Treat Acne
Acne Treatments, Information, Solutions
Just because of acne… Do you feel like a vampire
who shies away at your mirror? Are you afraid of your own reflection?
Chances are there are also about 60 million people
feeling the way you do. Acne, most commonly known as pimples, is the
bane of almost every face and the worst nightmare for those too unfortunate
to suffer.
For most of us humans, acne seems to be the bane of
our existence. And it is not totally unfounded. Acne is the most prevalent
and most common skin disease today.
In United States alone, nearly 60 million people are
infected with acne, where 85 per cent of teenagers suffer from it.
The information on this site will help you get rid
of embarrassing zits and pimples and overcome your acne problem
Causes of Acne, Acne Lesions and Acne Myths
Acne is an inflammatory disease of the skin, caused
by changes in the pilosebaseous units (skin structures consisting
of a hair follicle and its associated sebaceous gland).
Acne results from the action of hormones on the skin's
oil glands (sebaceous glands), which leads to plugged pores and outbreaks
of lesions commonly called pimples or zits.
Excessive secretion of oils from the glands combine
with naturally occurring dead skin cells to block the hair follicles.
Oil secretions build up beneath the blocked pore, providing a perfect
environment for the skin bacteria Propionibacterium acnes to multiply
uncontrolled. In response, the skin inflames, producing the visible
lesion. The most common form of acne is known as "acne vulgaris",
which means common acne.
The condition is common in puberty as a result of
an abnormal response to normal levels of the male hormone testosterone.
The response for most people diminishes over time and acne thus tends
to disappear, or at least decrease, after one reaches the third decade
of life.
There is, however, no way to predict how long it will
take for it to disappear entirely, and some individuals will continue
to suffer from acne decades later, into their thirties and forties
and even beyond.
Acne affects a large percentage of humans at some
stage in life. Aside from scarring its main effects are psychological,
such as reduced self-esteem and depression. Acne usually appears during
adolescence, when people already tend to be at their most socially-insecure.
For this reason acne should be treated if severe.
But contrary to the popular belief, acne is not just
teenagers’ diseases. It is socially taboo, that can be upsetting
and disfiguring. It has a significant economic impact where people
spend a lot of money on non-prescription and prescription treatments
and therapies.
Acne Lesions
Acne lesions usually occur on the face, neck, back,
chest, and shoulders. The typical lesions of acne are: small whitish
or skin-colored bumps (whiteheads) or blackish elevations (blackheads).
More inflammed rashes take the form of pus-filled, or reddish bumps,
even boil-like tender swellings. After resolution of the lesions,
prominent unsightly scars may remain.
Acne cases vary from mild to severely disfiguring.
It ranges from comedones (blackheads and whiteheads) to nodules and
cysts. Here are several acne terms that can help you better understand
acne.
Comedo or Comedones are simply a
plugged and enlarged hair follicle. When a comedo is open, it is usually
called a blackhead. When it is closed or deep into the skin, it is
usually called whitehead. The whitehead differs in color from the
blackhead because the opening of the plugged sebaceous follicle to
the skin’s surface is closed or very narrow, in contrast to
the distended follicular opening of the blackhead.
Neither blackheads nor whiteheads should be squeezed
or picked open, unless extracted by a dermatologist under sterile
conditions. Tissue injured by squeezing or picking can become infected
by staphylococci, streptococci and other skin bacteria.
Papules are inflamed lesions that
usually appears as small, pink bumps on the skin and can be tender
to the touch. A group of very small papules and microcomedones may
be almost invisible but have a "sandpaper" feel to the touch.
A papule is caused by localized cellular reaction to the process of
acne.
Pustules are papules topped by pus-filled
lesions that may be red at the base. A pustule that forms over a sebaceous
follicle usually has a hair in the center. Acne pustules that heal
without progressing to cystic form usually leave no scars.
Nodules are solid, dome-shaped or
irregularly- shaped lesions. They are commonly characterized by inflammation,
extend into deeper layers of the skin and may cause tissue destruction
that result in scarring. A nodule may be very painful. Nodular acne
is a severe form of acne that may not respond to therapies other than
isotretinoin.
Cysts can appear similar to nodules
but are pus-filled, very painful and can cause scarring. They are
usually described as having a diameter of 5 mm or more across.
Common Causes of Acne
What exactly are the causes of acne that so many people
suffer from it? Exactly why some people get acne and some do not is
not fully known. It is known to be partly hereditary.Here are the
most common causes of acne that we have gathered for you.
Hormones- the number one cause of
acne is the production of sex hormones called androgen that begins
at puberty. This is why majority of acne sufferers are adolescents
and teens. Hormones are responsible for then acne flare-ups during
menstruation and pregnancy.
When the sebaceous gland is stimulated by androgens,
it produces extra sebum. In its journey up the follicle toward the
surface, the sebum mixes with common skin bacteria and dead skin cells
that have been shed from the lining of the follicle. While this process
is normal, the presence of extra sebum in the follicle increases the
chances of clogging — and acne.
Birth control pills - many women
have reported reduced acne while on the pill
Stress- Stress can also cause the
production of hormones, such as cortisol, which can aggravate acne.
