Acne
Acne causes embarrassment and discouragement for millions of people. Most are in their teens, but adults are also affected. There are many acne treatment choices on the market. Some are formulated well, while others are very weak and ineffective. Finding the best acne treatment for your skin can improve your outlook and your appearance. This fact sheet is for people who have acne and have had it for a long time.
Acne is a skin condition that causes deep spots. Most people with acne are between the ages of 12 and 25, but it can also affect men and women between the ages of 30 and 40. There are many treatments available to deal with the condition.
How do we define acne?
Acne is a skin condition that usually causes one or more of the following:
* Blackheads (comedones).
* Red or yellow spots.
* Scars and spots.
* Whiteheads.
Acne typically affects the skin of the face, back, neck, chest and arms and the severity of the condition can vary.
Acne affects people of all skin colors. The processes that cause acne are exactly the same in people with black or brown skin, but the impact is altered by the skin pigmentation.
Acne is a very common condition and affects about 80 in 100 people aged 11-30 at some time.
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The skin
The surface of the skin has lots of small sebaceous glands just below the surface. These glands make an oily substance which is called as sebum that keeps the skin smooth and supple.
Tiny pores (holes in the skin) allow the sebum to come to the skin surface. Facial hair also grow through these pores.
Illustration showing the structure of skin
What Causes Acne?
Acne is caused by the overactivity of the sebaceous glands that secrete oily substances on the skin.
The sebaceous glands of people with acne are particularly sensitive to normal blood levels of a hormone called testosterone, which occurs naturally in both men and women.
Testosterone in acne-prone people cause the sebaceous glands to produce too much sebum. At the same time, the dead skin cells along the opening of the hair follicles (the tubes that hold the hair) are not shed properly and clog the hair follicles.
These two effects combined cause an accumulation of oil in the hair follicles. This creates blackheads and whiteheads.
In some people, their acne does not progress beyond this stage.
In other people, however, the buildup of oil in the hair follicles creates an ideal environment for bacteria called Propionibacterium acne to grow.
These bacteria normally live harmlessly on your skin, but when this ideal environment is created, they grow. They feed on the sebum and produce substances that trigger a response from your body's immune system. This inflames the skin and creates the redness associated with blemishes.
In more severe 'inflammatory acne', cysts develop below the surface of the skin. These acne cysts can rupture and spread the infection to nearby skin tissue. This can seriously lead to scarring.
There are a number of things that can make your acne worse. These include the following:
*Picking and squeezing the spots can cause further inflammation and scarring
* Stress can make acne worse in some people, although it's not clear why,
* In women, outbreaks can be affected by the hormonal changes that occur during the menstrual cycle,
* Excessive production of male hormones such as testosterone due to conditions such as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome may be another cause.5 For more information, see the separate BU PA fact sheet Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
* Some birth control pills can make acne worse. This is due to the type of progestin hormone in some pills, while some other types of birth control pills can improve acne - see the Treatment section below. Your doctor will advise you which contraceptive pill to take
* Some medications can make acne worse. For example, some medicines for epilepsy, and steroid creams and ointments used for eczema. Do not stop a prescription drug if you suspect it is making your acne worse, but tell your dermatologist. An alternative may be an option
* Steroids can cause acne as a side effect, so avoid using steroids.
Therapy:-
Acne can cause you significant emotional distress, but there are a range of treatment options to help you deal with this problem. No treatment will completely "cure" your acne. The aim of the treatment is to prevent new spots, improve existing ones and prevent scars
Home Treatment:-
It is very important to keep the areas prone to breakouts clean, so wash the affected area twice a day with a fragrance-free cleanser. The skin needs a certain amount of oil to maintain its natural condition, so avoid aggressive washing with strong soaps and always keep your skin hydrated with a lightweight moisturizer
There are a number of over-the-counter remedies available from pharmacies to treat mild acne. These usually contain antibacterial agents such as benzoyl peroxide (for example, OXY and Clearasil Max).
In addition to its antibacterial effects, benzoyl peroxide can dry out the skin and encourage it to shed the surface layer of dead skin cells. Together, these effects make it harder for pores to become clogged and develop infections.
Benzoyl peroxide can cause flushing and peeling, especially in the beginning. This seems to settle down if you reduce the number of times you use it. You can then gradually build up your usage.
No home acne treatment will work immediately. It can take more than a few weeks, if not months, for significant effects to be noticeable. If home treatments haven't worked after two months, or if you have severe acne, you should see your dermatologist as soon as possible.
Prescription Drugs:-
Your dermatologist can start your treatment by prescribing a preparation containing benzoyl peroxide. If this doesn't work, or if you have more severe acne, there are a number of other treatment options that you can rub on your skin (topical) or in tablet form (oral).
Some people say you should try to only use products on your skin that you are willing to put in your mouth. This may not always be the case, as the skin acts as a filter and absorbs nutrients and other substances
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