By Jon Leger
There are many varieties of acne and many different treatment plans. Technically called acne vulgaris, this skin disease affects millions of Americans annually. Nearly 85% of people develop acne at some time between the ages of 12-25 years.
Almost everyone suffers from outbreaks of pimples at some point in life, making acne one of the most common skin disorders. Understanding the facts about acne may be the first step towards finding a successful acne treatment and controlling your acne.
Many teenagers outgrow their acne, but it is common for some women to need treatment into their late thirties.
What Causes Acne?
No one knows for sure exactly what causes acne, or why it usually begins in adolescence. Since the medical knowledge about acne is still relatively small, many misconceptions and rumors about what causes acne exists. No one factor causes acne.
Acne lesions develop in the oil-producing structures of the skin called pilosebaceous follicles. Oil secretions build up beneath the blocked pore, providing a perfect environment for the skin bacteria Propionibacterium acnes to multiply uncontrolled. For unknown reasons skin cells of acne patients stick together in the pore (this may be made worse by grease, pomades, makeup, etc.).
Deeper still acne causes cysts which are the worst form of acne and carry the possibility of permanent scarring. Genetics also play a role in the development of acne and thus there is a tendency for the skin disease to run in families.
There are other skin disorders that may resemble acne, but are unrelated.
Acne and Bacteria
Pimples are often caused by Propionebacterium acnes, a common bacterium on the skin that feeds on sebum. The bacteria cause the surrounding tissues to become inflamed and acne is formed. The acne bacteria feeds off this mixture which leads to inflamed conditions.
Acne-causing bacteria are anaerobic, meaning they cannot survive in an oxygenated environment. Bacteria called Corynebacterium acnes, which cause skin fats to break down into irritating chemicals, can also directly contribute to an outbreak.
Acne in Teenagers
Due to the hormonal changes they experience, teenagers are more likely to develop acne. Most teens who develop acne have the milder form, called non- inflammatory acne. Hormonal disorders can complicate acne in girls.
If are a teenager and you have acne, you have a lot of company. About 80 percent of all teenagers develop acne, but the disease may also start as late as age 25 or 30, particularly in women.
Acne in Adults
Just when you thought your "bad skin" days were over, adult acne strikes. Just when you've successfully navigated the ravages of adolescence on your skin, you wake up and find acne.
There are various causes of adult acne. The new trend in medical circles is to discuss acne as a hormonal imbalance. Hormonal changes related to pregnancy or menstrual periods can cause or contribute to acne. Also, hormonal changes related to starting or stopping birth control pills can also cause acne. Excess emotional strain on the body can contribute to hormonal changes that have been known to cause acne as well.
Adult acne is different from teenage acne and therefore your treatment approach should be different.
Severe Acne
Boys have more severe acne and develop it more often than girls. Severe acne can cause scars which will never disappear. All but the most severe grades of acne are controllable although not curable. The most severe type of acne consists of cysts (closed sacs) and nodules (hard swellings).
Vigorous treatment of more severe types of acne can help prevent facial scarring.
Treatment of Acne
There is a myriad of products sold for the treatment of acne, many of them without any scientifically proven effects.
The primary products used to treat acne are a pharmaceutical grade glycolic acid solution and a topical antibiotic. By applying a chemical solution to the skin, known as a chemical peel, mild scarring and certain types of acne may be treated.
Non-prescription medications are available over the counter to treat mild forms of acne. Topical antibiotics are commonly used in the treatment of acne and are often prescribed along with a retinoid or benzoyl peroxide. Topical retinoids are used in the treatment of both inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne.
The cost and duration of acne treatment with topical applications and oral antibiotics make standard therapy far from ideal. This is why researchers have been studying the effects of specific peak wavelengths of light in the treatment of acne, with very successful results.
Acne Medications
Benzoyl peroxide inhibits the bacteria that cause acne. As with other acne medications, overexposure to extreme wind or cold or use of irritating skin care products may aggravate the skin.
Most acne medications only mask the symptoms of acne and do nothing to stop the real cause of acne. There are even herbal based acne medications, such as tea tree oil.
