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Acne is a dermatological disorder that affects people of different age groups especially millennials. It is caused by excessive oil build up by the sebaceous gland on the skin. It is often present in the back, neck, chest, face, and shoulders. The good thing about this condition is that it is mostly not dangerous except in complicated scenarios like cavernous thrombosis. However, it could leave a scar on the skin which is terrible for cosmetic purposes. It is most common in people who are 11-30 years old, but can also occur in older adults.
What causes your face to break out?
Acne as is considered a normal phase of pubertal growth, and over 50 million Americans develop acne before the age of 30. Some common causes of acne include:
- Menstrual cycle
- Anxiety
- Stress
- Oily makeup or cosmetological products
- Extreme Weather Conditions
- Pressing or squeezing the pimples
- Hormonal Changes
- Lithium and Androgen containing drugs
- Excessive refined sugar or skimmed milk
Home Remedies for Treating Acne
Acne can be treated with various medications and facial cleanser, however, since acne is a famous dermatological condition, Scientists have discovered numerous home remedies for treating acne such as:
- Diet: There has been a lot of research on the benefits of a healthful diet in eliminating acne. Foods that are rich in vitamin A, E, and zinc can help in preventing and treating acne. However, foods with high glycemic index worsen the prognosis of acne.
- Tree Oil: tree oil has been discovered to help in the treatment of acne.
- Tea: The polyphenol extracted from tea can be used as a topical treatment for acne.
- Moisturizers: Aloe Vera contains moisturizers assists in treating acne and reduces inflammation through its anti-inflammatory property.
What causes acne?
A build-up contaminated plug in the hair follicle is the leading cause of acne. The human skin contains a superficial pore for the release of dangerous and harmful substances from the body. There is the presence of numerous sebaceous oil glands under the skin that are connected to the superficial pores through the hair follicles. In acne, the hair follicles become blocked with contaminated plugs and lead to external dermatological swelling called acne. There are two major contributing factors to the development of acne in both teenagers and adult: Genetics and hormonal fluctuation.
It has been proven by research that, most people with a family history of acne and other dermatological conditions are at higher risk of developing the disease. During puberty, there is fluctuation in hormones, especially the androgenic hormones, which leads to the formation of acne. This is why most acne disappears after puberty. However, some adults develop acne for the first time due to pregnancy, stress, menstruation, medication, and birth control pills.
Is adult acne different from teenage acne?
Teenagers face a lot of challenges due to hormonal changes and fluctuations. Acne is one of the most challenging problems faced by teens. It is often worsened with the natural oily face of most teens. However, acne can occur at any age – even after puberty. The significant difference between a teenager and adult acne is the etiology and dermatological distribution of the acne. Acne in teenagers is caused by excessive oil and sebum build up in the skin. On the other hand, adult acne is often due to chronic stress, medications, and hormonal fluctuations.
Teenage acne is often present in the T-zone of the face (forehead, nose, and chin), sometimes back and chest while adult acne is usually present around the mouth and jawline.
How is acne treated?
The primary goal of acne treatment is spot removal of the acne; it is often done by following daily healthy cleaning habits and combining with facial cleansers. Most people use the combination approach by combining various products based on their skin sensitivity to treat their acne. However, there are some general tips you must know about acne treatment such as:
· Washing your face daily especially after sweating or strenuous activities
· Focus on spot treatment and keeping your skin healthy
· Resist the temptation of pressing or pricking your pimple because your hands are nails are harbors for bacteria.
· Choose products containing non-drying agents like salicylic acid and glycolic acid.
· Shampoo your hair frequently especially if you have very oily hair.
· Avoiding Skimmed milk
· Hormonal Therapy
· Applying non-comedogenic moisturizers
However, there are many factors to be considered when selecting treatment choice for acne such as age, skin sensitivity, irritation, and response to medications. Adults have more sensitive skin and are more prone to skin dryness; it is advisable to avoid products that can cause excessive dryness of the skin. Consult your dermatologist before selecting a product.
What should you look for in a cleanser?
The best cleanser for each person varies depending on skin sensitivity and age. However, there are some major vital ingredients that are needed for every effective acne facial cleanser. These ingredients are salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and benzoyl peroxide. In some specific people infected with pityrosporum folliculitis ( yeast acne), it is advisable to replace one of these 3 active ingredients with pyrithione zinc. The 3 different active ingredients perform a different function in the treatment of acne. Salicylic acid helps in unblocking the clogs and clearing blackheads; Benzoyl peroxide is used as an etiological treatment for acne while pyrithione zinc is used for treating yeast acne. There are some other vital ingredients that make up am effective facial cleansers such as an emollient, surfactant, exfoliants, and humectants.
How can you modify your diet to improve acne?
The best diet modification for treating or improving acne is to avoid skimmed milk and high glycemic foods. It is advisable to eat foods rich in vitamin A and E.
When is it time to consider medication?
Acne is often treated with home remedies or different types of facial cleansers, but there is a limit for facial cleansers. When you need to start taking medications. The best time to consider medication is when you notice any of the following:
· Nothing is working
· You are too self-conscious
· Presence of severe acne
· Scaring of tissue
· Acne spreading to the chest and back
Acne is a prevalent dermatological condition that can affect any age group. It can be treated with facial cleanser, homemade remedies or medications.
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References
10 Home Remedies for Acne That Work – Dr. Axe. (2018). Retrieved from https://draxe.com/home-remedies-for-acne/
Gary W. Cole, F. (2018). 9 Causes of Acne, Treatment, Symptoms & Home Remedies for Pimples. Retrieved from https://www.medicinenet.com/acne/article.htm
Who Knew? Not All Acne is the Same, A., Breakouts, B., Lippe-McGraw, J., All, A., Bankson, C., & Out, H. et al. (2018). Acne.com – Healthy Skin Starts Here. Retrieved from https://www.acne.com/
