Treating Acne

Most people tend to get spots at one time or another during their lifetime. However, acne is more than just a few random spots and pimples. Its effects can be widespread, with breakouts occurring on the face, neck, centre of the chest, upper back and shoulders. Acne is most common in the teen age group although people in their 20s and 30s may also have acne; and it can appear at the time of the menopause in some women if certain medications are being taken.

What causes Acne?

Acne is caused by an increased level of hormones called androgens which are produced by the body at the onset of puberty. These “male” hormones usually testosterone, are a natural part of development for both boys and girls, but boys tend to produce more of them. Thus the prevalence of more severe breakouts in boys is greater. The skin is covered with pores out of which hair follicles grow. The follicles house the shaft of the hair and a series of sebaceous or oil glands. The function of these glands is to produce sebum which forms a lubricated and protective barrier for the skin surface. Due to increased androgen levels the oil glands go into overdrive causing the excess sebum to block the pores with dead skin cells that are usually moved away by the sebum. This ‘plugging’ effect traps the bacteria resulting in ‘blackheads’ and ‘whiteheads’, leading to the body’s natural defence mechanisms, the white blood cells to the flood the area in order to rectify the problem. The result is red, painful bumps.

Some people believe that certain foods, such as chocolate cause acne. However there is no evidence that foods can cause acne.

Dealing With Acne

The best way to treat acne is to follow a series of simple steps:

Start by getting a regular cleansing routine established. Cleanse your face in the morning and at night with a mild cleanser. Since the skin needs some sebum in order to stay healthy, do not be tempted to over wash it or the sebaceous glands will over compensate and secrete more oil. To tone the skin or in other words to close the skin pores after they have been cleansed choose a product that is alcohol free. Solutions which contain high concentrations of isopropyl alcohol can strip the top layer of your skin, causing your glands to produce more oil. This can lead to dry, flaky skin and more outbreaks.

This is a good habit to get in to, as removing the dead skin cells from the surface of the skin stops future pore blockages. However choose a gentle scrub with small grains and avoids products with almond or apricot shell fragments; these can irritate and tear the skin, further aggravating acne. Being gentle also applies to drying your face after washing, do not rub it.

Although the temptation to touch spots is great, try to avoid doing so. The bacteria that causes acne, Propionibacterium Acnes can be found on the skin most of the time and it is not until it is trapped within the hair follicle that is causes trouble and leads to the formation of acne. It is advisable to keep fingers away from the face and the hair too. Squeezing or picking your blemishes with fingernails, pins or anything else can force bacteria deeper into the skin. This can cause greater inflammation and infection, increasing the chances that your pimple will leave a permanent scar.

If you wear make-up, be sure it is oil-free and non-comedogenic in other words it won’t clog your pores and make your breakouts worse. The same applies for your sunscreen and hair products; sticky sprays and gels can aggravate acne too. Always remember to keep your hair clean and away from the face too.

It is usually a good idea to wear loose clothing if you suffer from acne on the shoulders or back. Especially as heat and friction can cause acne flare-ups. Try to avoid hats and headbands, but if you must wear a cycling helmet; line it with a layer of clean, soft cotton. If you get hot after exercising, shower immediately to remove sweat.

Small controlled doses of sunshine can be good for acne treatment but overexposure will simply cause the rate at which dead skin cells are shed, to increase. This can lead to clogged pores and more acne. If you are taking certain types of acne medication, remember that it might make your skin more sensitive to the sun. Using an oil free sunscreen with an SPF (sun protection factor) of at least 15 for both UVA and UVB rays is recommended.

Most cases of mild acne can be improved without a doctor’s prescription. There is a wide range of ‘over the counter’ products available, and there’s a good chance one of them will work for you. If you start treatment before your acne gets severe, you’ll have a better chance of avoiding physical and emotional problems later on. If the acne persists then seek medical advice. The following is a quick listing of the most common products used to treat acne.

• Benzoyl Peroxide: Kills the bacteria that causes acne.
• Salicylic Acid: Unclogs pores and encourages skin renewal.
• Retinoids: Unclogs pores and promotes healthy sloughing.
• Antibiotics: Kill bacteria and reduces inflammation.
• Oral Contraceptives: Help regulate hormone levels.
• Anti-Androgens: Inhibit the body's production of acne-causing hormones.
• Isotretinoin (Accutane): Treatment for severe acne.

The most important thing to remember when dealing with acne, is not to get too stressed about it. Another is to maintain a healthy balanced diet, exercise regime and drink plenty of water to flush toxins out of the skin.