Managing Acne

Acne vulgaris is a skin disorder caused by overactive oil glands which trap bacteria and result in clogged pores. These clogged pores may become pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, cysts, lesions, or nodules. All acne is different though there are at least four recognized acne causes. These are: heredity, hormonal changes, diet, and stress. Some acne causes can be managed. Heredity is the only cause that simply exists and cannot be changed. Hormones, particularly in women, can be regulated by birth control pills. In teenagers and young adults, avoiding foods that contain white flour or sugar can help reduce insulin levels which can affect hormones. Other dietary changes include, avoiding caffeine, processed foods, carbonated beverages, pasta, and fatty foods. Adding plenty of water, fresh fruits and vegetables, and natural, unprocessed foods to your diet can dramatically impact the skin. Stress can be managed too. Rather than allow your boss, work, relationships, time commitments, or health worries to cause stress, it is beneficial to add relaxation techniques and exercise to manage life stressors. Yoga, exercise, visualization, aromatherapy, and even hypnotherapy can all reduce stress and incidence of acne breakouts.

If natural treatments like maintaining a healthy diet, managing stress, getting plenty of rest, avoiding the sun, and maintaining a strict skin care regimen all fail to clear up acne, other avenues may need to be tried. A dermatologist can recommend prescription medications in oral or topical form. Antibiotics and retinoids are the most successful treatments for acne. Cosmetic treatments such as facials, dermabrasion, and laser treatments are also effective for reducing acne and minimizing acne. Acne causes can change over time, so a treatment that works for teen- hormone-related acne may not work for stress-related adult acne. Unfortunately, acne treatment can be a study in trial and error to find what works for you.

If all else fails, Accutane can be prescribed. Accutane is currently the only quasi-”cure” for acne. This much coveted (and despised) medication has potentially life-threatening side effects but it clears up acne for good in over 60% of acne cases. Accutane’s side effects are severe depression and birth defects. Ask your doctor if you are eligible for this controversial prescription medicine.
 

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Acne can be so mild that it is hardly noticeable or so severe that it can result in being devastating to the person’s self esteem. Some people do not even want to leave their home because of their condition, and so it can really end up being quite debilitating.

Causes

One of the biggest questions surrounding this skin condition is what causes it. There are actually a few answers to this question, but first it should be known that the myth that fatty and sugary foods cause acne is actually not true.

Basically acne occurs when the pores on the skin become clogged. Each separate pore is an opening to a canal known as a follicle, and when glands in the skin begin to produce too much oil the pores can end up blocked and will then begin to accumulate dirt and debris. As a result of this, usually but not always pimples will develop.

Acne can also be triggered by genetics, as family history plays a major role here. Hormonal changes related to menstrual periods or pregnancy, greasy or oily cosmetic products, certain medications, and high levels of humidity, all of these can trigger acne.

You will notice that you have acne if you have certain symptoms, including whiteheads, blackheads, cysts, redness on the skin, crusting of skin eruptions, or scarring on the skin.

Depending on how serious your condition is you may want to get treatment for it, and the best way to determine the appropriate treatment for you will be to speak to your doctor, or better yet a dermatologist. They will look at your skin and from this be able to assess the severity of your condition and decide on a treatment method.

Usually they will suggest a lifestyle change first, but there are various acne creams and lotions that are available which you can use to deal with your present acne and to prevent it from being so severe in the future. Medication may also be prescribed to help with your acne, but this should only be on the suggestion of a medical professional.

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The resulting block up of oil beneath the surface of the skin provides an ideal environment for bacteria.  The bacteria multiply and the skin area becomes red and inflamed resulting in what is commonly called a pimple.

The excess production of sebum is caused by the male hormone testosterone.  Testosterone is present in both males and females, but during puberty, the body changes the way it reacts to the presence of testosterone.  It is this abnormal reaction, characteristically appearing during adolescence, that causes the skin (especially on the face and upper torso) to become excessively oily.  By the early 20s, the body usually normalizes its reaction to testosterone and acne clears up.

Acne seems to be partly hereditary, but we don’t know exactly why some people are affected by it and others are not.  Some of the factors which seem to aggravate acne conditions include stress, diet, skin irritation, certain medications, and hormonal activities such as menstrual cycles.

Medications that are associated with acne include anabolic steroids used for bodybuilding, lithium, barbiturates, halogens, and androgens.  Dietary links seem to be mostly related to skim milk products.  Many people associate food like chocolate and fast food with pimples, but there is no statistical evidence that this type of food causes or aggravates acne.

Recently, scientific attention has been focusing on the possibility that narrowing hair follicles could be at least partially to blame for acne.  The hair follicles may become restricted due to several possible causes including excessive shedding of cells within the follicle, abnormal cell binding, or water retention which causes the skin to swell.  The narrower hair follicles prevent dead cells from being expelled from the body, causing an excessive buildup underneath the skin, which combined with sebum creates the conditions for acne.

Many people are tempted to pop or squeeze their pimples, but this may only serve to spread the bacteria to the surrounding skin area making the condition even worse than before.  Popping pimples may also lead to scarring which in severe cases can be permanent.

Simply touching the face can also make acne become worse.  It is a difficult habit to overcome — most of us touch our faces repeatedly throughout the day.  The problem for acne sufferers is that the hands also contain oils and bacteria which will exacerbate acne symptoms.  In fact, all objects that come into contact with the face must be clean.  This includes eyeglasses and telephone handsets.

Hair (especially long hair) also comes into contact with our faces so it is important to keep hair clean and oil free.  Clothing accessories like headbands or hats should be avoided or used as little as possible.

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