Acne Information : Facts, Prevention and Treatment

Acne is common skin condition marked by plugged pores. It can be in the form of inflamed pimples, blackheads, whiteheads or deeper lumps. Acne is generally present on skin of face, neck, back, chest and shoulders. This is condition, seen in teenagers but some people get it even up to 40 years of age.

The important fact about acne is it can not be cured rather it can be treated to keep its pustules at bay. If not treated properly, acne can lead to scarring.

Formation of Acne:

 Testosterone is the hormone which is responsible for the formation of acne. It is present in both males and females. Cycle of acne formation begins when at the time of puberty, production of this hormone increases. Then in the next step, it gets transformed into dihydrotesterone by the skin. This substance stimulates the sebaceous glands, present in the skin which produces sebum in more quantity. This sebum produced, prevents the dead skin cells from shedding and these dead cells make a cluster in the pore which makes it enlarged and plugged.

Formation of acne is regarded as skin defect in clinical term and is regarded as retention hyperkeratosis. In this disorder, skin cells are produced with faster speed than normal but dead skin cells are not shed in that speed. It is a reason behind sticking of dead skin cells and hence plugging of skin cells. Then along with dead cells and sebum, other things like bacteria and debris also get trapped in the pore. It leads to acne lesions and blemishes.

 Type of Acne:

Acne can appear in several forms. Teenage acne can be whitehead or closed comedones, blackheads or open comedones and pimples. If acne appears before the puberty age or before first period, it is called pre-pubertal acne. Cystic acne is the severe, deep, pus-filled acne. Cystic acne is more prevalent in males. Acne developing later in life due to several other reasons related to change in hormones like childbirth, menopause or stopping of pills. This type of acne is known as adult acne.

Acne can be inflammatory or non-inflammatory. Blackheads and whiteheads are non-inflammatory acnes. Dead cells can not escape the from skin surface as it is the clogged acne. Blackhead is the next step from whitehead. When whitehead gets opened up due to pressure of mass of dead cells and debris, it becomes blackhead. It gets black color due to the oxidation of oil and melanin of dead cells.

Red pimples, you often see, are a form of inflamed acne. When whitehead is not able to change into blackhead, it expels plug and causes inflammation. Wall of pores gets cracked and redness, swelling and pain occur. It is a very harassing situation.

How can acne be prevented?

You can keep acne at bay by following some simple measures. First wash your face twice a day religiously with a mild soap or cleanser, to avoid buildup of acne.

If you have acne, do not rub your skin harshly as it irritates acne. Whatever cosmetic, you apply on your face should be oil-free. Keep your hair also clean and do not pick or squeeze acne.

Some Facts about acne:

Acne can appear on dry skin also contrary to misconception that acne appears on oily skin only. You just cannot cure acne rather you can treat them to control breakouts. Sunrays cannot treat acne rather it will increase oil production and aggravating the acne. You have to take care of your skin properly and take adequate diet and try to avoid those foods which can cause acne. Do not touch acne as it will increase infection.

Acne Treatment:

Medical treatment of acne is needed only in severe cases of stubborn acne. In most of the cases, it can be treated with natural therapy and right skin care. Natural treatment involves use of homemade remedies which are safe and very effective.

The main aim of acne drug is to kill acne bacteria on the skin surface and hair follicles. It removed blackheads and open hair follicles. It soothes the acne inflammation. Most of the drugs have one active compound like Benzoyl Peroxide and a medium in which these compounds are dissolved. They are available in the form of gel or lotion.