10 Acne Treatment Myths

Acne is the most common skin disease in the United States. It affects nearly 20 million teens and one in every twenty adults. There is a tremendous amount of misinformation that confuses people about the real causes of acne and acne treatments. In order to clear the confusion, let us take a look at some of the most common acne myths.

1) Acne is caused by what you eat. Although some individuals notice their skin breaks out after consuming greasy foods, soda, and chocolate, these outbreaks are generally related to food allergies, not acne. Extensive studies have been conducted on acne and none have found a connection between diet and acne. Acne is caused by an overproduction of sebum (oil) and obstruction of the pores. It is not caused by food.

2) Acne is caused by poor hygiene. Acne is not caused by poor hygiene; however, it is important to keep skin pores clear of dirt to prevent bacteria from infecting the skin. Oftentimes, people who believe this myth cleanse their skin vigorously and frequently, which can make acne worse. Experts recommend gently washing the face twice a day with special oil absorbing micro-fiber facial clothes or with mild soap.

3) Popping pimples is the best way to manage acne. STOP and step away from the mirror! Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, picking or popping your pimples can lead to a nasty infection, or possibly even permanent scarring. Let them pop on their own and they will heal much faster.

4) Only teenagers get acne. People of all ages can get acne. As early as birth, infants can have mild acne on their faces. Adolescent acne usually develops when puberty begins and adult acne develops between the ages of 20 and 50. Most people eventually outgrow acne; however, in women it may last until menopause.

5) Oily skin is the main cause of pimples. Acne is not caused by oily skin. For reasons no one completely understands, follicles (or pores) sometimes become blocked with sebum (oil). The cells that line the hair follicle fail to make their way to the skin's surface, where they can be washed away. Instead these cells build up, mix with sebum and bacteria, and form a plug. Acne originates from the faulty hair follicle cells that do not get washed away, not the oil.

6) Acne is contagious. No one knows how this myth got started, but rumor has it that fathers would tell this to their daughters to keep them away from boys with acne. Apparently these fathers thought acne was caused by poor hygiene. Acne is absolutely, positively not contagious. You can not get it from anyone and you can not give it to anyone.

7) Tanning clears up acne. Tanning may darken your skin and temporarily mask the redness of acne; but it does nothing more than that. While it's beneficial to obtain 20 minutes of sunlight each day in order to obtain your vitamin D; too much sun increases your risk of developing wrinkles and even skin cancer. And, if you are thinking about tanning beds, nix that idea. There is growing concern that tanning beds increase your risk of developing skin cancer.

8) Using more medicine will heal acne faster. Wrong! When it comes to acne medicine, adhere to the saying "less is more." Using too much medicine can lead to dry, irritated skin. It can also lead to physical problems. When you apply ointment to the skin, it is absorbed by your entire body. It's filtered through the liver and kidneys. Using too much medicine can overtax these organs and cause unpleasant and even dangerous side effects. Always follow directions when using acne treatments and never use more than the prescribed amount.

9) Cosmetics must be avoided if you have acne. This is partially true and partially false. Certain types of cosmetics have been linked to acne and include foundation, night creams, and moisturizers composed of vegetable oil and oleic acid. If you want to use cosmetics just be certain to select products that are labeled "noncomedogenic" or "nonacnegenic." Oftentimes, health food stores will carry all-natural cosmetics; some of which are specifically formulated for people with acne.

10) It is safe to stop acne medication once acne has cleared. You should always consult with your doctor or dermatologist about discontinuing your acne treatment [http://www.the-acne-treatment.org]. Acne flare-ups can occur if you stop taking your medication to soon, or if you change the dose. Certain medications require a "weening" period, which means the dosage should gradually be reduced. Complications can arise when quickly stopping some acne medications.

Alan Jensen is recognized as a leading expert on herbal acne products for fast and safe acne treatment. He is a frequent contributor to Acne Treatments [http://www.the-acne-treatment.org] and Hoodia Diet Pills He enjoys spending free time with his family and 3 year old German Shepherd.

