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Skin Care – What is Acne?

The importance of keeping your skin healthy can’t be overemphasized. Its body’s first defense against disease and infection, and it protects your internal organs from injuries. It is, in fact, the largest organ in the body. It regulates body temperature and prevents excess fluid loss, and it also helps your body remove excess water and salt. Most women, and these days men too, strive to keep their skin looking youthful. The good news is that there are a number of simple ways to achieve good results

What is Acne?

Acne is a disorder resulting from the action of hormones and other substances on the skin’s oil glands (sebaceous glands) and hair follicles. These factors lead to plugged pores and outbreaks of lesions commonly called pimples or zits. Acne lesions usually occur on the face, neck, back, chest, and shoulders. Although acne is usually not a serious health threat, it can be a source of significant emotional distress. Severe acne can lead to permanent scarring.

What Causes Acne?

The exact cause of acne is unknown, but doctors believe it results from several related factors. One important factor is an increase in hormones called androgens (male sex hormones). These increase in both boys and girls during puberty and case the sebaceous glands to enlarge and make more sebum.

Hormonal changes related to pregnancy or starting or stopping birth control pills can also cause of acne. Another factor is heredity or genetics. Researchers believe that the tendency to develop acne can be inherited from parents. For example, studies have shown that many school-age boys with acne have a family history of the disorder.Certain drugs, including androgens and lithium, are known to cause of acne. Greasy cosmetics may alter the cells of the follicles and make them stick together producing a plug.

Factors that can cause an acne flare include:

• Changing hormone levels in adolescent girls and adult women 2 to 7 days before their menstrual period starts
• Oil from skin products (moisturizers or cosmetics) or grease encountered in the work environment (for example, a kitchen with fry vats)
• Pressure from sports helmets or equipment, backpacks, tight collars, or tight sport uniforms
• Environmental irritants, such as pollution and high humidity
• Squeezing or picking at blemishes
• Hard scrubbing of the skin
• Stress.

Myths about the Causes of Acne

There are many myths about what causes acne. Chocolate and greasy foods are often blames, but there is little evidence that foods have much effect on the development and course of acne in most people. Another common myth is that dirty skin causes acne; however, blackheads and other acne lesions are not caused by dirt. Stress doesn’t cause acne, but research suggests that for people who have acne, stress can make it worse.

Who Gets Acne?

People of all races and ages get acne. It is most common in adolescents and young adults. An estimated 80% of all people between the ages of 11 and 30 have acne outbreaks at some point. For most people, acne tends to go away by the time they reach their thirties; however, some people in their forties and fifties continue to have this skin problem.

How is acne treated?

The goals of treatment are to heal existing lesions, stop new lesions from forming, prevent scarring, and minimize the psychological stress and embarrassment caused by this disease. Drug treatment is aimed at reducing several problems that play a part in causing acne:

• Abnormal dumping of cells in the follicles
• Increased oil production
• Bacteria
• Inflammation

Depending on the extent of the problem, you may be recommended one of several over-the-counter (OTC) medicines and/or prescription medicines. Some of these medicines may be topical (applied to the skin), and others may be oral (taken by mouth). The doctor may suggest using more than one topical medicine or combining oral and topical medicines.

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