Seven things you
need to know about acne
1. You aren't what you eat... at
least when it comes to acne. Pizza, french fries and chocolate may not be
the healthiest foods you can eat, but they don't cause acne or make it worse.
2. Stress doesn't
cause acne. But it doesn't help it either. If you're stressed, talk
about your problems with friends, family or a professional.
3. You can't wash
away acne. Scrubbing your skin or washing your face many times a day won't
help your acne. In fact, it could irritate your skin. A good acne skin regimen
consisting of mild cleansing and topical treatment will help control acne.
4. You can
use a moisturizer on skin with acne. Be sure it's a
moisturizer that's non-comedogenic, which means it won't clog your pores. In
fact, any products you use on acne-prone skin should be non-comedogenic.
5. You can't catch
acne from anyone—except your mother or father. Acne isn't contagious,
but it does run in families. So if either of your parents had it as teenagers,
you're more likely to have acne, too.
6. Pimples don't
deserve a big squeeze. Squeezing pimples can cause scarring and lengthen the
time it takes for them to go away. You can, however, have blackheads or
whiteheads extracted by a dermatologist.
7. Acne is a
medical problem and your doctor can help. Your doctor or dermatologist is
the best qualified to diagnose and treat acne. See your professional first, even
if you think you have a mild case of acne. There's no reason to suffer from acne
when it can be controlled with everything from antibiotics to birth control
pills.
What is acne?
Acne (acne vulgaris)
is a skin disorder characterized by whiteheads (closed comedones), blackheads
(open comedones) and pimples (papules). It most often affects the face, but may
also appear on the neck, shoulder, chest and back.
Acne begins with hair
follicles, which contain oil-secreting (sebaceous) glands. In normal skin, oil
(sebum) from these glands is released on the surface of the skin through the
pores. When the sebaceous glands enlarge due to an increase in sebum, the pores
become clogged (blackheads and whiteheads) and eventually inflamed (pimples).
Who gets
acne?
While it's widely thought that acne is a problem mostly affecting
teenagers, adult acne is just as common, affecting 95% of the population at some
time in adulthood.
What causes
acne?
Overactive oil-producing glands, which contribute to clogged pores,
as well as genetic and hormonal factors play a role in the development of acne.
Specifically, the male hormones (androgens) are now believed to be an important
factor in acne development. The increased hormonal activities that come with
puberty contribute to the incidence of teenage acne.
Effective acne
treatments
Treating acne is a daily, long-term process that includes a
good skin-care regimen, topical treatments and the advice of a healthcare
professional, such as a dermatologist. Your doctor will suggest products or
prescribe medications containing ingredients widely used to control acne , such
as:
- Tretinoin
- Isotretinoin
- Antibiotics
- Birth control pills
- Benzoyl peroxide
- Salicylic acid
- Sulfur
- Resorcinol
Tretinoin is a
vitamin A derivative that has been used in the treatment of acne for more than
30 years. Because it actually works beneath the surface of the skin where acne
begins, only professionals can prescribe it. Tretinoin (most commonly known by
the trade name Retin-A®) is available in different strengths and has some side
effects, including making skin sensitive to sunlight. Ask your doctor if this
medication is right for you.
Isotretinoin
(commonly known as Accutane®) is generally prescribed for severe acne problems
and when acne doesn't respond to other treatments. It can have serious side
effects including birth defects.
Antibiotics are
prescribed for topical or oral use. The purpose of antibiotic acne treatment is
to reduce the normal skin bacteria called propionobacterium acnes that
contribute to acne. Oral antibiotics are often prescribed for more resistant
cases of acne. Tetracycline, minocycline, erythromycin and doxycycline are the
most frequently prescribed oral antibiotics.
Birth control
pills are prescribed to balance hormones and reduce acne caused by the
imbalance. Sometimes oral contraceptives can cause acne. If you start the Pill
and develop acne, your doctor may switch you to another kind. If you have acne
and birth control pills are prescribed as a treatment, you can expect to see
results in three to four months.
Sulfur, resorcinol and benzoyl
peroxide are all antibacterial and peeling agents, but benzoyl peroxide
can penetrate the pores. Your doctor can prescribe products with higher levels
of benzoyl peroxide than you'll find in over-the-counter products.
Salicylic acid
is a peeling agent that helps loosen dead skin cells and soften clogged pores.
Taking care of acne
with a good daily regimen
Acne treatment won't succeed without a good,
at-home skin care regimen. Your doctor will recommend the products and treatment
that's right for you. It will include a cleanser, topical treatment and frequent
use of a mask much like this Glytone regimen...
Cleanse twice a day with
Glytone Acne
Treatment Cleanser
After cleansing apply
Glytone 10% Benzoyl
Peroxide Acne Treatment Gel
Three times a week use
Glytone Sulfur Acne
Treatment Masque
This article is taken from Genesis
Pharmaceutical Website, used with permission.
