Acne - An Overview, Causes Treatment and Prevention

Acne is commonly known as pimples; it is a skin condition that commonly afflicts people during their teenage years. Acne pre-dominantly affects the face but can also show up on the back, neck, shoulders and chest. While most common in teenagers it can appear on adults as well. Neither race or gender is an indicator of acne as it affects male and female and all races equally. Read this article till end to get an overview about acne, it's causes, prevention and treatment.

Acne - An Overview

The medical term for it is Acne-Vulgaris. It can be diagnosed by the lesions that form on the skin. These lesions can take several different forms: blackheads, whiteheads and cysts. Cysts are formed when the pore becomes completely blocked. Acne is most common during puberty because at this time your body is creating an excess of sebum. Sebum is an oily substance designed to keep the hair and skin soft and lubricated. During puberty the production of sebum is greatly increased which can cause the skin to feel oily and clog pores.

Causes

The cause of Acne is not fully known, but there are several factors which contribute to the development of this inflammatory skin disorder. Your genes play a role in this, meaning if your parents or grandparents suffered this skin condition, you will be prone to getting it yourself. Most notably, there is a link to a change in hormonal activity, such as menstrual cycles and puberty. In the past the over production of sebum was considered to be the main cause of it. Sebum is an oily secretion of fats and the remains of fat producing cells, caused by hyperactive sebaceous glands in the skin.

During puberty there is also an increase in the production of follicle cells. Dead follicle cells mixed with sebum can build up and cause white heads. This mix of oil and dead cells is a perfect breeding ground for bacterial which will cause the swelling and redness associated with pimples.

However, it appears as though the narrowing of follicle channel, where the hair is rooted in the skin, is also a major factor causing common Acne. There are several other factors which can contribute, such as stress, accumulation of dead skin cells, an allergic reaction to bacteria in the pores, scratching and the usage of anabolic steroids.

Types of Acne

Acne comes in many forms. Although most commonly found on the face, it ranges from mild to severe and can be located anywhere on the body. Most frequently self-treated, mild cases are manageable. However, severe cases should be treated under the supervision of health professionals, such as dermatologists.

There are following 11 types of acne:

1. Acne Vulgaris


2. Acne Rosacea


3. Acne Fulminans


4. Acne Conglobata


5. Pyoderma Faciale


6. Blackheads


7. Whiteheads


8. Cysts


9. Pustules


10. Nodules


11. Gram-Negative Folliculitis

Acne is most common on the face, especially on the forehead, nose and chin. The back is the next most common area of affliction followed by the neck, chest and shoulders.

Treatment

Acne affects about 85% of all people sometime from the age of 12-24. Around 25% of these people will have it on their back and/or neck as well as the face. The acne will be severe enough to cause about 40% of these people to seek medical treatment.

Fortunately, in this day and age there are many treatments that can help. The foremost thing that can be done to help avoid or alleviate it is to keep the skin as clean and oil free as possible. Washing the most common problem areas several times a day with soap and water, especially after any activity that triggers perspiration, is usually adequate. There are also many medications available by prescription and over the counter to help with acne control.

If the acne is severe enough you can consult a dermatologist, they can prescribe medications for the skin as well as antibiotics to help fight the bacteria. They can also offer advise on life style and diet changes that might help with the condition.

Acne can have severe emotional and psychological repercussions. Since it affects their appearance it also affects their self-image and self-esteem. Teenagers are especially vulnerable to this attack on their self-confidence and can even trigger withdraw and depression, as well as feelings of anger and frustration.

PREVENTION

Acne is not the same as having a few zits, or a few pimples appearing on your face. It can even spread to different parts of the body, including your neck, your back, and your chest, and can be a very embarrassing skin condition. Those who have severe acne should most certainly seek the advice of a dermatologist for possible treatment options. For those who do not have acne, most of the time, you can prevent it from ever occurring. The following paragraphs will take a look at a few ways to prevent this skin condition.

Eat Healthy

Most people do not realize it, but our skin is the largest organ that expels waste from our bodies, in conjunction with our intestines, bladders, and colons. Because of this, how we eat will be reflected in by the condition of our skin. By eliminating unhealthy foods from our diets, we are decreasing the amount of toxin being expelled from our pores. Thus, we can help prevent an acne outbreak from development by eating a healthier diet. Nutrients recommended to add to your diet to help with it's prevention include:

• Zinc


• Vitamin A


• Vitamin E


• Vitamin B6

Each of these vitamins and minerals can aid in the prevention of acne in their own way. While zinc, especially in the form of zinc gluconate or zinc sulfate, can reduce the androgenic hormonal effects on our skin. Vitamin A can help reduce sebum production. Vitamin E helps protect skin cell membrane from damage, as well as helps maintain healthy skin my eliminating harmful free radicals from our bodies, that can often be generated during physical activities. Vitamin B6 helps prevent premenstrual acne, and reduce the sensitivity to the effects of testosterone. By adding foods rich in these vitamins and nutrients to your diet, you can reduce your chances of getting acne.

Exercise

Getting regular exercise can also help prevent acne. When we exercise, we are increasing the blood flow to our skin, and providing more oxygen to our skin cells. Sweating moderately also cleans our skin pores from the inside out, also aiding in the prevention of acne. Regular exercise and moderate sweating are excellent ways of helping to prevent acne, but taking a shower immediately afterwards is very important.

Detoxification

Detoxification is the process of removing harmful toxins from our bodies. Many different types of cleansers are available to help prevent acne, including:

• Colon cleanses


• Liver flushes


• Enemas

When there is a toxin build up in vital parts of our digestive system, the toxins begin to excrete themselves from our skin pores, increasing the chances of an acne outbreak. By eliminating the build-up of toxins, we are helping to prevent acne.

CONCLUSION

Acne is a complex skin condition that has plagued millions and millions of people all throughout history. There are many different ways that you can approach this situation. While not all are successful for everyone, there are a few out there that can help you optimize the health of your skin. Seeking professional advice will help in determining the best method to apply for your type of skin.