How to treat acne?
400 words
What is acne?
Acne is a skin condition that occurs due to the overproduction of oil by the oil glands of the skin. Acne is characterized by the presence of pimples, blackheads and whiteheads.
- Pimples are small skin swellings that sometimes contain pus.
- Blackheads are dark formations on the skin due to an accumulated mixture of oil and cells in a blocked skin pore.
- Whiteheads are small flesh-or white-colored bumps due to skin pore blockage.
- Cysts are closed sacs beneath the skin or deeper that contain fluid or semisolid substances
Acne can appear on the skin as any of the following:
- congested pores
- whiteheads
- blackheads
- pimples (“zits”),
- pustules, or
What causes acne?
No one factor causes acne. Acne happens when oil (sebaceous) glands come to life around puberty, stimulated by male hormones from the adrenal glands of both boys and girls. Sebum (oil) is a natural substance which lubricates and protects the skin, and under certain circumstances, cells that are close to the surface block the openings of sebaceous glands and cause a buildup of oil underneath. This oil stimulates bacteria (which live on everyone’s skin and generally cause no problems) to multiply and cause surrounding tissues to become inflamed.
Inflammation near the skin’s surface produces a pustule; deeper inflammation results in a papule (pimple); deeper still and it’s a cyst. If the oil breaks though to the surface, the result is a “whitehead.” If the oil accumulates melanin pigment or becomes oxidized, the oil changes from white to black, and the result is a “blackhead.” Blackheads are therefore not dirt, and do not reflect poor hygiene.
Here are some factors that don’t usually cause acne, at least by themselves:
- Heredity: With the exception of very severe acne, most people do not have the problem exactly as their parents did. Almost everyone has some acne at some point in their life.
- Food: Parents often tell teens to avoid pizza, chocolate, greasy and fried foods, and junk food. While these foods may not be good for overall health, they don’t cause acne or make it worse. Although some recent studies have implicated milk and dairy products in aggravating acne, these findings are far from established.
- Dirt: As mentioned above, “blackheads” are oxidized oil, not dirt. Sweat does not cause acne, therefore, it is not necessary to shower instantly after exercise for fear that sweat will clog pores. On the other hand, excessive washing can dry and irritate the skin.
- Stress: Some people get so upset by their pimples that they pick at them and make them last longer. Stress, however, does not play much of a direct role in causing acne.
- Hormones: Some women break out cyclically, but most women (and men) don’t. Some oral contraceptive pills may help relieve acne, but unless a woman has abnormal menstrual periods and excessive hair growth, it’s unlikely that hormones play much of a role in causing acne. Pregnancy has a variable effect on acne; some women report that they clear up completely, and others get worse, while many others see no overall change.
1. Acne develops most often on the face, neck, chest, shoulders, or back and can range from mild to severe. It can last for a few months, many years, or come and go your entire life.
2. Mild acne usually causes only whitehead and blackhead. At times, these may develop into an infection in the skin pore.
3. Severe acne can produce hundreds of pimples that cover large areas of skin. Cystic lesions are pimples that are large and deep. These lesions are often painful and can leave scars on your skin.
4. Acne can lead to low self-esteem and sometimes depression. These conditions need treatment along with the acne.
Here are guidelines to solving acne naturally:
- Avoid the worst triggers of acne; pasteurized dairy products, fried and deep-fried foods, hydrogenated oils, sugar, salty snacks, preservatives like sulphates, and highly processed foods that contain gluten.
- Eat mainly whole, unprocessed foods, with vegetables making up at least 50% of the total volume of your diet. Specifics of your ideal diet depend on a variety of factors, including your body type, ethnic background, health history, and current health status.
- Get enough sleep to feel refreshed when you wake up. It is during deep, restful sleep that your body is able to most efficiently repair damaged skin.
- Do not rub your acne with abrasive towels or loofahs. Aggressively rubbing your acne can cause the underlying infection to spread, which can result in new spots.
- Sometimes, abrasive rubbing can create enough irritation to cause an infection that leads to acne. Instead of rubbing your face dry after washing, make it a habit to pat dry or even air dry.
- Use as little soap and make-up as possible. Using soap on a daily basis is only necessary if you work with gas, coal, or oil.
- For most people who don’t wear make up, washing with cold water is enough to have clean and healthy skin. Washing with only cold water is what people have done through most of world history.
- If your weather allows, expose your skin to sunshine each day, even if it’s for a few minutes. Just be sure not to burn yourself. Natural sunlight has remarkable healing and recuperative powers for your skin.
- If you are not seeing changes as quickly as you would like, consider doing a short water or juice fast, which can accelerate healing of your skin.
How to Treat acne?
