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Top : Skin Hair Nails : Acne

Acne is a disorder resulting from the action of hormones on the skin's oil glands which leads to plugged pores and outbreaks of lesions commonly called pimples or zits. Acne lesions usually occur on the face, neck, back, chest, and shoulders. Nearly 17 million people in the United States have acne, making it the most common skin disease. Although acne is not a serious health threat, severe acne can lead to disfiguring, permanent scarring, which can be upsetting to people who are affected by the disorder.

Acne affects almost everyone — more than 90% of all adolescents, nearly 50% of all adult women and 25% of all adults. It is one of the most widespread medical conditions in the world, however there is still no cure. Not everyone outgrows acne. Altough acne mostly affects teenagers, it is a condition that also affects men and women into adulthood. Common types of acne include blackheads, whiteheads, and pimples.

• A blackhead is an open comedo or a noninflammatory with a dark top and firmly packed contents. The trapped sebum and bacteria partially open to the surface and turn black due to melanin, the skin's pigment. Blackheads can last for a long time because the contents very slowly drain to the surface.
• A whitehead is just the opposite of a blackhead in which it is a closed comedo or a non-inflammatory with a white center. The trapped sebum and bacteria stay below the skin surface.
• A pimple is a small pointed elevation of the skin that may or may not contain pus. The formation of pimples is frequently associated with infection, irritation, or overactivity of the sebaceous and sweat glands. Repeated eruptions of pimples are often termed acne.

Causes of Acne:

Acne is caused by overactive oil glands that are stimulated by the hormone androgen mixing with dead skin cells, cause acne. This is particularly true during the teenage years when androgen production is at its highest.

Acne is commonly wrongly accused of being caused by factors such as:

• Dirt or surface oil - Cleaning the skin too often may aggravate acne and can cause flare-ups. Hand wash skin twice a day with a mild soap, pat dry, and use appropriate acne treatment. One common myth is said that acne is a result of poor hygiene and this is not true.
• Poor diet - Scientific studies have found that there is not a correlation between diet and acne breakouts. In other words, eating pizza, chocolate, or potato chips will not result in a breakout in the morning. However, if you find that certain foods affect your skin negatively, this may be the case of a food allergy so you should try to avoid them.
• Stress does not cause acne.

Besides general factors that you cannot control, there are some factors that you could engage in that would only make your acne problem worse. Those factors include:

• Changing hormone levels in adolescent girls and adult women 2 to 7 days before their menstrual period starts
• Friction caused by leaning on or rubbing the skin
• Pressure from bike helmets, backpacks, or tight collars
• Environmental irritants, such as pollution and high humidity
• Squeezing or picking at blemishes
• Hard scrubbing of the skin.

Cures / Preventions for Acne:

Acne is a treatable condition. There is no need to wait for skin to clear up on its own. If the treatment you are trying is not working, it may be time to see a dermatologist. There are many acne treatments available.

Treatment for Acne:

Acne is often treated by dermatologists (doctors who specialize in skin problems). These doctors treat all kinds of acne, particularly severe cases. It is not recommended to see a dermatologists if your acne is not severe. Control of acne is an ongoing process in which treatments work by preventing new acne breakouts. The goals of treatments are to heal existing lesions, stop new lesions from forming, prevent scarring, and minimize the psychological stress and embarrassment caused by this disease. Drug treatment is aimed at reducing several problems that play a part in causing acne such as abnormal clumping of cells in the follicles, increased oil production, bacteria, and inflammation. Depending on the extent of the person's acne, the doctor will recommend one of several over-the-counter (OTC) medicines or prescription medicines that are topical (applied to the skin) or systemic (taken by mouth).

Some types of treatment include:

• Topical creams, gels, or lotions with vitamin A acid-like drugs, benzoyl peroxide, or antibiotics to help unblock the pores and reduce bacteria.
• Injections of corticosteroids may be used for treating large red bumps (nodules). This may help them go away quickly.
• Microdermabrasion may be used to remove the upper layers of the skin improving irregularities in the surface, contour, and generating new skin.
• Light chemical peels with salicylic acid or glycolic acid help to unblock the pores, open the blackheads and whiteheads, and stimulate new skin growth.
• Birth Control Pills has been known to help treat acne. Birth control pills may significantly improve acne, and may be used specifically for the treatment of acne. It is also important to know that oral antibiotics may decrease the effectiveness of birth control pills. This is uncommon, but possible, especially if you notice break-through bleeding. As a precautionary measure use a second form of birth control.
• Women may also use female hormones or medications that decrease the effects of male hormones to help their acne.
• Photodynamic therapy using the blue wavelength of light can be helpful in treating acne as well.