Acne - Types, Causes and Treatment

by Peter Sams

Acne primarily affects adolescents whose skin secretes an excessive amount of oil or sebum -- from the sebaceous glands -- caused by the hormonal changes of puberty. Beginning in the teen years and through adulthood, your body produces hormones called androgens, which are male hormones that are present in both men and women.
Acne is the most common and chronic disease of the skin. It is an inflammatory condition of the sebaceous (oil) glands and hair follicles usually found on the face, neck, chest and shoulders. Almost eight out of ten young people aged between 12 and 24 suffer from some degree of acne. It is closely related to the disruption of the experience of hormones at puberty.

There are also different kinds of acne and the most common are:

* Nodules - solid and very noticeable bumps that are deep in the skin. These nodules are often very painful and may become red and swollen.

* Cysts - these are very deep, like nodules, but are more open like a lesion. They are usually filled with pus rather than with a solid like a nodule.

* Papules - very small and dense inflamed skin patches that appear almost rash-like.

Type Of Acne

Not all acne is the same. Simplistically, acne can be divided into red bumps and blackheads/whiteheads. This division is important because each type is treated differently. Blackheads and whiteheads, known as comedones, can be more numerous on the face and shoulders than red bumps filled with pus. Good, consistent skin hygiene can help improve this condition.

Causes Of Acne

Causes of adult acne and teen acne may include hormones, diet, evolutionary biology, vitamin deficiency, stress, and more. The real explanation may be a complex mix of many of these factors.

Blockage Of The Skin Pores

Oily skin occurs when an overactive oil gland enlarges and overproduces oil. Acne develops when some of the pores (through which oil normally flows from the oil gland to reach the skin surface) become blocked, resulting in trapping of oil within the skin pores.

Acne Treatment

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 clumping of cells in the follicles, increased oil production, bacteria, and inflammation. Depending on the extent of the person's acne, the doctor will recommend one of several over-the-counter (OTC) medicines or prescription medicines that are topical (applied to the skin) or systemic (taken by mouth).

isotretinoin (eg Roaccutane) is a medicine known as an oral retinoid, which also exists in a topical form (see above). Isotretinoin works by drying up oily secretions. It tends to be prescribed to people with severe forms of acne that have proved resistant to other treatments. There a number of serious side-effects of this drug, such as liver disorders and depression. You should not take isotretinoin if you are pregnant, as it is very dangerous to an unborn baby. For safety reasons, isotretinoin is only prescribed under the supervision of dermatology specialists

Read about Beauty and Makeup Tips and Natural Herbal Home Remedies. Also read about Vitamins and Minerals

About the Author
Peter Sams

Causes of Acne and Acne Treatment

by Peter Sams

Acne is a common skin condition that affects the hair follicles and the sebaceous glands in the skin, which secrete an oily substance called sebum. Acne commonly on occurs on the face, arms, back and chest.
Most adolescents and young adults show evidence of acne. It is most prevalent between 15 and 24 years, and is more common and more severe in males than in females. Onset peaks early in puberty and usually resolves in males during their early 20s. Females can develop acne for the first time after puberty and are more likely to suffer ongoing acne, which can persist into their 30s and 40s. Acne mainly affects the face, neck, chest, shoulders and upper back; areas which have the highest density of sebaceous glands.

Cause Of 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 cause the sebaceous glands to enlarge and make more sebum. Hormonal changes related to pregnancy or starting or stopping birth control pills can also cause acne.

Acne occurs when tiny holes on the surface of the skin called pores become clogged. Each pore is an opening to a canal called a follicle, which contains a hair and an oil gland. Normally, the oil glands help keep the skin lubricated and help remove old skin cells. When glands produce too much oil, the pores can become blocked, accumulating dirt, debris, and bacteria.

Testosterone in people prone to acne triggers the sebaceous glands to produce an excess of sebum. At the same time, the dead skin cells lining the openings of the hair follicles (the tubes that hold the hair) are not shed properly and clog up the follicles.

Treatment For Acne

If you have acne and you feel that it is getting worse instead of better, the best thing that you can do is let a professional dermatologist have a look at your condition and prescribe an appropriate treatment for you. Mild acne is first treated by gently washing the area twice daily with warm water and soap. In addition to cleansing the area, an over-the-counter cream or similar otc products that incorporates benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid should be used. These can be found in most pharmacies, and kill the bacteria on the epidermis. Proper skin care is essential. It is important to comprehend that improvements take time and do not happen overnight, especially with topical solutions. Look for a gradual, steady improvement in the condition of your skin.

Treatments that promise "fast," miraculous" or "overnight" results often capture the attention of acne sufferers hoping for quick resolution. However, the fact remains that acne does not clear overnight. On average, 6 to 8 weeks are needed to see initial results. Once acne significantly improves or clears, continued treatment is needed to keep acne from re-appearing. If acne does not improve in 6 to 8 weeks, treatment may need to be adjusted as not every acne treatment clears every case of acne.

Read about Beauty and Makeup Tips and Natural Herbal Home Remedies. Also read about Vitamins and Minerals

About the Author
Peter Sams