10 Myths surrounding acne

10. Poor hygiene causes acne

While the oils, dirt and other contaminants can clog pores and aggravate acne, it is not the primary cause of acne. Acne has many causes, the primary being hormonal factors, and to some extent, genetics. For those who have a predisposition to acne, poor hygiene may aggravate acne, but will not be the sole cause of acne, for most of the patients.

9. Acne lasts forever

While those with acne tend to have their acne for years, most people who get acne in their childhood and adolescence improve in their environment and the end of the 20 without any treatment. This improvement is mainly due to a stabilization hormone levels during the middle and the end of the usually done 20 rage and flow during adolescence. Some people, however, continue to have a certain acne adult years and even some other people to develop as acne in their adult life.

8 Sexual activity worsens acne

The myth is that testosterone and the hormonal environment associated with the increase of sexual activity aggravated acne, but there is no evidence that sexual activity is all related to acne.

7-Acne may be contagious

Acne is not contagious. If you touch or rub against any person with acne, you will not get acne for their injuries. Rather touching or rubbing, as such, may lead to a pore blocking and cause acne - for example people breakout on their cheeks and Chin of talking on the phone for long periods of time.

6 Fat food causes acne

Acne is not caused by the consumption of food. Limited studies have been conducted to prove or foods cause acne and while some studies have suggested an association, there is no evidence in support of acne is related to what you eat. Chocolate or candy do not cause acne.

5 Get the light from the Sun or tanning improves acne

There is no evidence that exposure tanning or the Sun improves acne. Some people may appear subjectively better after exposure to the Sun, but there is nothing to indicate that regular exposure to the Sun is a good way to treat acne. While exposure to the Sun is known to reduce inflammation of the skin and, although that theoretically would benefit proven, some inflammatory acne, this effect is not scientifically proven. It is very well known that exposure to the Sun leads to many types of skin cancers and strongly contributes to the accelerated skin ageing.

4. More you wash your skin, the more improved your acne will be

Face washing improves acne, but the effect is limited. For those who have acne very soft, wash 2 - 3 times a day can be everything need improvement. However, for those will where simple washing not fully control not acne, in addition to more aggressive cleaning/washing or not help and is not recommended. In fact, the trauma resulting and drought can be worse than real acne itself. It would be prudent to have other methods of control of acne, topical or oral drugs for other improvements.

3 Popping buttons is the best thing to do when you see active acne

Buttons popping immediately can relieve pain and inflammation associated with many types of acne, however, remember that trying to pop a bud can actually greatly aggravate your acne. Inflammation increased, trauma and resulting worsening of acne may cause not only larger, more painful injury, but also the potential of acne scars.

2 Natural makeup are good for Acne

No makeup can promote the acne, natural or otherwise. Makeup block pores which then get inflamed and form the acne. If you are shopping at a suitable makeup for acne, best makeup types to use are those marked as non-COMEDOGENIC (non-acne-forming). For a list of compounds not comédogènes, click here.

1. To help more acne medicine makes better, faster

More on medicine using a current acne lesion does not better more quickly. When an acne lesion is present, it is often useful to put a product of 1.5-2.0% benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid on the injury of one to three times a day. To make any more often can lead to excessive drying and cracking without further improve acne lesion. For the same time, excessive use of Retin-A or the prescription of medicines that you already have on a single acne lesion is not recommended.

Don Mehrabi MD, FAAD is a dermatologist certified by the Board of Dermatology currently practicing in Beverly Hills California United States. He is also a main contributor of http://www.DermBlue.com with many articles and topics to address many common dermatological problems and aesthetic problems. Visit http://www.dermblue.com/learningcenter/ for a discussion on more educational topics relating to dermatology and personal beauty.

Acne Myths: The Truth About 7 Acne Myths

Acne myths: Don't believe everything they say about acne.