Acne treatment depends on whether you have a mild, moderate, or severe form. Sometimes your doctor will combine treatments to get the best results and to avoid developing drug-resistant bacteria. Treatment could include lotions or gels you put on blemishes or sometimes entire areas of skin, such as the chest or back (topical medications). You might also take medications by mouth (oral medications).
- Mild acne:
Treatment for mild acne (whitehead, blackhead or pimples) may include:
- Gentle cleansing with a mild soap (such as Dove or Neutrogena).
- Applying benzoyl peroxide (such as Benoxyl, Benzac, or Clearasil).
- Applying salicylic acid (such as Clearasil, Propa pH, or Stri-Dex).
If these treatments do not work, you may want to see your doctor. Your doctor can give you a prescription for stronger lotions or creams. You may try an antibiotic lotion. Or you may try a lotion with medicine that helps to unplug your pores
2. Moderate to severe acne
Sometimes acne needs treatment with stronger medications or a combination of therapies. Deeper blemishes, such as nodules and cysts, are more likely to leave scars. As a result, your doctor may give you oral antibiotics sooner to start the healing process. Inflammatory acne may need a combination of several therapies. Treatment for moderate to severe acne may include:
- Applying benzoyl peroxide.
- Draining of large pimples and cysts by a health professional.
- Applying prescription antibiotic gels, creams, or lotions.
- Applying prescription retinoid.
- Applying azelaic acid
Although you cannot prevent acne, there are steps you can take at home to keep acne from getting worse.
- Gently wash and care for your skin every day. Avoid scrubbing too hard or washing too often.
- Avoid heavy sweating if you think it causes your acne to get worse. Wash soon after activities that cause you to sweat.
- Wash your hair often if your hair is oily. Try to keep your hair off of your face.
- Avoid hair care products such as gels, mousses, cream rinses, and pomades that contain a lot of oil.
- Avoid touching your face.
- Wear soft, cotton clothing or moleskin under sports equipment. Parts of equipment, such as chin straps, can rub your skin and make your acne worse.
- Avoid exposure to oils and harsh chemicals such as petroleum. Avoid long periods of time in sunlight, as this doesn’t help acne and can increase your risk of skin cancer. Use sunscreens when you are out in the sun.
- Avoid long periods of time in sunlight, as this doesn’t help acne and can increase your risk of skin cancer. Use sunscreens when you are out in the sun.
How to treat Acne?
Acne can be treated by:
1. Cleansing & Exfoliating
2. Keeping It Clear
3. Medications
1. Cleansing & Exfoliating
Acne forms under the skin, which means washing away surface oils does not do much to prevent or cure it. It is a myth that people get acne because they don’t wash enough. Gentle washing is important, but too much washing can irritate the whiteheads and blackheads, causing them to be more infected and making more pimples.Use a mild cleanser such as Cetaphil, or an acne cleanser such as Aveeno acne bar, Neutrogena Acne Wash or Benzyl Peroxide 5% bar.
Exfoliating, which removes the layer of dead skin cells, is also important for healthy skin. After washing your face with a mild cleanser, exfoliate with face facial scrub one to two times a week. This can help reduce dead skin cells and debris which can clog pores and cause more acne.
2. Keeping It Clear:
To avoid further clogging of your pores, all cosmetics, lotions and sunscreens should be oil-free! To avoid dry skin, use an oil-free lotion such as Complex 15. To avoid sunburn use oil-free products such as Neutrogena or Coppertone Oil-free Sunscreen. And remember to beware of hair products and gels, as they tend to be very oily.
3. Medications:
Benzoyl peroxide
Benzoyl peroxide can be found in many over the counter acne medications. It kills bacteria that worsen acne, unplugging oil ducts, and helping to heal acne pimples.
Use
Start conservatively, with 5% gel or lotion once a day (such as after you wash your face to go to bed)
Some more Tips on Acne Prevention
In many cases acne can be avoided. There are lots of ways to avoid acne. Ways to avoid acne include dietary changes, skin care and home treatments.
This article will have information that explores ways to avoid acne.
1: Use a cleansing diet to get rid of the impurities in your system.
2: Clean your skin everyday.
3: Use a benzoyl peroxide lotion to keep blemishes at bay.
4: Check your cosmetics, foods and other products to make sure you are not having a problem with allergies that can be mistaken for acne.
5: If you eat a high-fiber, low-fat diet you are less likely to have problems with acne.
6: Some vitamins will decrease your chances of acne. Check with your doctor to see what she suggests.
7: Drink six to eight glasses of water a day. Water is important for the health of your skin.
8: Some people feel that cutting down on sugar, flour and caffeine is one of the ways to avoid acne
9: If you have small blackheads or pimples do not pop them. This can lead to even more skin problems.
10: Don’t use greasy lotions and cosmetics as they contain oils that can promote acne.
11: Try not to take any medications that contain iodides or bromides.
The above information should help you find ways to avoid acne
