Acne -- Prevention And Treatment

Acne is the most common skin related ailment in the United States, and although it is non-lethal it can have very detrimental psychological effects due to its highly visible nature and the scarring it can cause on the skin. Acne can effect all age groups but it is most prominent in the 12-24 age group.

Acne is most common among teenagers. It is caused when excess oil on the skin (which is ordinarily absorbed or let out of the pores) clogs the pores causing sores which are often called pimples, zits or spots. Teenagers often suffer from hormonal imbalance in the oil producing glands during puberty, this can cause too much oil to be produced leading to acne.

Acne typically occurs on the face, neck, and upper body. It is most commonly found on the face, this is particularly bad since it is the most visible place the acne can occur. Facial acne can cause great embarassment to its sufferers.

It is not understood why some people never develop acne whereas some people suffer chronically from it. As already mentioned hormones have a great role to play in acne formation, in particular the male sex hormone androgen. This hormone is produced in the bodies of boys and girls at puberty and can cause acne to develop. Changes in hormones caused by pregnancy or contraceptive pills can also induce acne.

Hormones are not the only factor present in acne formation. Surpisingly, while not really inheritable, acne can be traced along hereditary lines. So a family history of acne can raise the chance of young people in that family contracting it at some point in their puberty. One good measure you can take to prevent acne is to ensure you keep clean. Uncleanliness can be a factor in acne development (although by no means is it the only factor). Humidity and pollution can lead to acne also by blocking pores.

On the other hand, there are many popular myths and delusions about what causes acne. Acne does not occur as a result of stress, or of eating chocolate and greasy food.

Also, acne is not an infectious disease, i.e. it cannot be transmitted by touch or through a sexual intercourse (like Chlamydia ~ which is also a skin disease but is transmitted sexually).

Acne prevention, if possible at all, is very difficult. What can be done is to take the necessary measures not to make it worse. In most cases, a visit to the dermatologist is mandatory in order to prescribe treatment but still there are remedies that do not involve drugs.

The most important rule is to keep one~s skin clean and not to squeeze the pimples. Squeezing the pimples temporarily removes your enemy from your face but it does not remove the cause for the disease and what is worse ~ if the pimples get infected, more treatment will be needed.

As already mentioned, hygiene is very important for keeping acne under control. When skin is dirty, this places an additional burden on the pores, thus making oil secretion even more difficult. Therefore, it is recommended always to use clean towels (preferably paper ones, since they cannot have been used by somebody else before you) to wipe one~s face. Also, often change your pillowcase, because it is another item that frequently comes into contact with the face.

Using specially designed cleaning lotions can help to remove oil, sweat and acne-producing bacteria from the face, just take care not to scrub your face too hard as this can irritate any pimples on your face and make the acne worse.

David Perzman is the owner of ACNE Life -- lots of information and resources on Acne containing articles and a free newsletter. For all the information you want, go to: http://www.acnelife.com

In The News:


pen paper and inkwell


cat break through


Oily Skin Care Can Treat Acne-prone, Shiny, Oily Skin

Oily skin is not only shiny, dull-colored, and coarse, it... Read More

Acne Program- Step 3: Relieve Your Constipation with a Three Day Mini-Juice Fast

Getting your bowels moving and cleaning out your colon is... Read More

Acne Solutions ? Do You Need One?

Acne solutions occupy the minds of our teenagers. With acne... Read More

Adult Acne Treatment ? To Treat a Condition That No-one Talks About

Acne is the most common skin complaint in the world.... Read More

Why Drinking Enough Water Can Help Keep Acne Away

You probably don't know this yet but product wastes and... Read More

Water and Sunlight Helps to Clear Acne

Drink More WaterThe skin stores around 12% water. It is... Read More

Natural Acne Treatments ? Helpful Remedies in Your Kitchen

These days we are exposed to so many harsh chemicals,... Read More

A Look at Laser Acne Treatment

Laser acne treatment has been around for a few years... Read More

Your Guide To Acne Skin Care

Contrary to popular belief, acne is not caused by dirty... Read More

Essential Fatty Acids for Eczema and Other Skin Disorders

Many people suffer from eczema and various skin disorders that... Read More

Calming Teenage Acne: How to Smooth Troubled Skin with a Holistic Approach... 7 Key Steps

To calm teenage acne the skin must be balanced both... Read More

Acne Scar Treatment and Removal

Beautiful skin, without acne scars, is every woman's dream (and... Read More

An Acne Fetish is No Laughing Matter

While it may be easy to scoff off an acne... Read More

Treating Adult Onset Acne With Anti-aging Moisturizers

The development of anti-aging alpha hydroxy acid moisturizers is promising... Read More

Back Acne Havoc

If you are between 10 to 40 you have great... Read More

Finding Acne Skin Care Products That Work For You

Each one of us is different, and nowhere is this... Read More

Cystic Acne and Some Natural Treatments

More severe cases of acne tend to be characterized not... Read More

Keep Your Skin Clean and Acne Free by Brushing

The skin is the largest of the elimination channels. Through... Read More

Shaving and the Adolescent Male

The most obvious way around it is to use a... Read More

How Mental Attitude and Digestion Affect Acne

Mental attitudeAcne is an expression of toxins in the body... Read More

Why You Will Never Achieve Long-Lasting Acne Free Skin With The ?External? Acne Treatments Today

Most of the acne treatments out there just don't have... Read More

Hormones and Adult Acne

Are you experiencing problems with hormones and adult acne? Hormones... Read More

Beware of Acne Cyst! Take the Precautions Necessary

People are exposed in many elements outside and inside their... Read More

How the Liver Prevents Acne

The liver is responsible for detoxifying the blood as it... Read More

Acne -- Prevention And Treatment

Acne is the most common skin related ailment in the... Read More

Dermatologist: The Most Qualified Physician for Skin Problems.

The skin is the largest and most visible organ of... Read More

The First Step To Curing Acne

The first step to curing acne is knowing what type... Read More

Acne Treatment: 7 Things You Must Know!

Let me ask you this...Are you suffering from acne?Do you... Read More

Natural and Dietary Therapies for Acne

The typical modern medicine answer to outbreaks of acne include... Read More

Herbal Acne Remedies

Remember the angst ridden acne years of your youth? Or... Read More

Colon Cleaning May Help Acne Sufferers

Many doctors and alternative medicine practitioners believe that one essential... Read More

Herbal Therapy for Acne Treatment

Because prevention is the best way to protect your skin... Read More

Acne and Adolescents

It's hard enough to be a teenager but if your... Read More