What is Acne and Can You Get Rid of Acne Forever?

by jessy

The question on everyone's mind is, what is acne and can you get rid of acne forever? Many of us have grown up with whatever answers our parents or friends gave us, and while they might have had good intentions, that doesn't always mean that we learned what was right. In order to be able to face acne, you need to know what you're up against.

Acne bar none is a real problem that affects millions of people both physically and emotionally. I personally suffered through acne and it was a real pain. I would've and did do anything to get rid of acne by trying any acne product I could get my hands on, did testing, went to doctors, and virtually tried whatever solution was out there.

Let's dive into some basics on what is acne and in future episodes you'll get more tips and techniques on how to get rid of acne.

There are several different types of acne that can occur: whiteheads, blackheads, papules, modules, pustules, and cysts. There are also a number of more severe kinds of acne that need medical intervention in order to clear up.

In a basic sense, acne is caused when the pores of the skin become clogged with dirt or oil. Some of that oil can be produced by the body naturally, so those people that produce more oil might be more susceptible to acne problems. When the pore becomes clogged, it becomes inflamed and turns into a rounded head that we know as acne.

While many types of acne are generally associated with teenagers, acne can be found at any age. When teenagers are developing, their emerging hormones can cause the skin to produce more oils, which can lead to a higher chance of getting other kinds of acne. But adults can also get acne after their teen years. However, the skin of adults is much more sensitive and might need different kinds of acne treatments.

And then there are also those people that are genetically disposed to acne, while others are not. Their skin might not be as sensitive to oils and dirt, which allows them to keep their skin clear and free of problems.

However, everyone at one point or another will have some problem with acne. The problem with acne is that these inflammations can lead to scarring if they are picked at and in some cases, the acne itself can cause scarring no matter what the patient does. Finding out what causes acne to occur will help to shed light on various ways to cure acne problems and result in behavior changes that can help to reduce the overall chances of acne in all people.

It's also important to understand there are many acne myths that should be dispelled. A couple include hygiene, diet, cleansing frequently, stress, age, and others. Most aren't exactly sure what factors cause acne or not. What is critical is understanding your skin and body and perhaps the things that could potentially make your breakouts worse or better.

All in all acne stinks. There are products out there that work. There are natural and prescription treatments that work. Everyone's situation is quite different and there are many factors when it comes to managing your skin. Therefore there is no one method that will work for all.

About the Author
The author has been providing highly beneficial Acne Home Treatment and understands what it take for effective Acne Treatment and hence has shared some of the vital experiences through the article.

Treating Teen Acne: What's Fact and What's Fiction

by Sarah Matthews

It's an all-too-frequent scenario that can fill even the sanest of teenagers with dread. You're about to go on a long-awaited big date, but an enormous pus-filled pimple suddenly sprouts on your chin - and two more on your forehead and left cheek. Or it's the eve of your senior prom, and from out of nowhere a huge, greasy pustule pops up smack dab in the middle of your nose. Aaagggh!

For many people, especially teenagers, oily skin and adolescence go hand in hand. Teenage acne in particular is incredibly common, yet suffers of this often unsightly condition say the problem is more than just skin-deep. Most teens in the throes of break-outs don't just worry about getting pus smeared all over their prom tux: they are affected emotionally and socially as well.

It is estimated that 85 percent of the human race is affected by acne during their teenage years. What differs, however, is the degree to which we are affected. Some people may have the occasional spot, while others may have such severe acne that they find themselves riddled with deep, pitted acne scars in adulthood.

Why the degree to which acne affects us fluctuates so wildly is a mystery. But one thing is certain: for the vast majority of people affected by acne, there are things they can do to minimize its effects, and in some cases, even make it go away completely. Hooray!

So Why Do We Get Acne, Anyway? Hundreds of myths surround acne, so let's start by putting a few to bed straightaway. You cannot get acne by eating greasy food, neglecting personal hygiene, or masturbating (if that was the case, virtually the entire human race would be covered in zits from head to toe). You can't even get it by having sex (with another person, that is). In fact, acne is caused primarily by several main culprits, which are: Blocked hair follicles. You usually get acne when the body produces too much sebum, or the oily secretion of the sebaceous glands, which seem to go into overdrive during adolescence. When the sebum plugs a hair follicle, the result is a pimple. Increase of growth of bacterium. Teens in particular will experience a growth in a bacteria called P. acnes due to the over-production of sebum again, which results in acne. Naughty, naughty sebum! Inflammation. Areas can become inflamed because of the increase in aforementioned bacteria, causing even more zits. Hormones. Hormonal fluctuations in both boys and girls during puberty can result in more sebum being produced, as scientists believe the hormone androgen is responsible for its production. Acne will also often get worse a few days - or a week - before a girl gets her period. Stress. A long debated issue, this one, but one that puts blame for eruptions of acne on stress, despite previous theories to the contrary. In fact, tests carried out on students going through stressful exams conclusively pointed out that they suffered more acne than those not going through such a trying time. Outside Influences. Occasionally there are things we do unwittingly that can make us more prone to acne. They include taking oral contraceptives which are high in androgens, and using specific oil-based cosmetics that lead to a build-up of sebum etc. Non-comedogenic cosmetics and beauty products are always the preferable choice.

