moisturizers available that are specifically
designed to help with acne such as Cetaphil, Eucerin, and Neutrogena.
It is suggested that you wash at least twice a day. Never squeeze
or pick the blemishes on your face and don't wash with a washcloth,
use your hands. A washcloth can irritate acne and actually make it
worse.
Severe acne, or acne that has not responded well to over the counter
products, is most successfully treated with the knowledge and expertise
of a dermatologist. A dermatologist will consider many things before
suggesting treatment such as severity of acne, patient age, lifestyle,
and co-existing conditions. The dermatologist then may suggest a combination
of two or three different therapies for best treatment.
The earlier that acne is treated, the better it will be. With all
the treatments available, there is one that will be right for you.
About the Author: This article provided courtesy of http://www.acne-treatment-guide.net
