Acne Treatment and Community

Acne is pimples – those red lumps in or under the skin that many young people get when their hormones start getting active around puberty. It is usually at its worst between 11 and 18 years of age, but for some people acne can still be a problem in their 20s.

Acne, oftens thought to be  only a teenager’s skin problem, is actually a condition that can affect adults both male or female, although it generally begins during puberty. Taking a proactive approach to treating acne is very important. Your daily skin care regime, along with the acne treatment or product you and your dermatologist select, are key steps in your fight to eliminate pimples and curing acne.

Causes of acne

The process by which a pimple develops is highly intricate. While we do know that a pore collapses on itself and blocks sebum (oil) from escaping, we do not fully understand why this process takes place in one sebaceous gland versus another.

Causes of adult acne and teen acne may include hormones, diet, evolutionary biology, vitamin deficiency, stress, and more. The real explanation may be a complex mix of many of these factors. Since we do not know what causes pimples, our time is better spent finding a tested and effective treatment.

Symptoms

The common symptoms of acne include persistent, recurrent red spots or swellings on the skin known as pimples. The pimples become inflamed and get filled with pus. The pimples usually occur on the face, chest, shoulders, neck, or upper portion of the back.

Some of the other symptoms include dark spots with open pores at the center, which are known as blackheads, bulged spots under the skin without openings, which are known as whiteheads, and red swellings or lumps filled with pus, which are known as pustules. The pustules can develop from blackheads or whiteheads. Inflamed fluid-filled lumps under the skin known as cysts are also a symptom of acne. These cysts can become as large as an inch across.

Treatment

Home treatment:

It is important to keep spot-prone areas clean, so wash the affected area twice a day with an unperfumed cleanser.The skin needs a certain amount of oil to maintain its natural condition, so avoid aggressive washing with strong soaps. There are a number of over-the-counter remedies available from pharmacies to treat mild acne. These usually contain antibacterial agents such as benzoyl peroxide (eg Oxy and Clearasil Max).

As well as its antibacterial effects, benzoyl peroxide can dry out the skin and encourage it to shed the surface layer of dead skin. Together, these effects make it harder for pores to become blocked and for infection to develop. Benzoyl peroxide can cause redness and peeling, especially to start with. This tends to settle down if you reduce the number of times you use it. You can then build up your use gradually.

Doctors suggest the following to clear up mild acne:

•    Get a nonprescription acne medicine and apply regularly. Over-the-counter drugs containing sulfur, resorcinol, salicylic acid, and benzoyl peroxide, are all effective for treating mild acne.

•    Use ordinary hygiene on affected areas, washing your face once or twice daily with your usual soap or cleanser. Deodorant soaps may be used, but they are of no particular value for acne.

•    Do not scrub or use a loofa. Friction makes acne worse.

•    Do not pick or squeeze. This may worsen scarring.

If home treatments do not work, acne can be treated effectively by your dermatologist. Options may include:

•    Topical treatments such as retinoids (tretinoin, tazarotene, or adapalene) or antibiotics (benzoyl peroxide, clindamycin)

•    Oral antibiotics

•    Hormonal medications like oral contraceptives

Article Tags: Acne Treatment, Benzoyl Peroxide

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