For several years I struggled with acne it was around the ago of seventeen and twenty However I wished to get more information about acne myths. For example is it really true that you can get acne from eating a bar of chocolate each day? Can I help acne with washing my skin more? Stress causes acne?

And I'm sure you find this the funniest one. You can get ride of acne by having sex or masturbating. Bullshit or not? You will find the answers to your question here in these article.

7 Acne myths and the truth about them.

Myth 1: Will I get acne by eating chocolate and fat food?

Eating chocolate and fat foot can make you fat, very fat and it's not healthy at all.

But acne is not caused by eating chocolate, fat food or sugar.

Research and studies found out that acne is not primarily linked to these products

Myth 2: Is washing your face a good way to prevent acne?

You need to wash your face at least twice a day for medical reasons.

Acne is not caused by poor hygiene. It may surprise you but don't believe it.

In fact washing your face to often can make your acne worse?

I would recommend to wash your face twice a day in the morning in the evening, not more.

Don't forget to past dry it and to use a appropriate acne treatment?

Myth 3: Acne is only something for teenagers.

Yes it's true most people who have or start having acne are in their early teens.

But the truth is anyone can get acne. Also your genes plays a roll probably you mother and father or grandparents had acne it's a change you will get it too. Even babies can get acne.

Myth 4: Does stress causes acne?

This is a common mistake if you have stress there is a chance you will get Acne urticata.

Acne urticata is a form of eczema so not really acne in the real meaning of the word.

However this myth is true you can get acne or more acne if you have stress.

Stress is a part of the modern human life so it's almost impossible to ban it from your life.

Try to get a healthy life, a balanced diet and a good night's rest. And be careful with drugs to prevent stress they can consider acne as well.

Myth 5: Can sex and masturbation lead to acne?

I think this myth is from the same people who said you can become deaf by having sex or masturbating. If you reach puberty your body experiences hormonal changes. True these changes you can get acne but it's not related to your sexual activity.

Myth 6: Squeezing out my pimples is a good idea?

Don't do it, squeezing out the pimple can damage the cells under your skin.

The cells under your pimples can be inflamed or even worse leave a permanent scar.

Myth 7: Where can I get acne? Is it only on my face?

The most common place where you can get acne is your face.

But you can get acne on any part of the body. On your arms, legs or on your back are also common forms where you can get it.

As you can see not everything they tell you about acne is true.

I hope this acne myth article gave you an answer of your most burning questions about it.

Of course there is a lot more to know about it, so don't forget to do your own research

Frederik blogs about acne, a blog with well researched information about acne. The facts are not based on his own opinion but on several hours of research. In his blog he describes a technique how to become acne free in three days without the help of drugs or expensive products.

Visit his blog today for more information

Let's Talk about Acne - Learn the Truth and Myths About Acne

Having great looking skin doesn't stop at the ladies, a massive number of males are very interested in making the most of them-selves and it all starts with the skin.

Never has your appearance been more important than at this time. We judge people within seconds of seeing them. We have an opinion of a person who is covered in spots; we come to our own conclusions rightly or wrongly if we see someone who has eczema or dry flaky skin. If someone is unshaven, dirty, wears heavy dark makeup, has lank greasy hair, has acne, like it or not we make instant decisions on how we look. It also affects our mood and behaviour.

As there are three types of acne past, present and future signs of acne you need to first establish which type are YOU

I will prove to you in a matter of moments why you can trust me to expose you to the whole truth AND Myths about the world of acne.

So what is Acne?

Acne is an inflammatory skin condition that occurs when sebum (oil) and dead skin cells block the pore opening, causing sebum to build up inside the pore. Although acne is a common skin condition, if left untreated it can lead to severe inflammation and permanent scarring.

Who is affected by Acne?

