Acne
statistics for the age - According to general statistics, acne usually
starts around puberty and lasts until adulthood, although it can persist
for many more years, regardless of age. Similarly, baby acne affects
approximately 20% of newborn babies. About 25% of teens will still have
acne at age 25. More than 80% of acne sufferers are between the ages of
12 and 24. Acne affects about 90% of adolescents and 20-30% of adults
aged 20 to 40 years.
Acne statistics for the gender - Probably
because of their frequent hormonal variations and moods swings, women
make up 75% of adult cases of acne. Often acne is worst during
adolescence and begins to subside during your twenties. But for some
people, acne remains throughout adulthood although often in milder form.
Acne
statistics for the sites - Acne affects the face in 99% of cases.
Other, less affected sites are back, neck, buttocks and even arms. Last
but not least, considering that 80% of the population between the age of
12 and 24 years old will be afflicted by acne to one degree or another,
acne is a very serious and widespread concern. For many people, acne
problems can continue all throughout their life well into adulthood,
even though they were told as teens that they would "outgrow" it.
What
is Acne? - Acne is an extremely common and distressing condition that
affects the skin's oil glands. The small holes in your skin (pores)
connect to oil glands under the skin. These glands make an oily
substance called sebum. The pores connect to the glands by a canal
called a follicle. Inside the follicles, oil carries dead skin cells to
the surface of the skin. A thin hair also grows through the follicle and
out to the skin. When the follicle of a skin gland clogs up, this is
when a pimple develops. Most pimples are found typically on the face,
neck, back, chest and shoulders but they can appear literally anywhere.
Acne can cause unsightly and in rare cases permanent scarring but it is
not life threatening. Acne develops when the hair, sebum and skin cells
clump together to form a plug. A bacterium grows in the plug that causes
swelling. Then when the plug starts to break down, a pimple grows. Acne
is the most common skin disease. Men and women of any age and race can
get acne although it is generally believed to be a teenage ailment as it
is most common in teenagers and adults. It is estimated that as much as
80% of the population aged between the age of 11 and 30 will experience
some form of acne. Even those in the older generation, as old as in
their fifties (though less common) can suffer from acne. The sole cause
of acne in the first places not established, though people have many
theories. To clear up one misconception, diet definitely does not cause
acne, although many people believe this to be true. Whether you eat a
lot of fatty foods or a lot of chocolate and crisps plays no part in
acne although it is true that eating well can only benefit your
complexion, acne (in the first instance) is not caused by what you eat.
Doctors
and dermatologists believe it could be down to the increase of hormones
in puberty which can cause the oil glands to clog and plug up. Older
women can have acne due to the hormonal changes when pregnant and those
who take the oral contraceptive pill can also suffer acne as a side
effect. If any of your immediate family members suffered from acne as
well, there is a very good chance you will too as it is hereditary. Some
medications, particularly some antibiotics can cause spots and using
particularly greasy oil-based cosmetics.
Acne can be treated by OTC
(Over the counter) topical face washes or creams or in severe cases, a
course of antibiotics and/or steroids over a certain period is
prescribed depending on the kind of acne you have and the severity. The
quicker the acne is treated the lesser the incidence of scarring. Your
doctor will be able to advise or refer you to a dermatologist (a skin
specialist) who can work with you so you get the best possible
treatment. Understanding different stages of acne An easy grading of
acne - Based on the degree or the severity of the signs and symptoms
produced in acne, the disorder can be categorized into three prominent
or main stages or grades as follows:
Mild acne ("whiteheads" and
"blackheads") Mils acne, also known as non-inflammatory acne, is caused
by a plug of dead skin cells and oil in the canal that contains the
hair, under the surface of the skin. Because the plugs are underneath
the skin surface, scrubbing will not get rid of them. In fact, rubbing
the skin or using harsh or abrasive soaps can irritate the skin and make
the acne worse. Mild acne does not usually leave permanent marks on the
skin. Moderate to moderately severe acne - This type of acne, also
known as inflammatory acne, consists of several whiteheads, blackheads,
papules and pustules that cover from top of the face and/or other parts
of the body. It can be treated with antibiotic lotions or gels, as well
as retinoic acid. Retinoic acid is an altered form of vitamin A. It
helps prevent whiteheads and black heads. Your doctor may also prescribe
an antibiotic pill, such as erythromycin. If you take birth control
pills to prevent pregnancy, antibiotics can affect how well they work.