Treatment Options Acne is not always easily cured - although the good news is that sometimes it is. Treatment options vary greatly, depending on the individual, the severity of the acne and its duration. Options include:

Over-the-counter remedies. Certain creams that contain a low dose of retinoid or just benzoyl peroxide can work wonders on mild to moderate acne. It's a case of trial and error, as what works well for your best friend Chris may not work for you...

Topical ointments, creams or antibacterial preparations. This is usually the first place to start if the acne is moderate to moderately severe, although it works best in acne that is relatively young.

Hormonal applications. Usually this means oral contraceptives for girls for moderate to moderately severe acne. If you go down this route, don't be complacent: keep in mind that only a condom can protect you from a sexually-transmitted infection.

Oral antibiotics. Usually used in tandem with a topical prescription with more severe acne. Remember though, that treatment can often result in your acne worsening before it shows any signs of improvement, so try not to get discouraged too quickly. And some harsh medications, such as those containing an oral retinoid, can cause serious birth defects, so talk out the implications in detail with your doctor beforehand.

Tips to Keep Acne at Bay Apart from visiting a dermatologist and starting a proper treatment program, there are other things you can do yourself to keep your face in good nick. The include: Avoiding the temptation to wash to extreme. We don't get acne because we're naturally dirty, and the notion that washing your face or back vigorously will help get rid of acne is a myth. In fact, too much washing will only make your acne worse. Practice a proper skin-care regime. While you shouldn't over-wash, that doesn't mean becoming negligent about your skin. A decent foaming cleanser that contains either benzoyl peroxide or sallicylic acid is recommended, although the latter can irritate some types of sensitive skin and cause excess flakiness. Special body washes are also available. Eating a balanced, healthy diet. While studies have not conclusively proven whether or not a bad diet can contribute to acne, it's a good idea to eat healthily anyway. At the least, a diet rich ion whole grains and fresh fruit and veg can help boost your immune system. And everyone knows that blowing a blocked nose 250 times a day can easily result in a lovely ring of pimples around the schnaz area... Drinking lots of water. Some people say this is a myth, others swear by it. One thing is clear: downing lots of H20 is good for you, so try it and see if your acne improves! Using non-comedogenic toiletries and cosmetics. Avoid anything that is oil-based and make sure you take all make-up off at night with special cleansers. Keeping stress to a minimum. Easier said than done, but stress does make acne worse. Stop that pickin' and scratchin'. However tempting it might be to try and pick your spots away, putting oily, often greasy hands all over your skin will only make things worse. So keep them in their pockets, where they belong!

Having acne shouldn't be a life sentence for a teenager, although sometimses it can feel like one. Scientists believe that genetics play a role in whether or not children get acne, so if you have a really pimply face, you can thank your Mom or Dad for that - and make them pay for all your acne potions and lotions while you're at it. In fact, you might even ask them to buy you a new car to make up for the emotional turmoil your acne has caused you...

If you have severe acne, take solace in the thought that laser therapy can help remove acne scars once you're out of puberty - although adult acne is not that uncommon either. Take comfort also that when you do go on a date it's because some gorgeous young thing is interested in the real you, and is mature enough to look past those nasty skin eruptions!

About the Author
Sarah Matthews is a writer for Yodle, a business directory and online advertising company. Find a dermatologist or more beauty articles at Yodle Consumer Guide. Treating Teen Acne: What's Fact and What's Fiction

Acne Treatment: Myths Regarding Acne And What Causes Acne?

Submitted By: Joey River

There are several misunderstandings regarding acne. This is the reason people end up taking wrong acne treatment for themselves. Therefore it is necessary that you know the causes of acne so that you can direct acne treatment into correct direction, instead of wasting time on seemingly less effective medications.

Acne treatment for adolescents and teenagers are different from adults. Since the hormonal activity in both the age groups is different. It is better that you take any oral medication as acne treatment only after you consult the dermatologist. Since, a well experienced dermatologist is required in order to prescribe exact medicine for your body type.

Acne treatment should be started early on the moment you know that you have acne. You can start acne treatment by using cleansers and exfoliation. Cleaners will do the work of removing all that oil which is logged on your pores and because of which these are blocked. Where exfoliation will help remove all that oil which could not be removed by cleansers, as well as will keep the skin pores clear for the skin to breathe.