Acne affects people regardless of age, gender, or race. More than 80 % of people suffer from acne at some point in their lives, many into adulthood. Did you know 20% of all adults suffer with active acne? and of the 85% of young adults (between ages 12 and 24) that suffer from acne, 25% will have permanent scars ranging from mild to severe.

Knowledge is POWER!! To be able to rid ourselves of ACNE we first must need to know what it is

Learn about the Acne Life Cycle

Stage One: Clogged Pores

o Each pore in your skin is essentially a hair follicle lined by cells from the epidermis (the upper most layer of the skin). The hair follicle is connected to multi- lobed sebaceous glands (oil producing glands).

o Sebaceous glands produce sebum, a natural substance that lubricates the hair and provides essential fatty acids and lipids that are necessary to maintain the skin's protective moisture barrier.

o As part of the skin's healthy processes, cells that line the pore are continuously shed.

o They mix with sebum and flow out of the pore onto the surface of the skin.

o If the sebaceous glands produce too much oil, generally in response to hormones, the mixture of dead skin cells and sebum form a plug, blocking the pore opening.

Stage Two: Bacteria

o Dead skin cells lining the pore continue to be shed and oil is still produced by the sebaceous glands, both of which build up behind the plug.

o The accumulated mixture of sebum and dead cells attracts the bacteria found naturally in the skin (known as P.acnes or propionibacterium acnes), which feeds on oil and multiplies rapidly inside the pore.

Stage Three: Inflammation

The bacteria overgrowth triggers the body's natural inflammatory immune response: white blood cells to flood the area. This causes swelling and redness in the region, which can ultimately lead to the discoloration and scarring associated with acne.

Which Type are You?

There are many types of acne breakouts, all of which result when oil and dead skin build up and clog the pore opening. Blackheads, whiteheads, pustules (or nodules), and cysts are the four most common types of acne breakouts.

Blackheads (or open comedones) are clogged pores that are only partially plugged, allowing some of the trapped sebum and oil to escape the pore. The sebum within the hair follicle solidifies. The dark colour associated with blackheads is due to the oxidization of sebum and melanin in the dead skin cells when they come into contact with the air. Blackheads are generally not inflamed or infected with bacteria and do not cause scaring.

Whiteheads (or Closed comedones) are the result of completely clogged pores. Below the skin, excess oil and dead skin cells fill the pore and begin to create a small whitish bump. Limited bacterial growth and a low grade immune response create the white pus associated with whiteheads. They are not highly inflamed and do not generally cause scarring.

Pustules (or nodules) are red, inflamed acne breakouts that occur when clogged pores become infected with bacteria (P.acnes). A pustule is similar to a whitehead, but is highly inflamed and appears as a red bump with a white or yellow centre. Because of the inflammation and swelling, pustules cause the distinctive discolouration associated with acne and may also cause scarring.

Cysts are severely inflamed and pus-filled acne lesions that occur when the contents of a clogged pore seep into the dermis (lower layer of the skin). The deep inflammation and infection cause a severe immune response: white blood cells flood the area, which then becomes swollen and sore. This results in the formation of a cyst. Acne cysts are painful and often cause scarring. The white blood cells can overreact and damage the pore and surrounding area. After the cyst heals, a permanent scar may remain.

OK, So All This Information Is All Well and Good But, How Do We Treat ACNE!!

Because acne can begin 2 - 3 weeks before blemishes are visible on your skin, the secret to controlling acne is prevention. Prevention includes eating a balanced diet, exercising and reducing stress, as well as cleansing with a proper treatment system.

Please Do Not Be Mislead Acne can take anywhere Between 8 - 12 weeks to treat. However, most people can see a difference very quickly.

When treating acne topically, dermatologists recommend a three pronged approach.

o Unclog pores and keep them clear.

o Control oil, which helps to limit bacterial growth

o Reduce inflammation.

The skin takes time to adjust to a new system. During this time, breakouts may appear worse before they get better; this is NOT uncommon as pre-existing blemishes are beginning to surface. Improvements should be visible within a few weeks and continue throughout the next eight to twelve weeks.