Be sure to use a second method of birth control with the pill, such as a
condom. Retinoic acid
and antibiotic pills can make the skin sensitive to the sun. So, wear sunscreen and stay in the shade while
using them.
Severe
acne Severe acne is rare and consists of a mixture of both inflammatory
and non-inflammatory acne has all types of lesions including severe
inflammatory lesions (markedly reddened pustules) and possibly cystic
lesions (lesions over 0.5 cm in diameter with a soft top that are losing
their inflammation). It is most common to have a mixture of lesions at
any one time. You should see a dermatologist to care for this type of
acne. Scarring can be prevented with appropriate treatments. Topical
treatment alone will not be effective at treating severe inflammatory
acne because it cannot penetrate deep enough through the skin's surface
to treat the severely inflamed nodules and cysts. "You're About To Learn
How To Look Better,Feel Better,and have A Renewed Sense of Self-Esteem -
By Clearing Your Acne Permanently In As Little As 3 Days.Severe acne
requires systemic treatment (medicine taken orally). Systemic therapies
cause distribution of the drug throughout the entire organism. Your
dermatologist can prescribe oral antibiotics and oral contraceptives.
Large inflamed cysts can be treated with an injection of a drug that
lessens the redness, swelling, and irritation, and promotes healing.
Acne
& Female connection! Why pimples love women when they don't love to
have them? Did you know that most young women and men will have at
least a few pimples over the course of their lives? However,
interestingly enough, acne seems to affect men and women in different
ways. Young men are more likely to have a more serious form of acne.
Acne in young women tends to be more random and linked to hormone
changes, such as the menstrual cycle. As women get older, acne often
gets better. But some women have acne for many years. Some women even
get acne for the first time at age 30 or 40. For many women, acne can be
an upsetting illness. Women may have feelings of depression, poor body
image, or low self-esteem.
But you don't have to wait to outgrow acne or
to let it run its course. Today, almost every case of acne can be
resolved. Acne also can, sometimes, be prevented. Talk with your doctor
or dermatologist (a doctor who specializes in skin diseases).
Factors that trigger acne in women - Several factors, alone or combined, can trigger acne attacks in women such as:
Hormonal
changes (puberty): - Remember, during puberty, girls have an increase
in male sex hormones called androgens. This increase causes the skin
glands to get larger and make more sebum (oily secretion of your skin).
Menstrual cycle: - The menstrual cycle is one of the most common acne
triggers. Acne lesions tend to form a few days before the cycle begins
and go away after the cycle is completed. Other hormone changes, such as
pregnancy and menopause, improve acne in some women. But some women
have worse acne during these times.
Medications: - Certain
medicines, such as those used to treat epilepsy and types of depression
can aggravate acne in women. Stopping use of birth control pills can
play a role as well.
Make-up: - While not a real "cause" of the
acne itself, wearing oil-based make up on frequent basis can trigger
acne flare ups in women.
Skin pressure or friction: Friction caused by bike helmets or backpacks can make acne worse.
Family
history: - Those women who have / had other people in their families
with a history of acne, there is a greater chance they will have it too.
Does
poor hygiene of women cause acne? It is a myth that women get acne
because they do not wash enough. In fact, quite the opposite is true.
Too much washing or scrubbing the skin harshly can make acne worse. And
washing away surface oils does not do much to prevent or cure acne,
because it forms under the skin. The best way to clean the face is to
gently wash it, just twice a day with a mild soap or cleanser. Be
careful to remove make-up without harsh scrubbing.
Can eating chocolate or greasy foods cause acne in women?
While
many women feel that eating chocolate or greasy foods can cause acne,
experts have not found a link between the diet and acne.
Simple
hints & tips to prevent & treat acne and acne scars Take care:
You can help prevent acne flare-ups and scars by taking good care of
your skin.
Clean gently: Clean your skin gently with a mild soap
or cleanser twice a day once in the morning and once at night. You
should also gently clean the skin after heavy exercise.
Avoid
friction: - Avoid strong soaps and rough scrub pads Wash thoroughly but
not frequently: - Wash your entire face from under the jaw to the
hairline and rinse thoroughly.
Make up removal: - Remove make-up
gently with a mild soap and water. - Top 5 myths on what causes acne -
Fact versus fiction... When it comes to explaining acne to adolescents
and some adults, it is necessary to separate fact from fiction, because
having acne can tax a person's nerves and send him off to an emotional
roller-coaster. The teenage years are a great time to meet new friends
and start dating and be accepted by one's peers; being misinformed about
acne is due to certain myths. Following are some of the most common
myths associated with the "causes of acne" today:
First myth:
Eating too much chocolate will cause acne Reality: Chocolate does not
cause acne or make it worse. Even the most renowned doctors will insist,
and can prove, that there is no direct link between chocolate and acne.
