Acne is a very common skin disorder that most young people get in early puberty. It is caused by inflammation of the small oil glands (sebaceous glands) that surround the fine hairs on the face and chest.
The severity of acne increases and, typically, reaches its peak around the ages of 17 to 19. For most people, acne tends to go away by the time they reach their mid-20s; however, very sensitive people may continue to have the disorder until they reach their 40s.
Hormonal changes related to pregnancy or menstrual periods can also cause or contribute to acne. This is also the case with environmental irritants such as pollution, intense heat, humidity or cold. During puberty, the production of male sex hormones (androgens) increases in both girls and boys, which can stimulate the sebaceous glands to produce more sebum. In some people, the sebaceous glands are extremely sensitive to androgens. These people, mostly men, get acne so severely that they need medical treatment. The increased production of sebum makes the openings of the sebaceous glands narrower, which prevents the sebum from getting out. Meanwhile, the sebum production continues regardless.
Pimples are often caused by Propionebacterium acnes, a common bacterium on the skin that feeds on sebum. This bacterium produces waste products and fatty acids that irritate the sebaceous glands and make them inflamed.
The first symptoms are small, tender, red spots that later turn into pimples containing degraded fatty acids. The inflammation disappears over a few days or weeks, depending on the severity. Severe acne can cause scars which will never disappear. Acne can also cause psychological stress and be socially disabling. An early effective treatment is therefore imperative.
Conditions promoting acne
• Working in a damp environment with oil, grease and other chemicals.
• Stress or emotional tension.
• Squeezing or picking at the pimples.
• Menstrual periods.
• Certain medicines and chemicals.
Home treatment and precautions
• Wash your face twice a day with a mild cleanser. Make sure you wash your skin whenever it becomes sweaty. Do not scrub your face as this will only make your acne worse.
• Avoid hairstyles in which the hair is constantly touching your face. Shampoo your hair regularly.
• Do not squeeze or pick at the pimples. This makes them worse and may cause scarring.
• Avoid exposing your skin to too much cold, heat and sunlight. Sunlight may improve your acne for a while, but it wont cure it. Too much exposure to sunlight can lead to burning and skin cancer.
• Use a water-based moisturiser. Greasy or oily creams and foundations block the pores and may cause pimples.
• No scientific research has shown that certain foods can cause acne, but if you notice that spots increase after you eat certain things, it makes sense to avoid them.
• Choose a sensible, varied diet, drink lots of water and exercise regularly. If you feel good, your skin will feel good too
• Consult a beautician about how your skin should be cared for.
• Mild acne can be treated with over-the-counter medications. Try them for six to eight weeks to find out if they are working - it takes time to get acne under control.
Medical Treatment
Depending on the severity of your acne, your doctor may choose to treat you or refer you to a dermatologist. Acne can be treated with medications that are either applied to the skin or taken by mouth. The treatment is directed at the factors that trigger acne, which are:
• the increased production of sebum that leads to a narrowing of the sebaceous glands
• the bacteria that causes acne.
It takes six to eight weeks before the effect of the treatment can be seen. Treatment will typically have to continue until the patient reaches their 20s.
Scars caused by acne can be removed by abrasion (dermabrasion) or laser treatment. These treatments are carried out by a dermatologist or a plastic surgeon.
About the author..
Helen Jones has been a dermatologist for over 20 years and writes numerous articles for leading medical magazines on the latest treatments to help fight acne. For further information, visit the following site
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