Acne Cause, Acne Myths, Acne Scar Treatment

ACNE or zits / pimples, are caused by blocked, infected, oil glands on your face.

"Acne! I'll never make it to the ball!"

Acne Cause

This happens most during teenage years when androgens - hormones that stimulate oil making - are highest. Some oil gland exits get choked shut by this thick goo and bacteria which normally would be squirted out to the face surface stay and eat it - creating a closed comedome or whitehead - and this bacterial digestion produces chemicals which are irritating to your skin and an inflammatory reaction is born which is red and eventually bursts producing a pustule. Other times, the gland opening stays open but the oil is so thick that it doesn't flow out. Oxygen in the air then changes its color to black - like an apple bite left in the open air - this is called an open comedome or blackhead.

The above picture is a microscopic view of acne formation in skin where: 1 = affected skin, 2 = hair shaft, 3 = oil gland, 4 = bacteria, 5 = oil on surface skin

Common Myths about Acne:

• Acne gets worse if you eat greasy or sweet foods - not true.
• Acne is because your face is dirty - not true. Washing your face more often only removes surface grease and not the deep oils which cause acne.
• Acne is because you have a "hormonal imbalance" - this is true only in a very very small minority. Most people with acne have normal hormone levels for their age.

Picture of acne:

Acne Treatment

Acne treatment is aimed at removing either the blockage of oil glands, the bacteria, or the inflammation.

Acne Creams applied to the affected areas are most commonly used and quite effective. The active ingredient used is often Benzoyl peroxide which both opens oil gland pores and kills Propionibacterium acnes - the bacteria responsible for 'eating' the oil and 'stooling' irritant chemicals.

Other contenders are: sulfur based creams/lotions which work by being toxic to P. acnes growth and salicylic acid (aspirin) which reduces inflammation and helps unblock pores.

For more severe cases of whiteheads Retinoic acid (Vitamin A) is used which shuts down oil making creating a dry skin - not to be used in pregnancy as it causes baby deformities!

In more severe cases with an explosion of pustules, antibiotics are prescribed daily for up to 3-6 months to kill the bacteria making the pustules.

NB. Remember that most acne is from oil clogged pores, so do not use moisturizer lotions which will make this worse.

One effective strategy for females is oral contraceptives. These tablets are filled with female hormones which block the androgen signal that boosts oil making in the glands of the face.

Acne Scar Treatment

None of the above works for blackheads which are like burnt out oil wells. Blackhead pores are already open, their is no bacteria, and their is no inflammation. Dermabrasion is the solution and essentially is using sandpaper to scrub out the old oil out of the pores. This is done by a specialist in skin called a dermatologist. Seeing one is no different to seeing your family doctor - chose one in your area and phone to make an appointment.

Acne Resource Center

 

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