Acne Treatment Guide

There are many causes of acne, some which are preventable and others which, unfortunately, are not. A buildup of dead skin cells and sebum, oil naturally produced in the pores of your skin, can create blockage in the follicles. When bacteria get trapped under the blockage in the pores, it creates the swollen, red bumps we call pimples. –But what causes the buildup of skin cells and oil in the first place?

 

There is very strong suggestion that acne can be linked through hereditary means, however the exact genetic pattern is not well understood. Studies have shown that teenagers whose parents have suffered with acne are at a greater risk of developing acne.

 

Hormones are one of the leading causes for acne breakouts—especially in teenagers and women. As hormones are responsible for maturing the glands that produce sebum, a slight flux in hormones can cause an overproduction of oil. This is why acne is so common around the time of puberty. Also, women are at a greater risk of having acne around menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause due to hormone level changes. For women, birth control is often an effective acne treatment as it regulates hormone levels.

 

And overabundance of bacteria also causes higher risk of developing acne. The more bacteria that is present, the more likely it will get trapped in the pores by cells and oil and cause a breakout.

 

A deficiency in vitamins can heighten the chances of developing acne. Our skin requires a certain amount of vitamins to remain healthy. The most beneficial vitamins for skin health are C, E, A, K, and B. Not only will these vitamins help your skin to regulate cell shedding and oil, but they can also help counter the effects of sun damage, photo damage, and wrinkles.

 

Stress is probably one of the most prominent contributors to acne. As acne can cause stress in teens and adults, that stress can in turn worsen an existing breakout. It’s catch-22! Our bodies deal with stress in many different ways, and one of the more noticeable is a breakout of pimples.

 

There are a few recommendations to help prevent and treat breakouts that you can apply to your everyday life.

 

·         Gently wash your face twice a day with a mild cleanser

·         Wash after activities such as exercise and sports

·         Make sure you hair, skin, and make-up products are “oil-free”

·         Do not scrub your face with a washcloth

·         Do not pop pimples, as this can cause scarring

·         Try not to wear tight clothes that can rub and irritate your skin; sporting equipment such as shoulder pads and helmets can also irritate acne—try to wear them only when necessary, and cleanse the skin afterward

 

While there are no guaranteed techniques to reduce stress, it’s always a good idea to set aside some time in which you can do stress-free things that you enjoy. Even though a great deal of the leading acne causes are beyond our control, it is still a good idea to commit yourself to a good cleansing routine and to follow the above-mentioned guidelines. 

 

Acne Causes and Treatment

Many of us know what it’s like to struggle with breakouts—especially the agonizing hunt for treatments and possible scarring that can result. While many people assume that acne is a pubescent, teenage ailment, this is far from the truth. Adult acne is much more common than people realize, yet the causes of adult and teenage acne are much the same. There are many causes of acne, and understanding them is the first step to taking preventative measures.

So what causes acne? Contrary to popular belief, acne is not a direct result of poor hygiene. If it were a simple case of keeping one’s face clean, acne wouldn’t be such a common difficulty to treat. Let’s get down to the basics. What is known in the dermatology realm as a sebaceous hair follicle (“pore” to most of us), is where pimples begin. There are glands in the pores that work to produce “sebum”—oil that works like a natural moisturizer to keep our skin moist and pliable. Our skin works with the natural oil to slough away the dead skin cells so the new ones can flourish. When the dead cells shed unevenly, they can become sticky which ends up creating a plug, of sorts, in the pore. Due to the blockage, bacteria get trapped in the follicle, and because the skin’s sebum is still being produced, the follicle becomes swollen. From the point of the pore becoming blocked by dead cells to the result of a visible pimple, the process is about 2 – 3 weeks.

As mentioned earlier, there are many causes behind the uneven cell shedding and the amount of oil produced. Some of the greatest factors that contribute are hormones (especially in women), genetics, bacteria, vitamin deficiency, and stress.

Hormones are responsible for the maturing of the sebum glands in our pores. Whenever our bodies encounter a hormonal change, the result is usually an overproduction of sebum, causing an oily face which will result in clogged pores and a breakout of pimples. Women are especially susceptible to hormonal changes due to menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause. A common treatment for acne in women is the prescription of birth control, as it helps to regulate hormones.

Acne also has a direct link to hereditary causes. If your parents or grandparents suffered from acne, and you also find yourself battling breakouts, chances are yours is a hereditary case. The recommended treatment is to choose a treatment routine (a dermatologist would be the best help in selecting one) and stick to it. Also, switching your makeup, skincare, and body-care to non-comedogenic products can be a huge help.

Bacteria is another big contributor to acne. Usually, a good over-the-counter cleanser, toner, and moisturizer routine is enough to limit the amount of bacteria on your face. You may have to experiment with different types of cleansers to find the right one for your skin type. The most common types address dry, normal/combination, and oily skin.

Taking a complete multi-vitamin is an excellent benefit not only for your acne, but to your body as a whole. Upping your vitamin levels can aid your white blood cells in effectively eliminating bacteria in existing pimples. In addition, vitamins can help improve your skin’s health, enabling it to shed dead cells more effectively and produce healthy amounts of oil.

Stress is one of the harder causes to treat. Try to set aside a certain amount of time every day in which you can chill out—maybe watch some TV, listen to music, or read a book. Stress can have various harmful effects on your body, acne being one of the less-serious. It’s important that you allow yourself time to relax and allow your body to recuperate from each day’s stress.

There are many remedies and treatments available, so just take it one step at a time and see what works for you. Remember to keep in mind that some of the causes of acne are beyond your control. The best you can do is seek the advice of a dermatologist and take care of yourself to the best of your ability.