Today with proper treatment, acne can usually be dealt with successfully and controlled before it becomes totally unsightly. If a vigorous approach of study and application is made, the effects of acne can be greatly reduced and in some cases overcome entirely.
Jonathan Leger runs a website devoted to [http://www.facne.info]acne treatment and prevention.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com
Monday, August 2, 2010
The First Step To Curing Acne
By Naweko San-Joyz
The first step to curing acne is knowing what type of acne you have. This information gives you precious insight to what may have actually triggered the acne outset. Once you know your acne trigger, you are one step closer to removing the acne activator and living acne free.
There are numerous types of acne, which could explain why it is so cumbersome if not seemingly impossible for the acne sufferer to find a cure. Looking at the list below, you may be surprised discover that you acne is not caused by stress, but your new bottle of designer perfume.
·Adult Acne Sudden onset, or continuation of acne, during adulthood. The cause may be hormone imbalances, stress, pollution or medications. Studies have shown a direct link between hormone imbalances and the onset of acne in women ages 30 to 40 years old.
Acne cosmetic This form may be rare but is triggered by use of cosmetics with acne aggravating ingredients such as lanolins, isopropyl mysristate and some pigments.
Acne conglobata Severe hereditary acne that can cause scarring on the face and back.
Acne detergens Acne resulting from abrasive cleansers.
Acne excoriée (Mirror Addict Acne)- Psychosomatic disease caused by constant picking of the face and/or body.
Acne fulminans (Too Much Testosterone Acne) Acute and severe form of acne accompanied by symptoms like fever and joint pain. This acne is common among males. Traits include: abrupt onset of acne, inflammatory and ulcerated nodular acne on the chest and back, severe acne scarring, fluctuating fever, painful joints, loss of appetite or weight, and high white blood cell count. This acne is caused by use of testosterone, used legally or illegally to enhance muscle growth. Over the counter treatments or not effective. If you don't need the extra testosterone for your health, don't take it.
Acne keloidalis This acne occurs with people of African descent. It is characterized by firm papules and pustules at the nape of the neck.
Acne mallorca Acne caused by sunbathing.
Acne mechanica Acne provoked by mechanical irritation such as tight, restricting cloths or straps.
Acne medicamentosa (Drug Induced Acne) Acne brought on by medications. Common culprits include phenytoin (Dilantin), isoniazid, lithium, bromides, iodides, androgens and corticosteroids. Lithium worsens acne vulgaris and can bring on acne in persons who have never experienced acne.
Oral contraceptives containing norgestrel or norethindrone may also induce or worsen acne.
Over the counter drugs containing potassium iodide, bromide (cold remedies) and chlorine (chloral hydrate) may cause acne with very small pustules.
Acne neonatorum Infant acne triggered by hormones from the mother transferred to the newborn. This acne usually disappears without treatment.
Acne pomade Acne occurring with persons who use pomades or thick oils daily on their hair. This oil travels from the hair to the forehead where it clogs pores and creates acne lesions. Avoiding touching the face with oiled hands and limiting use of synthetic oils on the hairs usually remedies pomade acne.
Chloracne Acne created by constant exposure to hydrocarbons in motor oil and insecticides.
Imaginary acne Imagining acne when there is actually no acne.
Pitch acne Lesions created by coal tars or dandruff tar shampoos.
Premenstrual acne Acne provoked by hormonal changes prior to menstruation.
Steroid acne Inflammation of hair follicles caused by internal steroids or from topical corticosteroids on the face. Steroid induced acne appears as red papules and pustules concentrated in the area where the steroid was applied. Steroids thin the outer layer of the skin and make the hair follicles more susceptible to rupture. Lesions usually leave after steroid use ends.
Tropical acne Acne experienced by some World War II soldiers in the tropics who developed severe acne with horrible scarring.
