How to Treat Acne
Acne is no fun for anyone. Most people have experienced it in some way or another, whether big or small. Commonly known as zits, blackheads, or whiteheads, the technical name is acne vulgaris. The unsightly red marks and blemishes that all teenagers fear are a common skin condition caused by a number of factors. While for some people it is somewhat inevitable, the good news is that it is treatable. There are many options for acne treatment in Short Hills.
Causes
Acne is largely caused by blockage from oil and dead skin cells in the pores of the skin. These blockages lead to swelling and redness in the affected areas. Acne is typically found on the face, neck, chest, back, and shoulders and can range from mild to severe. There are a number of factors that are known to cause acne which range from genetic predispositions and body chemistry to environmental factors. There has been research that has shown that those who have a family history of acne are more likely to experience it themselves.
Acne is very common amongst teens due to hormonal changes in their body chemistries. During the teen years, increased levels of growth hormone occur and often lead to acne. Most individuals will outgrow their acne as they leave their teen years behind and stop growing but it can continue into adulthood for some.
While genetic predispositions and body chemistry play a large role in acne production, environmental factors also play a large role. Since acne is largely caused by blockage in the pores, exposure to substances that may block pores will increase the chance of an individual experiencing this condition. For example, some cosmetics don’t let the skin breath and can cause acne. Also, prolonged exposure to dust or other fine particles in the air can clog up pores and cause acne.
Prevention
The main thing to keep in mind when it comes to preventing acne is to try to keep the skin clean. Remember, acne is caused by blockage of the pores so any oil, dead skin, excess cosmetics, or other stuff on the skin that isn’t supposed to be there can lead to acne. The best way to prevent acne is to keep your skin clean! Avoiding skin products that are known to clog the skin is an excellent practice and it’s wise to look for cosmetics that are labeled as ‘nocomedogenic’ because they won’t clog the pores. It’s also good to wash your face several times a day with a mild soap or an acne rinse.
Treatment
While prevention is the best policy, it’s not always enough. Even those taking very good care of their skin may experience acne from time to time. For light breakouts using an acne cream will typically produce good results. A good acne cream should have benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid as one of the ingredients. It’s also important not to pick or scratch at the pimples. This will not help them heal and may even lead to scarring in more severe cases.
For more serious acne conditions, more serious treatment options are available. It’s important to consult a dermatologist and get advice and possibly a prescription as well. There are a number of topical creams as well as oral medications available to treat more severe cases of acne. The main goals of these medications are to unclog pores, kill any bacteria that might be infecting them, reduce the production of skin oil, and reduce hormone levels.
Typically when acne manifests itself as red bumps without breaking open and creating open sores topical creams work best. This type of acne is known as comedonal acne and means that bacterial infection is not generally present. The presence of open sores in acne often means that a bacterial infection is taking place and so antibiotics are often required to help clear up the skin.
Acne can be a very unpleasant and embarrassing condition. Luckily it is generally not permanent and not life threatening. While it might mess up your plans for a hot date it is treatable and typically won’t leave lasting scars. Most people have dealt with it in some for or other and are understanding of others struggling with the condition. If over-the-counter remedies and prevention strategies aren’t cutting it, check with a dermatologist to see if prescription options are right for you.
Causes
Acne is largely caused by blockage from oil and dead skin cells in the pores of the skin. These blockages lead to swelling and redness in the affected areas. Acne is typically found on the face, neck, chest, back, and shoulders and can range from mild to severe. There are a number of factors that are known to cause acne which range from genetic predispositions and body chemistry to environmental factors. There has been research that has shown that those who have a family history of acne are more likely to experience it themselves.
Acne is very common amongst teens due to hormonal changes in their body chemistries. During the teen years, increased levels of growth hormone occur and often lead to acne. Most individuals will outgrow their acne as they leave their teen years behind and stop growing but it can continue into adulthood for some.
While genetic predispositions and body chemistry play a large role in acne production, environmental factors also play a large role. Since acne is largely caused by blockage in the pores, exposure to substances that may block pores will increase the chance of an individual experiencing this condition. For example, some cosmetics don’t let the skin breath and can cause acne. Also, prolonged exposure to dust or other fine particles in the air can clog up pores and cause acne.
Prevention
The main thing to keep in mind when it comes to preventing acne is to try to keep the skin clean. Remember, acne is caused by blockage of the pores so any oil, dead skin, excess cosmetics, or other stuff on the skin that isn’t supposed to be there can lead to acne. The best way to prevent acne is to keep your skin clean! Avoiding skin products that are known to clog the skin is an excellent practice and it’s wise to look for cosmetics that are labeled as ‘nocomedogenic’ because they won’t clog the pores. It’s also good to wash your face several times a day with a mild soap or an acne rinse.
Treatment
While prevention is the best policy, it’s not always enough. Even those taking very good care of their skin may experience acne from time to time. For light breakouts using an acne cream will typically produce good results. A good acne cream should have benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid as one of the ingredients. It’s also important not to pick or scratch at the pimples. This will not help them heal and may even lead to scarring in more severe cases.
For more serious acne conditions, more serious treatment options are available. It’s important to consult a dermatologist and get advice and possibly a prescription as well. There are a number of topical creams as well as oral medications available to treat more severe cases of acne. The main goals of these medications are to unclog pores, kill any bacteria that might be infecting them, reduce the production of skin oil, and reduce hormone levels.
Typically when acne manifests itself as red bumps without breaking open and creating open sores topical creams work best. This type of acne is known as comedonal acne and means that bacterial infection is not generally present. The presence of open sores in acne often means that a bacterial infection is taking place and so antibiotics are often required to help clear up the skin.
Acne can be a very unpleasant and embarrassing condition. Luckily it is generally not permanent and not life threatening. While it might mess up your plans for a hot date it is treatable and typically won’t leave lasting scars. Most people have dealt with it in some for or other and are understanding of others struggling with the condition. If over-the-counter remedies and prevention strategies aren’t cutting it, check with a dermatologist to see if prescription options are right for you.