Acne- Causes, Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention

1. What is Acne?

Acne, which is a disease of the hair follicles of the face, chest, and back that affects all the teenager children during their puberty. The acne is not caused by bacteria, although bacteria play a role in acne development. It is not unusual for some women to develop acne in their mid to late 20s.

Acne Vulgaris (common acne) is typical teenager acne which is characterized by three types of lesions:
  • Blackhead
  • Inflammatory papule; and
  • Pimples
Acne appears on the skin as:
  • Occluded pores (blackheads or whiteheads)
  • Red bumps (pimples)
  • Pustules (bumps containing pus)
  • Cysts (boils of cystic acne)
One can do a lot to treat acne using products available at a cosmetic counter or drugs store that does not require a prescription. However, for tougher cases of acne, one should consult the physician for treatment options.

2. What causes Acne?

Acne occurs when the oil glands attached to the hair follicles are stimulated at the time of puberty or due to other hormonal changes. Oil is secreted on the skin for the lubrication and protection of the skin. An increase in oil production is a change in the manner in which the skin cells mature. The Plug can appear as a whitehead if it is covered by a thin layer of skin, or if it is exposed to the air, the darker exposed portion of the plug is called blackhead.

 That hair follicles which you plugged gradually enlarges, producing a bump. As that follicle enlarges, the wall may rupture, with the irritating substances and normal skin bacteria access into the deeper layer of the skin, ultimately producing inflammation which results in pimples, if inflammation is deeper then it forms a cyst. 

 In some people, the following may be contributing factors: 

  • Pressure: In some patients, pressure from chin straps, helmets, collars, suspenders and can aggravate acne.
  • Drugs: Some medications may cause worse acne, which may contain iodides, bromides, or oral or injected steroids that the bodybuilder takes.
  • Cosmetics: Some cosmetics and skin care products are pore clogging. Many brands of skin care products, it is important to read the list of ingredients and chose those products which have water listed first or second if one is concerned about acne.
  • Heredity: If your parents had severe acne, it is likely that your acne will be more difficult to control

3. What to do to get rid of acne?

Regularity and moderation are good things, but not everyone can sleep eight hours, and eat three healthy foods per day, and also drink plenty of water a day. The most useful changes that one can make is to never to pick or squeeze pimples. Playing with the pimples or popping it, makes the bumps stay redder and bumpier longer. People often scare from pimples or bumps, refer to its redness, but fortunately, it is not permanent. It just simply a mark that takes a few months to fade away.

4. Cleansing and Skin Care

  • Mild Cleansers: Wash your face once or twice a day with a mild cleansing war or liquid (Dove, Neutrogena, Basis, Purpose, and Cetaphil ) which will make the skin clean and minimize sensitivity and irritation.
  • Retinol: Not to be confused with the prescription medication Retin-A, this derivative of vitamin A can help promote skin peeling.
  • Exfoliating cleansers and masks: A variety of mild scrubs, exfoliants, and masks can be used. These products may contain salicylic acid in the concentration that makes it a very mild peeling agent. These products remove the outer layer of the skin and thus open pores. Products containing glycolic or alpha hydroxy acids are also gentle skin exfoliants. 

5. Reduce Excess Oil

One can not stop the oil gland from the production of the oil. Yes, it is possible to get rid of oil on the surface of the skin and reduce the appearance of shine. 
  • Use a gentle ton to wipe away oil. (There are many brands available in pharmacies, as well as from manufacturers of cosmetic lines.)
  • Products containing glycolic acid or one of the other alpha hydroxy acids are also helpful in clearing the skin by causing the superficial layer of the skin of the peel.
  • Mask containing sulfur and other ingredients drawn out facial oil.
  • Antibacterial pads containing benzoyl peroxide have the additional benefits of helping to wipe away oil.