Acne Treatment

Acne Treatment

(Also call Acne spots, pimples or zits. The medical name is chronic inflammatory disorder of the pilosebaceous gland) comes in the form of pimples, blackheads, whiteheads and clogged pores. It can be any combination of these and usually is. It is an inflammatory skin condition which affects the pores of the face, chest, back, arms and legs and the oil glands attached to them.

Acne is a widespread skin disorder that affects over three-quarters of all teenagers and young adults; however the condition is not restricted to any age group.

Commonly known as pimples, it can occur as a mild to moderate case or severe cases that can lead to acne scarring if not treated on time. Acne is a physical change in the skin caused by a disease process in the sebaceous follicle. These are the glands in the skin that produce an oily substance called sebum. These glands are the sites of all acne lesions. Sebaceous glands are attached to hair follicles and are found mostly on the face, neck, back and chest.

The major effect of acne other than physical discomfort and damage, is the emotional and social impact on your life. Emotional effects can lead to mood changes, depression, social withdrawal and poor performance in school or at work. In most cases acne is simply in the form of plugged pores, but in severe cases, the pores can drain pus and blood, soiling of pillowcases and your clothing. Mild Acne is basically in the form of blackheads and whiteheads, pimples and lumps that appear on parts of your body where the sebum producing glands are mostly situated.

Other types of acne that are more serious then the ones mentioned ip to now are:

Pustule:

Pustule type acne is a dome-shaped, delicate lesion that usually contains pus and typically consists of a combination of white blood cells, dead skin cells, and bacteria. Pustule acne that forms over a sebaceous follicle usually has a hair in the center.

Nodule: A Nodule is defined as a small solid lesion slightly above the surface of the skin and has sandpaper feel to the affected area. Nodule acne frequently extends into deeper layers of the skin and may cause damage to the skin tissues that result in scarring. Nodular acne is a severe form of acne that may not respond to therapies other than laser.

Cyst: A cyst is a sac-like wound containing liquid or semi-liquid material which consists of white blood cells, dead cells, and bacteria. It is fairly larger than a pustule, and may also be severely inflamed. Like Nodule acne, a Cyst also extends into deeper layers of the skin. A Cyst may be very painful and can result in scarring.

Cysts and nodules often occur together in a severe form of acne called Nodulocystic.

Nodulocystic: The most serve form of acne that occurs together with Cysts and nodules. Nodulcystic is very often resistant to normal treatment and requires treatment with the use a laser therapy.

The cause of acne is unknown. Doctors think certain factors might cause it:

The hormone increase in teenage years (this can cause the oil glands to plug up more often)
Hormone changes during pregnancy
Starting or stopping birth control pills
Heredity (if your parents had acne, you might get it, too)
Some types of medicine
Greasy makeup.

Acne Treatment:
Acne is treated by doctors who work with skin problems (dermatologists). Treatment tries to:
Heal pimples
Stop new pimples from forming
Prevent scarring
Help reduce the embarrassment of having acne.

Early treatment is the best way to prevent scars. Your doctor may suggest over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription drugs. Some acne medicines are put right on the skin. Other medicines are pills that you swallow. The doctor may tell you to use more than one medicine.

Here are some ways to care for skin if you have acne:
Clean skin gently. Use a mild cleanser in the morning, evening, and after heavy workouts. Scrubbing the skin does not stop acne. It can even make the problem worse.
Try not to touch your skin. People who squeeze, pinch, or pick their pimples can get scars or dark spots on their skin.
Shave carefully. If you shave, you can try both electric and safety razors. With safety razors, use a sharp blade. Also, it helps to soften your beard with soap and water before putting on shaving cream. Shave lightly and only when you have to.
Stay out of the sun. Many acne drugs can make people more likely to sunburn. Being in the sun a lot can also make skin wrinkle and raise the risk of skin cancer.
Choose makeup carefully. All makeup should be oil free. Look for the word "noncomedogenic" on the label. This means that the makeup will not clog up your pores. But some people still get acne even if they use these products.

Some things can make acne worse:
Changing hormone levels in teenage girls and adult women 2 to 7 days before their period starts
Leaning on or rubbing the skin
Pressure from bike helmets, backpacks, or tight collars
Pollution and high humidity
Squeezing or picking at pimples
Hard scrubbing of the skin.

There are many myths about what causes acne. Dirty skin and stress do not cause acne. Also, chocolate and greasy foods do not cause acne in most people.