The Best Acne Ever

Acne is a condition of the skin characterized by clogging of pores because of excess production of sebum (oil from sebaceous glands). Pores are tiny openings in our skin where the hair follicle is found attached to the sebaceous glands. The glands leave sebum on hair follicles then transport it to the surface of the skin. These pores can be found throughout the skin except the palms of hands and soles of feet. When there are changes or outbreaks in the pore, acne occurs. Other common names for acne are pimples, spots and zits. Its scientific name is "acne vulgaris".

The exact cause of acne is not yet known. Although there are some factors that are linked to its appearance. Some of them are the following:

1. Genetics
When parents have acne, usually their children will develop acne as well. There is a high tendency to develop this skin condition if it runs in the family.

2. Hormonal Activity
The monthly menstrual cycle for women will increase the activity of estrogens together with the production of sebum. Also during puberty for example, an increase in the activity of androgens (male hormones), will cause the sebaceous glands to expand and create more sebum. Stressed out people also have increased hormone secretion from the adrenal glands.

3. Accumulation of Dead Skin Cells
Improper skin care or exposure to dust and dirt or pollution will cause clogging of pores.

4. Bacteria in the Pores
A type of bacteria called Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) irritates the skin and can cause acne.

5. Use of medications
Steroids or medications containing halogens, lithium or barbiturates may induce the formation of acne.

6. Diet
Consumption of instant breakfast drink, partially skimmed milk, sherbet, cream cheese and cottage cheese have been found to have an association with the appearance of acne. There is also a link between acne and diets high in highly processed food, or those rich in refined sugars. Some people also have allergies in seafood that can be a factor for an acne outbreak. Lack of vitamins A and E can also lead to acne.

When the hair follicles are clogged, the pore will eventually be raised and will form whiteheads or blackheads. These are called comedones, and are considered to be mild acne types and classified as non-inflammatory acne. Whiteheads are skin bumps that are closed comedones while blackheads are open comedones.

Inflammatory acne occurs when the whiteheads are inflamed or irritated creating red papules and pustules. Papules are small raised bumps which are red and tender. When it appears, there is usually an inflammation or infection in the pore. Similarly, pustules are red bumps but it has white pus at the tip.

When there are large, solid lumps beneath the skin's surface, these are called nodules. They are formed by secretions building up deep within the hair follicles. In addition, there are also cysts which are painful lumps filled with pus. Cysts are the kind of infection that causes deep scars.

There is no prevention technique that will avoid acne 100% but there are certain ways worth doing to reduce its number or the severity of the breakout. For those who have not yet experienced acne or for those who want to prevent the emergence of new ones, here are some tips to follow:

1. Wash the face twice a day
Washing will remove excess oil. It also clears the skin of dead skin cells. Do this only twice a day, as too much washing is bad for the skin. Choose a gentle cleanser that will not irritate the skin. As much as possible, buy special oil-free cleansers that can reduce oil in the surface of the skin.

2. Avoid scrubbing the face too hard
Scrubbing will irritate the skin and will cause it to be oversensitive. This will eventually result to blocking of the pores, which develops acne.

3. Use cosmetics that are noncomedogenic and nonacnegenic
Check the label and make sure that the make-up to be applied to the face does not clog pores (noncomedogenic) or does not cause pimples (nonacnegenic).

4. Avoid the use of oily pomades or hair gels
Oily hair touching the face can also cause acne. If these products need to be applied to the hair, consider pulling it back or sporting a short style to keep the oily hair away from the face.

5. Exercise regularly
Increasing blood circulation and allowing oxygen to penetrate into the skin will help prevent acne.

6. Drink plenty of water
Detoxify the body from within by drinking 64 ounces as a minimum daily requirement.

7. Avoid hot and humid environments
Stay away from poorly ventilated kitchens and gyms. If it is necessary, bring a pre-moistened towelette to wipe sweat off the face.

8. Wear loose fitting clothes when exercising
Tight clothes trap moisture and heat, and cause friction to the skin. Prevent chest and back acne by wearing loose-fitting cotton while sweating it out. Also take a shower after working out to remove the sweat and skin oils that are trapping dirt and bacteria into the pores.

9. Clean cosmetic brushes or sponges regularly
For most women, brushes and sponges touch the face very often. Preventing contamination or bacteria growth in these make-up tools will prevent acne.

10. Avoid stress
Acne usually appears before an important exam for students and during a problematic situation for adults. Resolve stressful situations by having a positive frame of mind. Eating right and getting enough sleep will also aid in reducing the stresses in life.

Most people regard having acne as a normal occurrence in life. This may be true to those who encountered only a small number of breakouts or very mild cases of blackheads and whiteheads. But for those that have severe or chronic acne, there are definite psychological and social concerns that affect these people.

