by: Michael Sanford

If you are on your teenage years, pretty good chances that you have
some acne. About 8 to 10 preteens and teens have acne along with
many adults. It is but a common skin problem that is considered to
be a normal part of puberty. Apparently, it does make teen or any
individual uncomfortable and it doesn’t make it easier when you look
in the mirror and see the big pimple on your face or chin. However,
there is good news such as simple steps that will help you feel
better about your face.

Acne is a skin condition that shows up as different types of bumps
including whiteheads, blackheads, pimples and cysts. You are always
wondering how those pimples have grown onto your face or the how you
got those zits on your back. The simplest scientific explanation
that you could know is that your skin is covered with tiny holes
called hair follicles or pores. These pores contain sebaceous glands
also known as oil glands that make sebum, oil that moisten your skin
and hair. Glands, most of the time, make the right amount of sebum
and the pores are fine. But sometimes, a pore gets clogged up with
too much sebum, dead skin cells and germs called bacteria thus
causing you to have acne.

Doctors believe acne results from several related factors but the
exact cause is unknown. One important factor is the increase in
hormones called androgens (male sex hormones). The increase in
hormones during puberty causes the enlargement of sebaceous glands
thus making more sebum. Also, the hormonal changes related to
pregnancy or starting or stopping birth control pills can cause
acne. Hereditary or genetics is another factor that acne may be
related to. Others believe that the tendency to develop acne is
inherited from parents. Certain drugs including lithium and
androgens are known to cause acne. Likewise, greasy cosmetics may
alter the cells of the follicles and make them stick together thus
producing a plug.

Moreover, there are many myths about what causes acne. People often
blame chocolates and greasy foods but foods seem to have little
effect on the development and course of acne in most people. Dirty
skin is as well believed to cause the skin disorder; however,
blackheads and other acne lesions are not caused by dirt. Lastly,
stress does not cause acne. Obviously, there are several factors
that can make the acne worse. The changing hormone levels in the
adolescent girls and adult women 2 to 7 days before their menstrual
period starts affect the worsening of the acne. Leaning on or
rubbing the skin, environmental irritants, squeezing or picking at
blemishes and hard scrubbing of the skin are other factors that
could worsen acne conditions.

Aside from the dermatologist who specializes on skin problems, there
are doctors who treat all kinds of acne, particularly those of
severe cases. Family practitioners, pediatricians or internists may
treat individuals with milder cases of acne. It is always the goal
of the treatment to heal existing lesions, stop new lesions from
forming, prevent scarring as well as minimize the psychological
stress and embarrassment caused by the disease. The drug treatment
is to reduce several problems playing a part in causing acne;
abnormal clumping of cells in the follicles, increased oil
production, bacteria and inflammation. The doctor will recommend one
of several over-the-counter (OTC) medicines or prescription
medicines either topical (applied to the skin) or systematic (oral
medication) depending on the extent of the person’s acne.

For more Acne related information please visit the acne resource
center.