Acne results into formation of blackheads, whiteheads and comedones. Acne is not formed due to dirt, as is the normal belief. It is caused due to over secretion of oil sebum by the sebaceous glands in the hair follicle. The purpose of sebum is to take dead cells and throw it out of the body.

The hormone androgen, one of the most important hormones for healthy functioning of our body causes acne. The hormone when comes into contact with the sebaceous gland produces sebum, but in case of people who get acne, the sebaceous glands are sensitive and produce more sebum, thus creating acne and related skin problems.

So acne treatment in early stages should revolve round keeping the skin cleansed and hydrated. Drinking lot of water is a must, since water cleans your body from the inside, and cleansing skin by mild cleansers and exfoliating it will do the trick.

For most of the people with mild acne this will do the trick. Also exercising will make you sweat and thus will also keep pores clean, these are some on the non-medicinal treatments. Acne treatment through medicinal cream, etc is possible too, you should use those creams which contain benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid in their composition. The function of these creams is to kill bacterial present in the infected areas.

Acne treatment should be only in places where your skin is affected, using creams and medicines in areas other than affected areas will only make the normal skin dryer.

There are different types of medicines available as acne treatment, including medicines prescribed in ayurveda, homeopathic and allopathic. You require investigating properly into each type if you are open to trying something really effective and long lasting.

Therefore, treat acne wisely and be patient, you will get to see the results soon enough. Acne treatment will be effective if you are regular in following instruction, if you are consulting a dermatologist, then it is all the more necessary that you follow instructions thoroughly for best results.

Published At: Isnare Free Articles Directory http://www.isnare.com
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=154504&ca=Medicines+and+Remedies

About Joey River
Find more information here about acne skin care and acne solution in Acnezine.

Adult Acne - Treatment For Mature Skin

by Gerrald Hendrix

Adult acne, affecting approximately 25% of men and 50% of women, 25-40 years old, is hardly rare. In fact dermatologists are reporting more cases at present than were seen in previous decades. Just as challenging to treat as at any age, and more apt to scar, "mature" conditions can be even more frustrating to cure. At the time of life when you thought you had outgrown skin problems, you're searching for successful treatment. Your hard work to live well, may be taking its toll on your lifestyle and wellness.

It's pretty much agreed by all that your outbreaks are the result of a chain reaction. The secretion of excess oil, along with dead skin cells, becomes trapped in your skin's pores. Bacteria breeds in this environment, infection follows and you note the symptoms of adult acne. Areas affected may be more widespread than most teenage cases. Adults will often note outbreaks on the neck, shoulders, back or chest in contrast to the facial conditions more common in teenagers.

The search for causes that trigger an outbreak is what keeps researchers busy. Causes not only vary, but vary in their reactions from person to person. Hormonal changes are thought to be a key factor, occurring in both males and females. Male hormones, or androgens, present also in females, trigger the oil producing process by the sebaceous glands. Thus the chain reaction begins.

Some causes may be:

• Environmental such as exposure to certain chemicals, oils, etc.
• Certain types of cosmetics
• Diet deficiencies
• Stress
• Anabolic steroids, bulking and weight gaining preparations
• Medications such as hormones, anticonvulsants, psychotropics, etc.
• Prescriptions containing iodine or lithium
• Anti-epileptic drugs
• Vitamin and mineral deficiencies
• Heredity/genetics

Adult acne treatment as you can see may be a process of elimination. Any one of the above and more can be the cause, or one part of the cause, of your condition. Often the "cause" is a combination of issues that make up your lifestyle, rather than any one contributor. The simple basics that you can do will still apply though. Gently wash the affected areas to rid your skin of excess oils using mild soaps or cleansers. Be careful not to irritate or over-dry.

A careful lifestyle review may be the first place to start. Take an honest look at how healthy you are living. A serious attempt at healing and prevention will require a serious examination. Modern life, with all its stress, is known to take a heavy toll on the mind and body. Stress not only affects hormones, it also suppresses the immune system in the epidermis of your skin. Stress may be inevitable but stress is also controllable. Seek out some stress reducing methods, exercises, or even a relaxing hobby.

The facts presented here are for informational purposes only, so consult with your doctor or dermatologist. You're not odd. With the increased awareness in more adults of health and wellness issues, comes an increased seeking of treatment. To delay is to risk an increase in severity and possible scarring. Mature skin by nature is more apt to scar.

In addition to the possible physical damage, there is also the emotional, such as loss of confidence and withdrawal. Adult acne is common, and it is treatable. You owe it to yourself for health of body and peace of mind to seek help and advice.

For more information concerning acne treatment and acne scars, medications, home remedies and natural cures, please visit: http://jersand-acnetreatment.com

About the Author
I live in Esparto, CA and I am married with one married son and one grandson. I research and write on a variety of topics including skin care, personal interests and hobbies. My hobbies are playing bluegrass music and blackpowder shooting