Article: Acne
What is acne?
Acne vulgaris, or common acne, is a skin lesion that occurs when oils from the sebaceous glands (occurring in the skin of all mammals) and pore blockage stops hair follicles from reaching the surface of the skin. As skin cells lining the pores shed, the skin becomes inflamed creating reddish bumps called pimples.
There are many causes of acne, both environmental and physical. Affecting adolescents and some adults, acne occurs on the face, back, chest, upper arms and shoulders. If irritated, pimples can lead to visible acne scarring. There are, however, many treatments that an acne-sufferer can try including medicated skin care products and natural remedies.
What causes acne?
It seems that acne is nature’s way of responding to the hazards of modern living. Acne occurs when the skin has overactive sebaceous glands which produce too much oil. The skin’s pores can become plugged with oil and dead skin cells. When the pores are blocked, hair follicles cannot break through, leading to a build up of bacteria which cause the pimple.
A combination of physical and environmental factors can lead to acne. These include family history, hormones and stress. During puberty, hormones are high and can cause acne in adolescents. Some medications which affect your hormone levels, such as steroids or the contraceptive pill, have also been linked to acne.
There are many myths about diet and acne. Chocolate does not cause acne, but foods that are high in carbohydrates, refined sugars and processed chemicals can encourage acne.
Another misconception is that acne is caused by poor hygiene. Acne is not dirt and while acne can be exacerbated by poor hygiene, it is not the sole cause.
Acne is unsightly and irritating. People who suffer from acne can also suffer from low self-esteem, particularly during adolescence. If you have acne, do not scratch your pimples. Scratching inflames the pimple further and increases your risk of developing acne scars.
Acne treatments
While there is no cure-all for acne, there are many acne treatments on the market. Most of these products target the skin itself. You should consider the potential side-effects of each treatment before use.
Exfoliating the affected skin with a body scrub will help prevent the build up of dead skin cells on the top layer of skin. Your skin can, however, become dry and flaky. Use a moisturiser to help re-hydrate your skin. There are a variety of gels and creams available that break down the dead skin cells in the pimple area, but can also cause irritation, dryness and redness.
For acne that doesn’t respond to typical treatment, you can undergo hormonal treatments. Further, dermatologists can use cortisone injections on the affected areas. Cortisone reduces redness and inflammation and has minimal side effects, but can be quite expensive.
Herbal and natural treatments for acne are very popular. Olive oil, aloe vera, green tea and tee tree oil are proven natural remedies for acne.
Although acne can be difficult to manage, if you maintain a healthy lifestyle and good hygiene, your acne may be easier to control. Remember to check all medication you plan to use on your skin and be aware of potential side-effects. If symptoms persist, see your doctor.