However, even if there is no direct link between the two, you must
still adhere to a healthy lifestyle that decreases the amount of sweets,
salts and fat from your diet. Ensure you consume foods that are rich in
nutrients, especially vitamin A.
Second myth: Dirt will cause
acne Reality: - This is a myth that is widely held but while it is
certainly important to keep the skin always clean because oil and dirt
can block pores, dirt does NOT bring about the clumping together of skin
cells against the follicle wall. This phenomenon occurs very deep in
the skin where cleaning won't reach it.
Third myth: Acne has
something to do with sex Reality: - Some adolescents actually believe
that once they're married or give birth to their first child, their acne
will disappear. A variation of this myth is the other side of the
argument: that an active sex life causes acne. This link was made only
because adolescence is that period in a person's life when sex is of
great concern. This particular myth became less popular in the 1940's
when the medical community finally declared that sexual activity and
acne are not related.
Fourth myth: Hot climate causes acne
Reality: - Some people think that people who live in cold climates are
less likely to get acne, while those who live in the tropics are more
prone to it. There is no link between where one lives and the incidence
of acne. Nor is the color of one's skin a precursor of acne, although it
has been observed that dark-skinned people tend to have less severe
acne compared to light-skinned individuals. Larger glands and more
defined pores are common characteristics of dark skin, and these two
attributes are known to protect against acne. Note though that
hyper-pigmentation tends to occur more frequently with dark skin after
acne is cured, so care must be taken to not irritate dark skin after a
bout with acne.
Fifth myth: First time shavers will get acne
Reality: When a boy reaches the age of puberty, one of the first signs
is hair on the face, especially above the lip and on the chin. The hairs
are at first sparse but over time, a beard and a moustache appear,
making boys want to shave them. After the initial shave, the hair grows
back, this time thicker. As the hair grows back after each shave, it
grows thicker and is denser resulting in repetitive shaving. Frequent
shaving can cause the skin to dry out, because as more hair grows, the
shaving becomes more frequent and more forceful. Some of these hairs
could turn inward and grow internally which can cause acne. The inside
growth, combined with the production of oil in the sebaceous glands can
result in frequent skin breakouts. The myth that shaving causes acne is
indeed a myth, but it is true that shaving too often and too close to
the hair follicles may contribute to the growth of acne.
Unveiling
top 5 acne myths Differentiating between fact & fiction... - Like
many other common disorders and diseases, there have been several myths
and unrealistic assumptions associated with acne. The main cause of the
formation and spread of these myths is lack of proper understanding of
the disorder, little or no knowledge about the development of disease
and unnecessary delay in diagnosis and treatment of acne. The following
article attempts to explain some of the common acne-related myths and
also throws light on the actual reality behind each of these myths.
Myth
1: Acne is caused by poor hygiene or washing Fact: Acne is not caused
by poor hygiene, sweating, or not washing. These factors do not cause
the clogged pores that contribute to acne development. While medicated
washes containing benzoyl peroxide, resorcinol, salicylic acid, and
sulfur are one form of treatment for acne, simple soap and water does
not treat the condition.
Myth 2: Acne is caused by diet Fact: -
Acne is not caused by diet. No scientific connection has been found
between diet and acne. No food, not chocolate, fries, pizza, or any
other food, has been shown to actually "cause" acne. However, diet can
play an important role in lessening or aggravating the intensity of the
disease.
Myth 3: There is no treatment or cure for acne Fact: -
Acne does not need to be allowed to run its course. The condition can be
treated as there are prescription medications and over-the-counter
(OTC) products (although medicines are never free of side effects) for
it. There have been also some natural or herbal treatments for acne that
have, to date, no reported side effect.
Myth 4: I can prevent
acne from washing my face more often Fact: No. You cannot prevent acne
from washing my face more often. Dirt does not cause acne. It is the
overproduction of oil (sebum) from within the skin rather than the
surface oil/dirt that leads to acne.
Myth 5: Squeezing a pimple
may help me get rid of those notorious pimples Fact: Absolutely not. In
fact, quite the opposite is true. Squeezing a pimple may cause the
contents of the follicle to rupture into the tissue rather than being
expressed to the surface of the skin. This can cause tissue damage and
scarring. Sometimes a medical provider will open a pimple or cyst with a
special instrument designed not to damage the tissue, but you should
avoid squeezing or picking pimples.
