Also called acne vulgaris, acne is the most common skin condition in the United States. Approximately 40 million to 50 million Americans have acne.
Acne can occur at any age, but most people who have acne are teenagers and young adults.
Each year, 85 percent of U.S. teenagers will have acne. Common, reliable information about acne can seems scarce, and misinformation can make it difficult to achieve clearer skin.
Excessive washing and scrubbing will not prevent nor cure acne, but these can irritate the skin and make acne worse.
Dermatologists recommend gently washing the face once or twice a day with a mild cleanser and lukewarm water.
This helps remove excess sebum, which is crucial for controlling acne. If you have oily hair, shampooing daily will reduce the likelihood that oil from your hair gets on your skin.
Causes of acne
The cause of pimples is unknown. The process by which a pimple develops is highly intricate.
While we do know that a pore collapses on itself and blocks sebum (oil) from escaping, we do not fully understand why this process takes place in one sebaceous gland versus another.
Acne occurs when the hair follicles become plugged with oil and dead skin cells. Each follicle is connected to sebaceous glands.
These glands secrete an oily substance known as sebum to lubricate your hair and skin.
Sebum usually travels up along the hair shafts and then out from side to side the opening of the hair follicle onto the surface of your skin.
Symptoms of acne
Acne develops most often on the face, neck, chest, shoulders, or back and can range from mild to severe.
It can last for a few months, many years, or come and go your entire life.
Mild acne usually causes only whiteheads and blackheads. At times, these may develop into an infection in the skin pore (pimple).
1. Blackheads (open comedo) and Whiteheads (below the skin surface)
2. Nodules – large and firm lumps below the skin
3. Pustules – yellowish lumps on the skin surface, pus filled
4. Pimples – red spots with no pus – a symptom of non-inflammatory acne
5. Cysts – a sac, pus filled under the skin tissue of about 5mm in diameter – very painful
6. Dry, pink and itchy skin
7. Scarring
Treatment of acne
Mild acne
Treatment for mild acne (whiteheads, blackheads, or pimples) may include:
* Gentle cleansing with a mild soap (such as Dove or Neutrogena).
* Applying benzoyl remove the color (such as Brevoxyl or Benzac).
* Applying salicylic acid (such as Propa pH or Stridex).
Moderate to severe acne
Sometimes acne needs treatment with stronger medicines or a combination of therapies. Deeper blemishes, such as nodules and cysts, are more probable to leave scars.
1. Applying benzoyl peroxide.
2. Draining of large pimples and cysts by a doctor.
3. Applying prescription antibiotic gels, creams, or lotions.
4. Applying prescription retinoids.
5. Applying azelaic acid.
6. Taking prescription oral antibiotics.
Home Remedies for Acne
Application of a pack made by boiling 50 gm of raspberry, strawberry or blackberry leaves with 1.5 litres of water for 3 minutes will give itching free and soothing skin. This is a very effective home remedies for acne
Mix natural yogurt and fine oatmeal to a thick paste, apply and leave to dry. Wash the face with lukewarm water and pat dry. Afterwards you can apply any antibiotic lotion depending on the skin type.
The latest method these days used for the treatment of acne skin is the Aloe Vera. Soaps and gels made from Aloe Vera serves a good point in healing the acne damaged skin.
Cook 2-3 tea bags and mix with dried basil for 10-20 minutes. Apply this on the face and acne with a cotton ball.
The orange peel is priceless in the treatment of acne.
Make a paste by mixing honey and cinnamon powder. Apply the paste while latent and wash the face next morning as this is a good natural medicine for acne.
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