MOST SYSTEMS DO NOT MATCH THESE CRITERIA

We have discussed the Truth about Acne now the interesting bit .... the myths!!

ACNE MYTHS

Myth#1: Scrub face clean to treat acne!

Vigorous washing and scrubbing can actually irritate the skin and make acne worse. The best approach to good hygiene and treating acne is to gently wash your face twice a day with a mild cleanser, pat dry and use an appropriate acne treatment.

Myth#2: You have to let acne run its course!

The truth is acne can be cleared up! Using a high quality, efficacious acne treatment system can address the stages of acne: clogged pores, bacteria and inflammation.

Myth#3: Acne is just a cosmetic condition!

While acne poses no serious threat to one's health, it does affect the way people look and can affect the way people feel about themselves. Acne should be taken seriously and treated to prevent permanent physical scarring.

Myth #4: Acne is not related to diet!

While thus far science has not found a solid connection between diet and acne, research is being revisited in this area. Some studies indicate a relationship between acne and high-glycemic foods such as sodas, pastries and breads. Other studies have looked at the impact of dairy-rich diets on skin health. Many people insist certain foods affect their acne. When controlling acne, eating a balanced diet is always a good idea.

Myth#5: There is no correlation between stress and acne!

Acne not only causes significant stress, but is also made worse by stress. in a recent study, Standford University students with acne were analyzed before and after exams. The study showed the students' acne worsened when under pre-exam stress. When you're under stress, your body produces stress hormones such as cortisol, which stimulate an over production of oil in the skin. When this excess oil mixes with dead skin cells, it promotes bacterial growth and can cause acne to develop or become worse. This can, in turn, lead to ore stress, plunging you into a Stress-acne cycle.

You now understand the Facts about Acne - the Truth and the myths

Take a good long look at your skin in the mirror - what do you see? Do you like the image? Are you projecting the right image for who you are? How does your skin measure up? Is it clear, glowing with health, a joy to look at? Or like so many people are you suffering with spots, blemishes, dark circles with a generally tired thick complexion. If one or all of these best describes your looks don't worry the good news is, that all can change within 30 days.

Why 30 days?

This is the average time it takes for new cells to rise to the surface of your skin. As that happens the old cells on the surface fall off, so you can technically say you are a completely different person every 30 days!

Over the next few pages I will discuss various methods that will guarantee your skin to be beautiful, blemish free, a joy to look at, no matter what nationality you happen to be or how long you have been suffering with problem skin.

First though you need to know a little about the skin.

Well it's the largest organ of the body and probably the most abused. It is made up of layers - the epidermis, dermis and the subcutaneous layers. Skin consists of hair follicles, sweat glands, sebaceous glands, melanins and connective tissue. Proper care is essential for normal skin functions. You see the skin wasn't designed to have problems it's construction is actually designed to combat most conditions. In our modern days though it does need a little help and I will discuss this later, but for now nature made sure that our skin can fight infections and bacteria's so most common issues we have is because our skin is unable to work at it's optimal level. As I mentioned on average the new skin cells rise to the surface approx. 30 days. It has a high concentration of water and needs the pores open to enable the skin to breathe.

Acne:

As you are probably aware our skin secretes an oil called sebum, which is naturally produced. Sebum is the chemical that helps to keep the skin at the correct levels of pH to enable the skin to fight bacteria and infections. You see we were not designed to suffer with spots, eczema, dry skin, etc., without this correction your skin will not be able to perform at it optimal level.

Warning:

If you have suffered from acne for a while you will know that as soon as you find a new product that promises clear skin, you use it for a day or so and it looks like it is working only to discover that it doesn't. This is because your skin is a very clever organ; it adjusts to whatever you do to it very quickly. The biggest misconception is that you need to buy a product either soap or cleanser that is so harsh it strips ALL the oils from the skin. This simply encourages the skin to produce more oil, you then think you need to use more of the harsh product and the skin produces even more oils, a vicious circle. Break this cycle NOW.