Rediscovering Vitamin E... An
efficient & essential ingredient of Clear Skin Max An introduction
to Tocopherol acetate (Vitamin E) Tocopherol is the scientific name for
vitamin E. Tocopherol acetate is a lipid-soluble version of vitamin E.
Natural vitamin E is used as a powerful antioxidant and free radical
scavenger. One of nature's most dynamic moisturizers, it also aids
cellular renewal of the skin. Therefore, to date, vitamin E has been
tried for the treatment of almost every type of skin lesion (problem)
imaginable. For the same reason, many doctors and dermatologists lay
people use vitamin E on a regular basis to improve the outcome of scars
and several physicians recommend topical (locally applied) vitamin E
after skin surgery or resurfacing.
What is vitamin E? - Vitamin E
is considered as one of the most important oil-soluble anti-oxidant and
free radical scavenger. It is also a photo-protector, protecting
cellular membrane from free-radical damage.
Some basic skin-related functions of vitamin E-
Vitamin
E is one of the best known antioxidants found in the human body. It
means that its key biological function is to protect lipids from
oxidation and free radical damage. Therefore, it basically serves a
preservative function due to its ability to protect against oxidation.
Vitamin E counts among the vitamins that protect the skin and the mucous membranes.
It improves trans-epidermal water loss, thereby improving the appearance of rough, dry and damaged skin.
It also helps to maintain connective tissue.
Vitamin E seals the connective tissue and the vascular walls, makes wounds heal quickly and keeps the skin elastic and smooth.
Vitamin E also prevents aging of the skin.
It
prevents irritation due to sun exposure. If applied before sun
exposure, it acts protective against epidermal cell damage caused by
inflammation.
It also counteracts increased functioning of the
sebaceous glands (as is the case in acne) and reduces excessive skin
pigmentation.
What Causes Pimples? There are many factors that
cause pimples/acne and it varies in its severity. Stress can cause flare
ups in some, side effects of certain medications, even allergies. A
bout of acne can be short lived or it can persist for several months or
several years. Some people will only get very mild pimples, others will
get very severe acne although this is thought to run in the family, so
if acne or pimples have occurred in your family It is likely you will
suffer from a few in your lifetime. Many things can irritate or make
acne flare up but pimples are caused from when the hair follicles in
your pores in your skin get blocked and the sebaceous gland produces an
excessive amount of oil. Although no one is totally sure why acne
occurs, it is believed it can be a result of the following: -
Bacteria accumulating in the sebaceous glands
A collection of dead skin cells
Overactive sebaceous glands producing too much oil due to hormone fluctuations
Using oily make up, such as greasy foundations and overly thick moisturisers
The
sebaceous gland gets clogged when the oil (otherwise known as sebum)
cannot leave the open pore so turns into an obstruction. The skin around
the pore can swell and a white plug formed of dead cells of oil can
form, this is what is what is known as a whitehead. If the plug does not
fully close the pore you get a black appearance which is called a
blackhead. Pimples can become infected when the whiteheads rupture
underneath the skin's top layer. This allows the dead cells, bacteria
and oil to seep into the surrounding tissue. If this outbreak is very
widespread and severe, you could develop an infection called cystic acne
which is very large, unsightly and painful red bumps Even if the boils
disappear you could be left with permanent scarring. Prompt treatment of
this is essential to minimise the possibility of permanent scarring so
visit your doctor as soon as possible. It is important to remember that
anyone can suffer from spots at any time even after treatment but will
be a lot less severe.
Your skin at glance What, where & why?
Introduction - Your skin is the largest and one of the most important
organs of your body which performs some essential functions such as
protection, hydration, sensation and temperature regulation. The
internal structure of your skin, however, is even more interesting.
Let's discover some of the main structural features of your own skin:
Layers
of skin - Your skin is composed of two main layers, the epidermis and
dermis, that both rest on the
subcutaneous (underlying) tissues.
Epidermis:
- It is the outer (or uppermost) layer of the skin and is made up of
outer dead skin cells and deeper living cells. The melanocyte (special
cells) within the epidermis produces melanin giving color to the skin
and helps protect it from ultraviolet light Dermis: - The dermis is
found beneath the epidermis and makes up bulk (90 percent) of your skin.
