Acne Treatment- Tips on how to approach the condition

Every individual wishes to have flawless, radiating skin. Certain factors like pollution, unhealthy eating habits trigger the occurrence of acne. Acne and acne scars can affect the confidence level of people to a great extent. However, there is nothing to worry about it. There are several home remedies and solutions for acne.

It is better to research about the types of acne, causes, and common myths prior to acne treatment. Even after taking over-the-counter medications, if the acne problem still persists, then it is better to consult a dermatologist for an effective acne treatment.



Types of acne and its treatment
Acne is a clogged hair follicle on the skin containing oil and bacteria. The treatment for acne varies from individual to individual. It is necessary to find out the type of acne before starting an acne treatment. There are two types of acne like inflammatory and non-inflammatory. The non-inflammatory acne is also known as whiteheads. If the clogged follicle stays below the surface of the lesion, then it is known as a whitehead. It appears as white bumps on the skin. If whiteheads get enlarged and push towards the surface of the skin, it turns out to be a blackhead. It appears dark due to the melanin buildup, which is the skin's dark pigment. Inflammatory acne appears as a small, firm pink bump. The acute form of acne lesions like nodules and cysts are painful. There are many permanent solutions and you can choose the appropriate acne treatment based on the type of acne.

Teen acne
Almost every teenager has encountered acne at least once in their lifetime. A recent study conducted by the American Medical Association reported that acne is one of the leading concerns of a teenager. As it affects their self-esteem, they do not even like to step out of their homes or attend social gatherings. Adolescents get acne as their body produces androgen hormones when they attain puberty. It will lead to breakouts, which is more in boys than girls. When the androgen enters the oil glands in the skin, it produces extra oil, leading to the occurrence of dead skin cells on the top layer of skin. Oil and bacteria get trapped inside the pores, causing red, painful pimples and black spots. If you undergo an acne treatment at the right time, then it can be controlled. Such solutions for acne are transforming the lives of teenagers all across the globe.

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Adult acne
Adults are also often affected with acne. Half of the adult women in the world and a quarter of adult men are affected with this condition. However, these figures have got elevated over the past few years. Acne causes severe psychological, social and physical impacts on an individual. In a study conducted in 1999, it showed that the mean age of patients being treated for acne had increased considerably from 20.5 to 26.5 years. The increase in these numbers denotes that more people are getting acne, and more adults are seeking treatment for it. If this problem persists through adolescence into adulthood or appears suddenly after 30, then it can leave permanent physical scars. The skin loses its collagen when it ages and loses its ability to tackle tissue damage.

Causes of acne
Acne affects people of all age groups. After finding the type of acne, one can start the right treatment for acne. Let's take a look at the different causes of acne:
Hormones: They lead to the enlargement of the sebaceous glands, which in turn cause acne formation. Hormones are responsible for acne breakouts associated with the menstrual cycle and pregnancy.
Sebum: When the sebaceous gland is stimulated by hormones, it produces extra sebum. The excess sebum in the follicle leads to clogging and acne.
Follicle fallout: Dead cells present in the follicle shed slowly and get accumulated at the skin's surface. Those with overactive sebaceous glands shed these cells more especially during puberty. These dead cells prevent the skin from its natural renewal.
Bacteria: Bacterium Propionibacterium is present on most of the skin types. It is a part of the skin's natural sebum maintenance system. Once the follicle is plugged, Bacterium Propionibacterium multiplies and leads to inflammation in the follicle and surrounding skin.
Inflammation: When the skin encounters unwanted bacteria, it sends an army of white blood cells to attack the intruders. This process is known as inflammation. It makes the pimples red, swollen, and painful.

Myths associated with acne
A common myth about acne is that it occurs due to dirt. Washing the face or body more than twice or thrice in a day does not reduce acne. It will deprive the skin of its natural oils. There is another saying that acne is only for teenagers, and it goes away when a teenager becomes old enough. However, this is a wrong notion as acne can affect older people as well.

A healthy diet is essential to prepare the body to fight against acne. Always opt for non-comedogenic and non-clog poring makeup. As acne can affect a person's self-esteem, it is better to take the acne treatment at the right time so that they do not have to regret it later.

Contributed by Manisha Gupta