Stress brings upon different hormone levels. With hormone changes
the body prompts the skins oil glands to enlarge, secreting more oil.
Which causes white heads, black heads and pimples. (
Oily or heavy make up- Heavy make-up
clogs the pores and oily make-ups add more oil, this only adds to
the problem if oily skin already exists. Cosmetics especially certain
moisturizers, foundation and pomades (watch out for lanolin, petrolatum,
vegetable oils, butyl stearate, lauryl alcohol and oleic acid).
Certain medications and steroids. Vitamins
are good for your body, But an excess of vitamins B1, B6 and B12 can
cause acne flare-ups. These vitamins are good for the skin, but avoid
overuse.
Diet- For some people, a diet that
is high in refined carbohydrates and sugars can actually aggravate
their acne.
Over abrasive cleansing- Harsh exfoliators
can damage skin and spread infections.
Picking and squeezing- This can actually
send the infection deeper into the skin and can cause scarring.
Environmental irritants such as high
humidity and pollution. High humidity actually causes swelling of
skin. Pollution is of course a very big No No to good health, not
just skin.
Genes- family members are also acne
sufferers. Acne is also inherited. Severe cases known as cystic acne
usually come from heredity.
Exposure to high levels of chlorine compounds, particularly
chlorinated dioxins, can cause severe, long-lasting acne, known as
Chloracne.
Traditionally, attention has focused mostly on over-production
of sebum as the main contributing factor of acne. More recently, more
attention has been given to narrowing of the follicle channel as a
second main contributing factor.
Abnormal shedding of the cells lining the follicle,
abnormal cell binding ("hyperkeratinization") within the
follicle, and water retention in the skin (swelling the skin and so
pressing the follicles shut) have all been put forward as mechanisms
involved, but there does not appear to be much conclusive medical
research on the subject.
If you have a very persistent case of acne, it is
wise to consult your doctor.
Myths and Misconceptions about Acne
Try asking people advice regarding your acne and chances
are, they would tell you that it is due to your poor hygiene, poor
diet or that you are in love.
However, skin experts are actually dismissing those
as nothing but myths. The best way to cope with your acne problem
is to educate yourself and it is with this purpose that prompted us
to list down the common acne myths that people often encounter.
Since the medical knowledge about acne is still relatively
small, many misconceptions and rumours about what causes acne exist:
1. Acne is caused by poor hygiene. This
misconception probably comes from the fact that acne basically involves
skin infections. Many people believe that acne is caused by poor hygiene;
therefore they tend to over-wash their skin. However, washing too
frequently and too aggressively can strip the skin of its natural
lipids, damaging the skin's natural barrier function. In response,
the follicle will produce excess sebum and possibly additional breakouts.
So unless you get yourself dirty on regular basis (like a mechanic,
perhaps), do not over- wash your face.
In fact the blockages that cause acne usually occur
deep within the narrow follicle channel, where it is usually impossible
to wash them away, from the cells and sebum created there by your
body. The bacteria involved are exactly the same bacteria that everyone
has on their skin. It is useful to clean your skin, but doing so will
not prevent acne. Anything beyond very gentle cleansing can actually
worsen existing lesions and even encourage new ones by damaging or
overdrying skin.
2. Acne is caused by certain foods. The common misconception
is that eating junk food will lead to or worsen an acne condition.
Scientific studies have shown that diet has little to no effect on
acne. This varies depending on the person. While eating healthy and
balanced diet is encouraged for our overall well- being, there is
really no scientific evidence that connects certain foods to acne.
If you are one of those who are affected by certain foods, it is always
wise to avoid them.
Chocolate, chips, sugar, milk and seafood among others
have not been shown to affect acne.This means that the scientific
studies done to date did not find a big difference between acne in
two groups of people, one group eating the food in question and one
group avoiding it. However, in his book The Acne Prescription, radical
dermatologist Nicholas Perricone argues that this is actually a myth
itself, and recommends a specific diet high in fish and low in sugar.
3. You can outgrow your acne. It
is much more sensible to treat your acne immediately to avoid emotional
stress and permanent scarring.
4. Acne is just a little problem, no need
to overreact. It is embarrassing to have acne, thus can affect
our confidence and esteem. It may even affect our social relation
and job performance.
5. Acne is just a cosmetic disease. Heavy
and oily make up may contribute to acne build up. However, cosmetics
labeled non-comedogenic or non-acnegenic might actually contain benzoyl
peroxide and salicylic acid that may help to fight acne.
6. Stress can cause acne. While over
stress may actually produce hormones that can aggravate acne; normal,
everyday stress does not really trigger acne.
7. Getting a tan would clear up acne. While
sun exposure may dry out existing acne, it will not prevent new ones
from forming. It can also over dry the skin thus sebaceous glands
will produce more oil that will ultimately worsen your condition.
It will also increase your risk of skin cancer and wrinkles.
8. Too much or too little sex.
Common myths state that either celibacy or masturbation cause acne.
However, there is no scientific evidence that this is the case.
So there, the next time somebody tells you one of
those things, gracefully correct them and share what you know. Remember,
knowledge is power.
See also:
Parts of this article are from Wikipedia
