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Monday, January 26, 2009

Distressing Acne and Its Possible Causes

By David Lam

There is pretty good chances that you might get some acne if you are on your teen years. About 8 out of 10 youngsters have acne along with many adults. It is a common skin problem which is considered to be a normal part of puberty.

Apparently, it does make teen or any individual uncomfortable. 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 which will help you feel better about your face.

Acne is a skin condition that shows up as different types of bumps including pimples, blackheads, whiteheads and cysts. You are always thinking how those pimples have grown onto your face or how you got those zits on your back. The simplest scientific explanation which you could know is that your skin is covered with tiny holes known as hair follicles or pores.

These pores contain sebaceous glands also known as oil glands which make sebum and oil that moisten your skin and hair. Glands make the suitable amount of sebum and the pores are fine at most of the time. However sometimes a pore gets clogged up with too much dead skin cells, sebum and germs which called bacteria thus causing you to acne breakouts.

Doctors believe that acne results from several related factors however the exact cause is unknown. One important reason is the increasing hormones called androgen which is male sex hormones. The increasing in hormones androgen during puberty triggers the enlargement of sebaceous glands thus making more sebum. This hormonal change related to pregnancy or starting or stopping birth control pills can trigger acne.

Hereditary or genetics is another factor which may be related to acne. Others believe that the tendency to acne outbreaks is inherited from their parents. Certain drugs such as androgens and lithium are known to cause acne. Likewise greasy cosmetics may modify the cells of the follicles and make them stick together thus producing a plug.

Moreover there are many myths about the causes of acne. People often blame chocolates and greasy foods however foods seem to have little effect on the development and cause 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.

Obviously there are several factors which can make the acne worse. The varying hormone levels in the adolescent girls and adult women 2 to 7 days before their menstrual period begins affect the worsening of the acne. Picking or squeezing at blemishes, environmental irritants and hard scrubbing of the skin are other factors which could worsen acne conditions.

Beside from the dermatologist who specializes on skin troubles, there are doctors who treat all kinds of acne especially those of severe cases. Family practitioners, pediatricians or internists may cure individuals with milder acne cases. It is always the target of the acne treatment to heal existing lesions, end new lesions formation, avoid scarring as well as minimize the psychological stress and embarrassment which caused by the disease.

The drug treatment is to dimish several problems playing a part in causing acne like abnormal clumping of cells in the follicles, oil production, increased bacteria and inflammation. The doctor may suggest one of several over-the-counter acne medicines or prescription medicines either topical which applied to the skin or oral medication depending on the extent of the person's acne.

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