Acne is a skin disorder resulting from the action of hormones and other substances on the skin’s oil glands and hair follicles. When these happen, your pores become plugged and lesions outbreak. And they are called pimples or zits. Most of the time, acne lesions occur on the face, neck, back, chest, and they also can appear on shoulders. Even though people tend to be distressed over acne, it does not cause a serious health threat. However, the worst case of acne can lead to permanent scarring on your face and neck.
Tag: about acne
Friday, January 22nd, 2010
Facts about acne
Acne is a disease that affects the skin’s oil glands. The small holes in your skin (pores) connect to oil glands under the skin. These glands make an oily substance called sebum. The pores connect to the glands by a canal called a follicle. Inside the follicles, oil carries dead skin cells to the surface of the skin. A thin hair also grows through the follicle and out to the skin. When the follicle of a skin gland clogs up, a pimple grows.
Most pimples are found on the face, neck, back, chest, and shoulders. Acne is not a serious health threat but, it can cause scars.
Source: NIAMS
Tags: about acne, acne cause
Monday, November 2nd, 2009
Adult acne: Is it Possible to Have Pimples as an Adult?
When we hear the term acne, the image that comes to mind is the spotty-faced, gangly teenager. We picture the awkward adolescent going through physical changes as he moves from childhood to adulthood. Although the majority of people that suffer from acne are teenagers a significant number of adults suffer from acne as well. This condition is termed, Adult Acne.In reality, acne can become a problem at any age.
Adult acne is when acne occurs in people twenty years of age and above. It can be brought on by any number of things however one of the most common causes is as a reaction to stress medication. Many people mistakenly say that stress causes acne because people with high-stress levels can often break out in spots.
However, the reaction is usually to the medication that they are placed on rather than to the stress itself. Doctors are not sure exactly what about the medication causes acne to break out but usually prescribe additional medication to cure the acne.
Adult women are often known to suffer from an attack of acne when they stop using oral contraceptives. Stopping the use of The Pill causes hormonal changes in the body. Hormones and the condition of the skin seem to be very closely related. The clogged pores that cause acne to appear are affected by what is happening in the body hormonally. Under normal conditions, the ovaries produce both estrogen and testosterone. Testosterone is a male hormone. Although it is normal that it is present in the female body, estrogen should always be in higher concentrations than testosterone. When it is not, problems arise.
Research shows that hormones strongly affect the way that the skin looks and behaves. To put it simply, the balance between androgen and estrogen is fine. When one of these hormones is out of balance in a woman’s body, the effects are seen in the skin. This is the reason that many women see acne appear and re-appear with their menstrual cycle. Hormone therapy is one solution to hormone-induced acne. It works on reducing androgens and preventing them from stimulating the sebaceous gland into producing the large amounts of oil that feed the acne bacteria below the surface of the skin. This treatment can be very effectiveThere are many effective treatments for acne. The more you know about them, the better.
As you can see, acne is not always related to proper washing and hygiene, nor is it related to a bad diet. Researchers have found that hormones affect the skin and the development of acne. This is a medical condition and therefore should be treated by a trained doctor or dermatologist. There are many over the counter drugs and treatments, only attempt to use these after consulting a medical professional.
Tags: about acne, acne cause, Adult Acne
Friday, October 2nd, 2009
Acne Hygiene – acne is not caused by dirt
Acne Hygiene
One of the most common misconceptions about acne is that it’s caused by dirt. It’s not! Acne is caused by a combination of factors you can’t control, like your hormone balance and the natural pace of your skin’s renewal system. Fortunately, there are a number of things you can control that may help you keep your acne in check. Begin by following these simple suggestions for healthy-skin hygiene.
Acne Prevention – Tip #1: Don’t over-wash. Since dirt is not causing your acne, excessive scrubbing and washing won’t make it go away. Try to limit yourself to two washings per day — anything more than that can leave your healthy skin dry, and your acne-prone areas irritated. Habitual over-washing may also stimulate extra oil production, which could result in more breakouts.
Acne Prevention – Tip #2: Skip harsh scrubs. It’s okay to exfoliate, but be sure to use a gentle formula with small, smooth grains. Avoid products with almond or apricot shell fragments; they can irritate or even tear your skin and further aggravate your acne.
Acne Prevention – Tip #3: Say no to alcohol. If you use a toner, avoid products with high concentrations of isopropyl alcohol, or common rubbing alcohol. A strong astringent, alcohol strips the top layer of your skin, causing your sebaceous glands to produce more oil. The result? Dry, red skin — and possibly more blemishes.
Acne Prevention – Tip #4: Don’t squeeze or pick. Squeezing or picking your blemishes — with fingernails, pins or anything else — can force bacteria deeper into the skin, causing greater inflammation and infection. You’ll also increase the damage to the surrounding skin, so the blemish is more likely to leave a permanent acne scar.
Acne Prevention – Tip #5: Hands off! Propionibacterium acnes (the bacteria that causes breakouts) is a normal resident of your skin; it doesn’t lead to acne until it gets trapped inside the hair follicle. Excessive touching of your face, including rubbing or even resting your chin in your hands, can drive bacteria into your pores — where it can begin its dirtywork.
Acne Prevention – Tip #6: Work out, wash off. When you exercise, your movement generates heat; clothing and equipment cause friction. Until you shower off, heat and moisture are trapped against your skin, creating an ideal breeding ground for the spread of bacteria. So whenever you can, shower off immediately after exercising.
