Acne is a rather common skin disease among teenagers because of the increase of sex hormones after reaching the age of puberty. But about 20-40% of adults also suffer from acne problems. For most people the effects of teenage acne lessen over time and disappear after one riches one’s early twenties. But it’s hard to predict how long it will take to get rid of acne entirely and some individuals will have adult acne in their thirties, forties and beyond.
Acne is usually caused by a combination of sebum (skin oil), bacteria and dead cells which concentrate in the skin pore. When the sells block the skin pore it provokes a buildup of sebum under the skin. This sebum causes the multiplication of bacteria and the inflammation of surrounding tissues. Inflammation near the skin surface results in different types of acne. Acne effects mostly skin areas where there are many sebaceous follicles like the face, the upper part of the chest and the back.
The features of acne are
- scaly red skin;
- blackheads and whiteheads;
- pimples;
- pustules (pus-filled yellowish bumps).
The term acne vulgaris is the medical term for common acne, which is comprised of blackheads and whiteheads. If the inflammation is deep and severe, or if the spot is picked or squeezed, the pus can penetrate deep into the skin tissues rather than onto the surface. Swelling and pain take place because the body's defense mechanism sends bacteria-fighting cells to the area. This deep inflammation and infection causes cyst formation. Cystic acne is the most severe type of the disease, and carries the biggest risk of acne scars appearance.
Acne Rosacea mostly experienced by middle-aged adults. This type of adult acne is characterized by flushing of the face, and the formation of inflamed bumps on the forehead, cheeks, nose, and chin. Sometimes the redness on the face makes people think that this type of acne is the result of excessive drinking. Actually, drinking has nothing to do with the rash, but is believed to aggravate the symptoms. The exact causative factor for this disorder is unknown.
Perioral Dermatitis can occur mostly in young women. The signs of perioral dermatitis are tiny papules (red bumps), pustules and scaling with intensive itching. It is usually localized on the surrounding area of the mouth, on the chin, sometimes involves the eyelids and the forehead.
Corticosteroid Acne can cause nasty cases of facial acne, pustules on the chest, back, arms and thighs. Together with other effects such as the development of body hair, thinning of scalp hair have been reported to be the result of taking steroids.
It should be taken into account that acne usually isn’t caused by:
- food – greasy, fried and junk food may be harmful for health but it’s not proved that some certain kind of food can cause acne; however, this factor is individual and if you notice that some products worsen your acne be careful taking them;
- dirt – sweat also doesn’t cause acne and blackheads have nothing to do with dirt (they contain oxidized oil); on the contrary, immoderate washing can dry and irritate skin;
- cosmetics – most skin-care products don’t clog the pores;
- heredity – most people don’t experience the problem exactly as their parents did.
On the other hand the following factors may contribute to the development of acne:
- stress – emotional stress can cause acne last longer;
- menstruation – some women notice that acne worsens during menstruation;
- pressure – sometimes acne can aggravated by the pressure from helmets, collars, suspenders, chinstraps and the like;
- occupation – a person exposed to industrial products at work is more likely to have acne;
- drugs – some medications (for example, steroids, anticonvulsant medications, lithium or those containing iodides, bromides) can provoke acne.
In spite of the acne’s negative impact the majority of people suffering from the disease allow the problem to continue and only 16% take medical care.
There are home care steps that maybe won’t get rid of acne but will help to reduce its effects:
- keeping the skin of the face dry and clean (but remember that, as I have already mentioned, excessive washing can't prevent or cure acne);
- washing the face carefully and gently once or twice a day with an anti-bacteria soap (soft cleanser);
- using a light, non-oil-based moisturizer after each washing of the face;
- avoiding cosmetic products that include synthetic chemicals and vegetable oils;
- incase of oily hair, shampooing daily and keeping hair off the face;
- avoiding picking at or touching skin lesions;
- avoiding pressure on irritated skin from clothes;
- applying hot compresses to pimples and pustules.
But to avoid permanent scarring, poor self-image, depression and anxiety dermatologists recommend that acne should be properly treated. Treatment for acne should continue for as long as necessary to prevent the disease from recurring.
Overnight results are impossible in acne cure. So the truth is that an overnight treatment or immediate cure for acne does not exist, acne treatment takes time and it must be ongoing to be effective.