Acne is a skin condition that is common in teenagers and those slightly older than teens. Most people grow out of it, but not all do. And no one wants to simply wait for it to go away, anyway. Not many easy methods to get rid of acne exist, but there are a number of methods that effectively control it.
The condition is caused by blockages in the pores, which normally secrete oils and other substances to keep the skin healthy. Hormones control the amount of oil produced, and because the hormones change so drastically during puberty and the teen years, these glands can go a bit crazy. The sticky mix of dead skin cells and excess oil can block the pores.
When the pores are blocked and plenty of dead skin cells and oil are present to feed on, the normal skin bacteria begin to grow out of control. The immune system responds, creating inflammation, redness and swelling. Sometimes, enough white blood cells and other infection-fighting molecules pile up in the pore and create a whitehead.
Blackheads are also caused by excessive oil production and dead skin cells, but these are situations where the pore does not become infected. Instead, the little plug of oil turns black near the skin's surface thanks to the oxidation of the oil where in comes in contact with air. The firm material that comes out of these is a mix of oil and skin cells called sebum.
Washing the face is important for everyone's general skin health, but washing too often is more commonly a problem than not washing enough. Once a day is the minimum required, but twice a day is actually the maximum. Washing more than this can trigger even greater oil production. Always use a face wash, not soap, as soaps are harsh and drying.
Dead skin cells are part of the issue, which can be reduced by using a sloughing agent like salicylic acid. When you use these types of treatments, however, always make sure to use a moisturizer afterwards to avoid dryness. Don't use medicated treatments together without your doctor's approval.
In severe cases, doctors may prescribe antibiotics to get rid of acne that is out of control. Bacteria are a normal part of the skin, however, and their removal can actually lead to problems from other bacteria that are not supposed to be there. For this and other reasons, antibiotic treatment is usually held as a last resort.
The condition is caused by blockages in the pores, which normally secrete oils and other substances to keep the skin healthy. Hormones control the amount of oil produced, and because the hormones change so drastically during puberty and the teen years, these glands can go a bit crazy. The sticky mix of dead skin cells and excess oil can block the pores.
When the pores are blocked and plenty of dead skin cells and oil are present to feed on, the normal skin bacteria begin to grow out of control. The immune system responds, creating inflammation, redness and swelling. Sometimes, enough white blood cells and other infection-fighting molecules pile up in the pore and create a whitehead.
Blackheads are also caused by excessive oil production and dead skin cells, but these are situations where the pore does not become infected. Instead, the little plug of oil turns black near the skin's surface thanks to the oxidation of the oil where in comes in contact with air. The firm material that comes out of these is a mix of oil and skin cells called sebum.
Washing the face is important for everyone's general skin health, but washing too often is more commonly a problem than not washing enough. Once a day is the minimum required, but twice a day is actually the maximum. Washing more than this can trigger even greater oil production. Always use a face wash, not soap, as soaps are harsh and drying.
Dead skin cells are part of the issue, which can be reduced by using a sloughing agent like salicylic acid. When you use these types of treatments, however, always make sure to use a moisturizer afterwards to avoid dryness. Don't use medicated treatments together without your doctor's approval.
In severe cases, doctors may prescribe antibiotics to get rid of acne that is out of control. Bacteria are a normal part of the skin, however, and their removal can actually lead to problems from other bacteria that are not supposed to be there. For this and other reasons, antibiotic treatment is usually held as a last resort.
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