How To Beat Acne
Acne is the most common skin related ailment in the
United States, and although it is non-lethal it can have very detrimental
psychological effects due to its highly visible nature and the scarring
it can cause on the skin.
Acne can effect all age groups but it is most prominent
in the 12-24 age group. The typical sufferers of acne are teenagers,
because acne is a result of hormones disorder on the skin's oil glands,
which most often occurs during puberty.
The oil glands produce more oil than the skin can
absorb or than the pores can let out. The result is plugged pores,
where oil is accumulated, thus leading to the formation of lesions
commonly called pimples or zits.
Unfortunately acne is most likely to occur on the
face, where is very visible and often embarassing. However it also
occurs on the neck, back, chest and shoulders.
The process that leads to acne formation is not well
understood, neither is why it afflicts some people with such virulence
while never touching others. During puberty the male sex hormone (androgen)
increases in both boys and girls, this can cause acne to form.
Another factor in acne formation is pregnancy or contraceptions
pills which also change hormone levels which can cause acne. Aside
from hormonal imbalances, family history can also effect acne.
Acne is not exactly an inherited disease but having
a family where acne is prevalent increases the likelihood of acne
development. Uncleanliness can aggravate acne but it cannot cause
acne to develop in the first place. Pollution and humidity can also
aggravate acne by blocking pores. It is important to bear in mind
the things that, despite popular opinion, do not cause acne.
Firstly acne is not contagious, it cannot be contracted
by physical contact (unlike some other skin disorders such as chlamydia).
Another commmon belief is that acne can be caused by stress, or by
eating chocolate or oily food, this is not true. Neither stress nor
diet play a real role in acne development.
There is no real way to prevent acne -- if it's going
to form, it will. Generally all one can do is take steps to stem its
development. A visit to a dermatologist is crucial, they can prescribe
a solution (which may or may not involve medication).
The most important rule is to keep one's skin clean
and not to squeeze the pimples. Squeezing the pimples temporarily
removes your enemy from your face but it does not remove the cause
for the disease and what is worse - if the pimples get infected, more
treatment will be needed.
As mentioned above cleanliness is important when containing
acne. If your skin is unclean it will accumulate oil which blocks
the pores more quickly making the acne worse. We recommend cleaning
the face with paper towels, these will clear the area of oil.
Another good tip is to regularly change your pillowcase,
it accumulates oil from contact with the face. Keeping one's face
skin clean by using special cleansing milk and lotions removes sweat
and any bacteria.
When the pores are open, oil does not accumulate
in lesions. But be careful when cleaning your face, because skin manipulations
(scrubbing, friction, etc.) can irritate the lesions and actually
make acne worse.
David Perzman is the webmaster of ACNE
Life -- lots of resources and information on Acne containing articles
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