Stop using everything you have tried or are thinking of trying. For a couple of days leave your skin, allow it to "rest". Simply rinse with warm water but no products. Try not to get your hair products on your face; these too can be so harsh that the skin can react to them.

Once your skin has rested then I recommend a product that has absolutely NO bad ingredients, this isn't as easy as it may seem as many companies will promote the good ingredients and not mention the bad fillers used. Even the most well respected companies within the industry use these bad ingredients; price also is not an indicator of quality. With these fillers it doesn't matter how much good natural ingredients are used they will not work as the fillers will block the pores preventing them from being effective. Do not mix different company products ie a cleanser from Clarins, toner from body shop and moisturiser from Clinique this again is damaging your skin. Every company works on a different method some use exfoliation to get some results, some use "sealing in" the moisture. Keep to one product line.

If you are in any doubt then please feel free to email me on sarah@dermassists.com and I will be happy to give you a personal consultation. I have researched for many years companies that will provide only the good and none of the bad.

Getting back to acne, to restore your skin to it youthful, glowing and healthy state I recommend the following five point daily regime:-

Cleanse:

This is essential to clear the pores and remove toxins from the skin. Do not use anything with soap, coal tar or similar harsh cleansing agents, these damage the skin structure and creates further problems.

Exfoliate:

Be careful too much exfoliating and this will damage the skin. Use a mild, exfoliant preferably with marine diatoms, which will not damage the skin. Too many companies including the large, well-respected companies work with exfoliating the skin with very harsh ingredients. This is not desirable as it strips the skin of the sebum making the skin go to work on creating more.

Re - balance or Tone:

I have many people telling me even now, that the pores are closed with toners. This is not true, pores cannot be closed, they can be blocked but not closed. It is with the pores that the skin breathes if the pores are closed or blocked then the skin is in trouble and dies. Toners were created for two reasons, one was to firstly remove the oil and petroleum left on the skin from traditional cleansers and secondly to retract the pores after the debris had been removed. Every hour of every day our skin is exposed to pollutants and dirt, this is held within the pores stretching them, if the pores are not cleansed thoroughly and then helped to retract to their original size, the result is very large exposed pores. Most toners have harsh alcohols, which again will cause further problems; natural Witch Hazel will retract the pores and restore the pH levels of the skin making the skin work at its optimal levels. This is one of the most important products your skin needs but it can be the most damaging if using the wrong product.

Hydrate:

A good hydrating product can work wonders for scar tissue, and will assist the skin in the healing process and hydrate the skin. The side effects of this product are that it assists the elastin and collagen to perform better, hence younger skin!

Moisturise:

Use only moisturisers with humectants and with an SPF, humectants are water magnets, which will attract the moisture from the air - totally different from the "sealing in" process. Technology has moved so much within the skin care products and using oils and petroleum by products is such an old method to use, that now we know does not work.

I have found that many companies claim to have a successful regime. Time and time again they will promote one or two good ingredients only to find that the bulk of the products are useless and in many cases damaging to the skin.

The Do's and don't on Good Skin Care.

Do: Use high quality ingredients This does not mean the dearest

Do: Keep to a simply regime

Do: Use the right products for your skin type

Do: Remember your skin will change, whether you move to a different location or if you stop or start smoking. Treat your skin accordingly.

Do: Cleanse, Tone, Hydrate and moisturise twice a day.

Don't: Mix different company's products

Don't: Use products with cheap bulking agents such as petroleum by products, oils, coal tar, harsh alcohol etc.,

Don't: Tear at the skin this will create lines and wrinkles too early.

You now understand the Facts about Great Skin

Sarah Rendle has been involved in the Personal care industry for some 12 years. She has trained hundreds of people on the best practises of good skin care concentrating on only using natural ingredients and that has been proven by science to actually do what the products are supposed to do.