Acne Prevention Treatment – Find a regimen and stick with it. Most cases of mild acne can be improved with “over-the-counter” products, or products that don’t require a prescription from your doctor. There is a wide range of treatments 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 down the road. But if your acne gets worse or lasts more than a couple of weeks, see a dermatologist. Here’s a quick listing of the most common products used to treat acne — click on the links that interest you for more information on that course of acne treatment.
For more information visit: Acnezine.com
Tags: about acne, acne cause, acne free trials, Acne Hygiene, Acne Treatment
Thursday, August 20th, 2009
Avoid touching your face too much when you have acne
The biggest thing to remember when dealing with acne is to avoid touching your face too much! Your hands touch everything around you, and when you touch your face, you’re not helping your acne problem, and you enter into the possibility of contracting viruses and diseases you otherwise might not have.
Of course, you’ve got to remember that it’s not always possible to avoid, especially because it’s a regular thing people do. As such, you must remember to wash your face regularly with things that have been clinically proven to work for your purposes. The use of some acne-marketed products may prove significantly helpful.
Also, some food allergies may worsen your acne. If you know you are allergic to some food item, avoid it, and if you suspect you are, do some research, keep a food diary, and find out for yourself. This will help with your overall health, also. If your acne is unusually severe, it’s advisable to contact your physician.
Tags: about acne, acne cause, avoid touching your face, dealing with acne, wash your face regularly with things that have been clinically proven
Tuesday, April 28th, 2009
What are the different types of acne lesions?
- Comedo (whiteheads or blackheads) or papules. The comedo is the basic acne lesion, which is a plugged pore. If the plugged pore stays under the skin, it’s called a closed comedo and forms a white bump or whitehead. Blackheads are comedos that open up and appear blackish on the surface of the skin. This black color is not due to dirt, but because the air reacts with the excess oil.
- Pustules or pimples. Pustules or pimples are acne lesions that contain pus and are red at the base.
- Nodules. These are more serious acne lesions. They lodge deeper in the skin, are painful, and can cause scarring.
- Cysts. Like nodules, these lesions are deep within in the skin, are painful, and are filled with pus, and can cause scarring.
Tags: about acne, acne cause
Thursday, April 23rd, 2009
How does acne affect women?
Most young women and men will have at least a few pimples over the course of their lives. But acne seems to affect men and women in different ways. Young men are more likely to have a more serious form of acne. Acne in young women tends to be more random and linked to hormone changes, such as the menstrual cycle.
As women get older, acne often gets better. But some women have acne for many years. Some women even get acne for the first time at age 30 or 40.
For many women, acne can be an upsetting illness. Women may have feelings of depression, poor body image, or low self-esteem. But you don’t have to wait to outgrow acne or to let it run its course. Today, almost every case of acne can be resolved. Acne also can, sometimes, be prevented. Talk with your doctor or dermatologist (a doctor who specializes in treating skin problems) about how you can help prevent acne and if treatment would help you.
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Tags: about acne
Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009
What is acne?
Acne is a disorder that causes outbreaks of skin lesions commonly called pimples. It is caused by the skin’s oil glands making too much sebum, an oily substance, which leads to plugged pores. It also can be caused by the rapid production of a bacteria P. acnes.
Acne lesions occur mostly on the face, neck, back, chest, and shoulders. It is the most common skin disease. Although acne is not a serious health threat, severe acne can lead to disfiguring and permanent scarring.
Source: Women’s Health
Tags: about acne
Saturday, April 18th, 2009
How do I clean my skin with acne?
Clean Skin Gently
If you have acne, you should gently wash your face with a mild cleanser, once in the morning and once in the evening, as well as after heavy exercise. Wash your face from under the jaw to the hairline and be sure to thoroughly rinse your skin.
Ask your doctor or another health professional for advice on the best type of cleanser to use.
Using strong soaps or rough scrub pads is not helpful and can actually make the problem worse. Astringents are not recommended unless the skin is very oily, and then they should be used only on oily spots.
It is also important to shampoo your hair regularly. If you have oily hair, you may want to wash it every day.
Avoid Frequent Handling of the Skin
Avoid rubbing and touching skin lesions. Squeezing, pinching or picking blemishes can lead to the development of scars or dark blotches.
Shave Carefully
Men who shave and who have acne should test both electric and safety razors to see which is more comfortable. When using a safety razor, make sure the blade is sharp and soften your beard thoroughly with soap and water before applying shaving cream. Shave gently and only when necessary to reduce the risk of nicking blemishes.
Avoid a Sunburn or Suntan
Many of the medicines used to treat acne can make you more prone to sunburn. A sunburn that reddens the skin or suntan that darkens the skin may make blemishes less visible and make the skin feel drier. However, these benefits are only temporary, and there are known risks of excessive sun exposure, such as more rapid skin aging and a risk of developing skin cancer.
Choose Cosmetics Carefully
While undergoing acne treatment, you may need to change some of the cosmetics you use. All cosmetics, such as foundation, blush, eye shadow, moisturizers, and hair-care products should be oil free. Choose products labeled noncomedogenic (meaning they don’t promote the formation of closed pores). In some people, however, even these products may make acne worse.
For the first few weeks of treatment, applying foundation evenly may be difficult because the skin may be red or scaly, particularly with the use of topical tretinoin or benzoyl peroxide.
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Tags: about acne, clean skin
Wednesday, April 15th, 2009
Who Gets Acne?
People of all races and ages get acne. It is most common in adolescents and young adults. An estimated 80 percent of all people between the ages of 11 and 30 have acne outbreaks at some point. For most people, acne tends to go away by the time they reach their thirties; however, some people in their forties and fifties continue to have this skin problem.
Tags: about acne, acne cause