Health author and Stanford University graduate Naweko San-Joyz lovingly writes from her home in San Diego. Her works include “Acne Messages: Crack the code of your zits and say goodbye to acne” (ISBN: 0974912204) and the upcoming work “Skinny Fat Chicks, Why we’re still not getting this dieting thing” (ISBN: 0974912212) for release in June of 2005. For useful acne self-help articles visit http://www.Noixia.com
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com
The first step to curing acne is knowing what type of acne you have. This information gives you precious insight to what may have actually triggered the acne outset. Once you know your acne trigger, you are one step closer to removing the acne activator and living acne free.
There are numerous types of acne, which could explain why it is so cumbersome if not seemingly impossible for the acne sufferer to find a cure. Looking at the list below, you may be surprised discover that you acne is not caused by stress, but your new bottle of designer perfume.
·Adult Acne Sudden onset, or continuation of acne, during adulthood. The cause may be hormone imbalances, stress, pollution or medications. Studies have shown a direct link between hormone imbalances and the onset of acne in women ages 30 to 40 years old.
Acne cosmetic This form may be rare but is triggered by use of cosmetics with acne aggravating ingredients such as lanolins, isopropyl mysristate and some pigments.
Acne conglobata Severe hereditary acne that can cause scarring on the face and back.
Acne detergens Acne resulting from abrasive cleansers.
Acne excoriée (Mirror Addict Acne)- Psychosomatic disease caused by constant picking of the face and/or body.
Acne fulminans (Too Much Testosterone Acne) Acute and severe form of acne accompanied by symptoms like fever and joint pain. This acne is common among males. Traits include: abrupt onset of acne, inflammatory and ulcerated nodular acne on the chest and back, severe acne scarring, fluctuating fever, painful joints, loss of appetite or weight, and high white blood cell count. This acne is caused by use of testosterone, used legally or illegally to enhance muscle growth. Over the counter treatments or not effective. If you don't need the extra testosterone for your health, don't take it.
Acne keloidalis This acne occurs with people of African descent. It is characterized by firm papules and pustules at the nape of the neck.
Acne mallorca Acne caused by sunbathing.
Acne mechanica Acne provoked by mechanical irritation such as tight, restricting cloths or straps.
Acne medicamentosa (Drug Induced Acne) Acne brought on by medications. Common culprits include phenytoin (Dilantin), isoniazid, lithium, bromides, iodides, androgens and corticosteroids. Lithium worsens acne vulgaris and can bring on acne in persons who have never experienced acne.
Oral contraceptives containing norgestrel or norethindrone may also induce or worsen acne.
Over the counter drugs containing potassium iodide, bromide (cold remedies) and chlorine (chloral hydrate) may cause acne with very small pustules.
Acne neonatorum Infant acne triggered by hormones from the mother transferred to the newborn. This acne usually disappears without treatment.
Acne pomade Acne occurring with persons who use pomades or thick oils daily on their hair. This oil travels from the hair to the forehead where it clogs pores and creates acne lesions. Avoiding touching the face with oiled hands and limiting use of synthetic oils on the hairs usually remedies pomade acne.
Chloracne Acne created by constant exposure to hydrocarbons in motor oil and insecticides.
Imaginary acne Imagining acne when there is actually no acne.
Pitch acne Lesions created by coal tars or dandruff tar shampoos.
Premenstrual acne Acne provoked by hormonal changes prior to menstruation.
Steroid acne Inflammation of hair follicles caused by internal steroids or from topical corticosteroids on the face. Steroid induced acne appears as red papules and pustules concentrated in the area where the steroid was applied. Steroids thin the outer layer of the skin and make the hair follicles more susceptible to rupture. Lesions usually leave after steroid use ends.
Tropical acne Acne experienced by some World War II soldiers in the tropics who developed severe acne with horrible scarring.
Health author and Stanford University graduate Naweko San-Joyz lovingly writes from her home in San Diego. Her works include “Acne Messages: Crack the code of your zits and say goodbye to acne” (ISBN: 0974912204) and the upcoming work “Skinny Fat Chicks, Why we’re still not getting this dieting thing” (ISBN: 0974912212) for release in June of 2005. For useful acne self-help articles visit http://www.Noixia.com
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com
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