[http://www.dermassists.com/acne]

Acne - The Facts and the Myths

There are certain periods of our lives we rather forget. And acne is one of them. It can be an embarrassing phase which affects not only our skin but also affect our self confidence.

Acne is a common non-contagious skin condition relating to blocked skin pores that results in skin lesions. It affects most of us at sometime during our lifetime, more commonly during our teenage years. It can be grouped broadly into two main categories: 1) Non-inflammatory acne: Here acne lesions appear as whiteheads (closed comedones) or blackheads (open comedones). When bacteria and sebum are trapped in the pores below the skins surface, they appear as white spots and are known as 'whiteheads'. When the pore opens up to the surface of the skin and the contents gets oxidized and turns black, the lesions are then known as 'blackheads'. 2) Inflammatory acne: Here the acne lesions are inflamed and may appear as papules, pustules, cysts, nodules. With nodules being the most severe.

Incidence:

o Majority of acne cases occur between 10-17 years in females, and 14-19 years in males.

o But late onset acne can sometimes occur in persons 25 years old or older. Some women develop acne in their 30 & 40's often with pre-menstrual exacerbations.

o The incidence of acne is actually lower in Asians and blacks, and even rarer in China.

o It can occur on the face, neck, chest, back, shoulders.

Myths about Acne:

1. Acne is NOT caused by chocolate or fatty foods.

2. Acne is NOT caused by poor personal hygiene (otherwise we would have acne between our toes too)

3. Acne is NOT caused by diet. Foods do not cause acne.

4. Acne is NOT caused by masturbation

5. Acne is NOT improved by sun exposure.

The Pathogenesis of Acne:

By pathogenesis we mean how does a condition develop? Acne is caused by a complex interaction between the sex hormones known as androgens and bacteria (Propionibacterium acnes), along with abnormal keratinisation in the hair follicles of individuals ( usually on the face, neck, chest and back).

The androgens (usually in normal amounts) stimulate the sebaceous glands of the hair follicles to produce increased amount of sebum. Normally the sebum journeys along the hair follicle to the surface of the skin keeping it soft and supple. However in the development of acne, the combination of the increased amount of sebum, with the abnormal hyperkeratinisation of the lining of the follicle results in the plugging of the pore opening. This is known as a closed comedo (whitehead). If the plug gets exposed to the skin surface and is oxidised, it is called an open comedone (blackhead). The bacteria in these follicles act on the sebum which leads to a sterile inflammatory response.

Within the follicle the bacteria continue to multiply and act on the sebum, releasing large amounts of inflammatory chemicals. The follicle walls continue to distend and may break, leading to the release of the contents into the surrounding dermis. The body mounts an intense inflammatory reaction that may result in papules, pustules or nodules which we commonly recognise as the lesions of acne.

Factors that may cause or aggravate adult acne:

1. Drugs such as: Lithium, topical or systemic corticosteroids, anabolic steroids, certain types of oral contraceptive pills (oestrogen-dominant oral contraceptive pills may improve acne, while Oral contraceptive pills which contains a progestin with significant androgenic activity may aggravate acne).

2. Occupation: exposure to acnegenic mineral oils, halogenated hydrocarbons, dioxin, others.

3. Genetic Factors: Severe acne may be associated with XYY syndrome.

4. Cosmetic Induced: Certain cosmetics have ingredients that are comedogenic and may block the hair follicle openings (pore) on the skin, leading to bacterial proliferation and resultant inflammatory process with the follicle.

5. Occlusion or pressure acne: Any impermeable material worn on the skin for prolonged period of time can cause acne. Also materials that are in constant contact with the skin and cause friction or maceration can lead to acne. Occupational acne is most commonly seen in soldiers who develop acne where their bare flesh is in constant contact with their rucksacks and other equipment which they carry for prolonged periods of time. It may also be seen in person involved in regular bondage or fetish activities which involves the use outfits made of leather, rubber or PVC.

