Acne vulgaris (commonly called acne) is a skin
disease caused by changes in the pilosebaceous units (skin structures
consisting of a hair follicle and its associated sebaceous gland). Acne
happens when oil (sebaceous) glands come to life around puberty
stimulated by male hormones from the adrenal glands of both boys and
girls.
Acne is most common during adolescence, affecting
more than 85% of teenagers, and frequently continues into adulthood. It
develops as a result of blockages in follicles and occurs on the face,
as well as the neck, chest, back, shoulders, and upper arms. Acne can
be disfiguring and upsetting to the patient.
Acne has nothing to do with not washing your
face. Although it is not curable, it is controllable; proper treatments
can help you to feel and look better and may prevent scars. Acne is a
common skin disease that causes pimples. However it is not just a
problem for teenagers, it can affect people from ages 10 through 40.
One myth is that eating greasy foods like french fries or pizza,
chomping on chocolate, or drinking sodas causes acne. Rather it
develops when the hair follicle of skin gets plugged by over production
of sebum, dead cells and become infected by bacteria. Acne can have a
short-term, potentially lasting psychological effect. It may cause you
considerable emotional distress but there is a range of treatment
options to help you tackle the problem. Acne in young women tends to be
more random and linked to hormone changes, such as the menstrual cycle.
Treatment
Treatments for acne include medicines and creams.
Treatment choice depends upon whether the acne is mild, moderate, or
severe. Generally the treatment will last about 6 months.
Treatment is aimed at reducing the production of
excess amounts of sebum, preventing the development of comedowns and
killing the bacteria responsible for the infection. There are many
products available for the treatment of acne, many of which are without
any scientifically proven effects. Generally speaking, successful
treatments show little improvement within the first two weeks, instead
taking a period of approximately three months to improve and start
flattening out.
Acne will generally reappear quite soon after the
end of treatment—days later in the case of topical applications, and
weeks later in the case of oral antibiotics. No matter what special
treatments your dermatologist may use, remember that you must continue
proper skin care. Acne treatment for mild cases usually involves
self-care measures, such as washing your skin daily with a gentle
cleanser and using an over-the-counter acne cream.
Acne treatment for severe cases usually includes
one or more prescription medications. Acne treatments work by reducing
oil production, speeding up skin cell turnover, fighting bacterial
infection, reducing the inflammation or doing all four. With most
prescription acne treatments, you may not see results for four to eight
weeks, and your skin may get worse before it gets better.
Types of acne treatments include: Topical
treatments. If your acne doesn't respond to these treatments, you may
want to see a doctor or dermatologist to get a stronger prescription
lotion. Alternative treatments for acne focus on self care: proper
cleansing to keep the skin oil-free; eating a well-balanced diet high
in fiber, zinc, and raw foods; and avoiding alcohol, dairy products,
tobacco, caffeine, sugar, processed foods, and foods high in iodine,
such as salt.
The aims of treatment are to prevent new spots
forming, to improve those already present, and to prevent scarring.
Antibiotics do not prevent pores from becoming blocked so treatment to
prevent blackheads, such as benzoyl peroxide, is often also prescribed
at the same time. Some types of oral contraceptive tablets help women
who have acne. It tends to be prescribed to people with severe forms of
acne that have proved resistant to other treatments. Expect to use your
treatments for at least two months before you see much improvement.
Some topical treatments may dry or irritate the skin when you start
using them. An oil-free moisturizer should help, but you may also have
to cut down on the frequency with which you apply the treatments. Safe,
effective treatments are out there, but sometimes it can be a little
tricky working out what's going to work for you.
Conclusion
Acne seems to affect men and women in different
ways. Young men are more likely to have a more serious form of acne. As
women get older, acne often gets better. For many women, acne can be an
upsetting illness. But you don’t have to wait to outgrow acne or to let
it run its course.
Today, almost every case of acne can be resolved.
You should never try to drain or remove your acne by squeezing or
picking. This can lead to infection, worsen your acne, and cause
scarring.
At present there is no cure for acne, although
the available treatments can be very effective in preventing the
formation of new spots and scarring. For some, acne can be a bit of
hassle but for others it can be devastating.
The important thing to remember is that all types
of acne can be well controlled by safe and effective treatment. So,
whether it's a few annoying pimples or more severe acne that is getting
you down, face up to acne with the right information and you'll be on
the road to recovery getting the treatment you need.
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Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/acne-articles/
treating-acne-466723.html About the Author
married,father of two growing boys. Living in
Ontario, Canada. | 