Appearance of acne in teenagers or adolescents leads to loss of self-confidence or self-esteem. At a time when physical appearance or attractiveness is most important, experiencing the humiliation of acne breakouts will cause embarrassment and negative personal development. The following are a few actions that acne suffering teenagers tend to do to cope with the problem:

1. They avoid eye contact, becoming shy and reclusive.
2. Girls grow their hair very long or wear heavy make-up to cover their face.
3. They withdraw from social activities such as joining membership clubs or participating in sports.
4. They find it very hard to form new friendships, especially if they have to develop it with the opposite sex.
5. They usually have fear of negative appraisal from others, and in extreme cases, social phobia may escalate.
6. Some of them have poor academic performance due to absences or non-participation in group work.

Acne occurrence in adults is even more embarrassing. Normally, people expect to have grown out of breakouts by this time and if they still have acne, it will increase their negative self-image and diminish their self-respect. Here are some of the effects of adult acne:

1. Reduced career choices, which denies them for acceptance in jobs requiring good external appearance such as facing clients in sales or customer service.
2. Non-existent confidence which results to less success in job applications.
3. Discrimination among peers or bosses from work due to appearance.
4. Heightened shyness and lack of social skills.
5. Rising number of absences from work, therefore risking their jobs.

Severe acne cases in people will result in deep psychological conditions such as depression and even psychosis. Some of them have more than once contemplated suicide, and a small percentage proceed to do it.

The good news is that more than 90% of people respond to acne treatment. It is therefore critical to find out how to treat acne. Most people develop a bad habit of squeezing and picking the spots causing more inflammation and scarring. It is best to consult a dermatologist, who will develop a treatment program and monitor the results. Although no treatment will completely cure recurring acne, the aim is to improve those that are already present, prevent scarring, and to prevent future breakouts. Here are some of the common treatments available for acne:

1. Over-the-Counter Products
Over-the-counter creams can be bought from pharmacies to treat the mild cases of acne. These creams containing ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide usually have antibacterial properties to prevent the spread of acne. It also dries out the skin and speeds up the shedding of the surface layer of the dead skin. If the initial use causes redness and peeling, reduce immediately the frequency of use, and then gradually increase it as soon as the redness settles down. No home treatment works immediately. It will take weeks, even months to have significant results. If this treatment still has not worked for two months or if there is severe acne, then it is time to consult a doctor.

2. Tropical Treatments
Topical treatments may be prescribed by a doctor including the following:

- Azelaic Acid which is an alternative to benzoyl peroxide and will not make the skin sore.

- Retinoids are based on Vitamin A. They are applied once or twice daily, encouraging the skin's outer layer to peel off.

- Antibiotic Lotions that has the ability to control the skin's bacteria can be used. This treatment needs to be continuously applied for six months at least.

3. Oral Treatment
Oral treatments may also be prescribed including, but not limited to the following:

- Oral Antibiotic Tablets (tetracycline) should be taken on a daily basis for at least three months, although the benefits will usually appear on the fourth or fifth month. Often, there is limited success to this treatment because some strains of bacteria are resistant to common antibiotics. Because of this, benzoyl peroxide is often prescribed alongside with oral antibiotic tablets.

- Oral Contraceptives used by women may help them reduce acne. A typical combination of ethinylestradiol together with cyproterone acetate helps in suppressing male hormone activity.

- Oral Retinoid such as isotretinoin is a medicine which also exists in topical form (as discussed above). It dries up oily secretions and tends to be given to people with severe acne. It works even if there is stubborn acne, or the kind that is resistant to other drugs. Please note that proper care and guidance of a dermatology specialist is needed for this treatment because there are serious side-effects such as depression and liver disorders. Pregnant people are prohibited from taking this drug because of the possible dangers it can bring to an unborn baby.

After clearing up the acne, everyone has to deal with the skin's normal healing process involving the appearance of scars. There are certain medications or practices that may facilitate healing:

1. Wear sunscreen to prevent further damage by the sun.
2. Use tretinoin to hasten the skin's healing process.
3. Use of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids or Beta-Hydroxy Acids can also speed up the process.
4. Do not remove scabs because picking out scabs will further delay the healing of the skin. Scabs form a protective barrier to protect the process going on within. Pulling scabs off before the skin is ready will create more damage than good.

Severe scars use collagen injections to fill out the deep crevices of the face. Autologous fat transfer may also be used to correct deep defects. One of the most effective procedures for scar treatment is dermabrasion which uses a high-speed brush to remove skin on the surface and at the same time alter scar contour.