6. Emotional stress can exacerbate acne.

Severity of Acne:

Mild to Moderate Acne: It is the most common from of acne. Mild to moderate acne may have a combination of acne spots, such as whiteheads, blackheads, papules (red spots) and even pustules (a white or yellow pus filled centre surrounded by an inflamed red circle.

Severe Acne: Nodules and Cysts are the main lesions. Nodules appear has hard painful bumps beneath the skin and can take months to heal, and scarring is common. Cysts, like nodules are painful, but are pus filled and larger (more than 5mm in diameter) in size. They too commonly heal with scarring.

Treatment of Acne:

Whether acne occurs in teenagers or adults, the treatment is dependent upon the severity of the lesions and psychological impact it has on the individual. Acne can very broadly be classified as mild acne, moderate acne or severe acne. For mild acne topical treatments are the first line of therapy. In moderate cases along with the topical treatment, oral antibiotics may be added. In severe cases oral retinoid may be prescribed after blood test and close supervision by the treating dermatologist (as side effects with such a treatment can be serious).

Over the counter products for acne treatment:

1. Benzoyl peroxide gels or creams are the most popular over the counter topical treatment for acne. They are effective in treating comedonal and papulopustular acne. Improvements occur over a period of months.

2. Topical preparations containing Salicylic acid helps to correct abnormal shedding of skin cells and unclog pores. Like benzoyl peroxide it needs to be used regularly otherwise pores may become blocked when treatment is stopped. It is found in many over the counter products such as lotions, creams and gels. It may be irritating to the skin.

3. Topical preparations containing nicotinamide has been shown to help to treat acne.

4. Natural remedy: Tea tree oil has been shown to have anti-microbial activity and that is probably why it is popular among those who want a 'natural' treatment. Unfortunately only a few studies have been done, so its actual effect on acne is still unclear. But one study that compared tea tree oil to benzoyl peroxide found it to improve acne but was not as effective as benzoyl peroxide.

5. Turmeric creams have been used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat acne.

Avoid:

Avoid products that contain ingredients that are may irritate your skin (e.g. Acetone, Algin, Laureth 4, Octyl stearate, etc), or contain comedogenic ingredients (e.g. Acetylated Lanolin, cocoa butter, Potassium chloride, Sodium Lauryl sulphate, etc). The presence of a comedogenic ingredient does not mean it will cause comedone because it also depends on the formula and what is its intended use. For instance a cleanser will remain on the face for a short time compared to a moisturiser. The list is extensive but only a few have been mentioned here.

What would a dermatologist prescribe?

If the topical over the counter remedies do not work, then a dermatologist after evaluating the severity of the acne lesions and the psychological condition of the patient may prescribe:

1. Mild Acne: Topical antibiotic or topical retinoid creams.

2. Moderate Acne: In addition to a topical treatment, an oral antibiotic may be added.

3. Severe Acne: Isotretinoin is a powerful retinoid drug that is usually reserved for severe acne, which has failed to respond to all other treatments. It inhibits sebaceous gland function and inhibits keratinisation and has proved to be very effective for severe acne. But it does have serious side effects and thus must be closely monitored by your dermatologist. Pregnancy must be avoided at all costs while on this treatment.

In conclusion I want to say that Acne is one of the most common skin conditions that affects almost everyone of us at some in our lives. Most of us experience it during our teenage years while a few of us experience it during our adult life. But at whatever age it decides to pay us a visit, it affects us in more ways than one.

Dr Tuhin Dev is a skincare expert, entrepreneur and founder of Dr Tuhin Dev Skin Care Ltd, which is based in the United Kingdom. To learn more about him and what he does please visit http://www.drtuhindev.co.uk. If you enjoyed this article, you can find other articles written by him at http://blog.drtuhindev.co.uk.