Subcutaneous layer: - The epidermis and dermis sit on the subcutaneous
(subcutaneous = beneath the skin) layers, composed largely of fat,
through which the blood vessels and nerves run. The roots of the oil and
sweat glands are located here. Glands of skin - There are two main
types of glands in your skin: Sebaceous oil glands: - These are
distributed throughout the skin but are mostly concentrated in the
scalp, face, mid-chest, and genitals. They are attached to the hair
follicles and secrete an oily substance (sebum) that lubricates and
protects the skin. Sweat glands: - These glands are distributed
throughout the body but their greatest number is found in the palms,
soles of the feet, forehead, and underarms. They secrete at times of
stress, emotion, or in the presence of a warmer environment.
Special
structures of skin Hair: - Each hair grows from a single follicle that
has its roots in the subcutaneous tissue] of the skin. The oil glands
next to hair follicles provide gloss and, to some degree, waterproofing
of the hair. Hair also contains melanin. The number of melanin granules
in the hair determines its color. Malnutrition can cause damage to the
hair.
Fingernails and toenails: - These are part of the epidermis
and are composed of the protein, keratin. Each nail grows outward from a
nail root that extends back into the groove of the skin. With
malnutrition, after an injury, or chemotherapy, the nail formation is
impaired.
Types of skin - Depending on your family (heredity),
your genetic make-up and your lifestyle, you skin can be of one of the
following types:
Oily skin: - Oily skin is caused by over activity
of the sebaceous glands. Oily skin is thick with large pores and has a
greater tendency to develop acne, but not wrinkles. Most people, who
have oily skin, also have oily hair.
Dry skin: - Dry skin is
caused by under activity of the sebaceous glands, environmental
conditions, or normal aging. Dry skin is usually thinner and more easily
irritated. There is a greater tendency to develop wrinkles, but not
acne.
Balanced Skin: - Balanced skin is neither oily nor dry. It
is smooth and has fine texture with few problems. However, it has a
tendency to become dry as a result of environmental factors and aging
Combination
Skin: - Combination skin consists of oily regions, often on the
forehead and around the nose, and regions that are balanced or dry.
The
best criteria to choose Acne skin products Top 5 hints and tips... When
it comes to an effective treatment for your acne, you want a product
that will really work and that doesn't cost an arm and a leg.
However,
because of the intense market clutter, finding the anti acne skin care
product may seem like an impossible task. The following hints and tips
would serve as your easy, at-a-glance guide to help you make your mind
while choosing among different skin care products that are used to treat
acne.
Is it recommended? - The FDA's new good manufacturing
practices ruling, for example, attempts to ensure that the natural or
herbal supplements: -
Are produced in a quality manner and meet all the recommended safety standards
Are free of all the contaminants or impurities
Are accurately labeled as per the recommended guidelines
Therefore, you should choose an acne-care supplement according to the same FDA-recommended guidelines.
Is
it clinically backed? Remember, this is an era of evidence-based
medicine and you are supposed to consider evidences, pure facts and real
testimonials, not claims. Accordingly, go for a complete,
multi-component anti acne supplement that contains ingredients which are
clinically backed by a number of trials and studies and have been
recommended by full-fledged health experts and physicians for a
non-prescription use.
Is it fully compliant? Compliance of a
medicine or some specific product can be defined as its suitability to
most of the people taking it without causing any significant undesirable
side effects. The most effective skin care system for people with acne
should, therefore, be considered as highly suitable and compliant for
people of almost age groups and genders. In other words, it should be
capable of giving best and fast results in young adults, middle aged and
elderly men and women equally.
Is it safe? It is quite logical
and understandable that ideally, an anti-acne supplement or program
should be free of the typical "allopathic" medications' side effects.
You should, therefore, do your research when planning to take any kind
of such skin care supplements or systems. A simple of way of doing this
is read the authentic testimonials, and see if the product has been
approved by some major international and credible authority on health.
Similarly, user compliance and tolerance is another important issue to
be considered while choosing skin care program or multi-component system
to cure acne.
Is it affordable & economical? Any skin care
system or product for people with acne cannot be considered as a top one
until and unless it takes good care of your pocket because of its
accessibility and affordability. Accordingly, you should choose a
product that offers the best value for money i.e. gives you more for
less.
Conclusion - While you can find many brands of both natural
or herbal and over the counter anti acne skin care creams, lotions,
supplements and oils, there are hardly few which even work and come any
close to whatever they promise. Most importantly, even the most
frequently bought and used products have their own share of undesirable
effects and unwanted interactions within the body. The key here is,
therefore, to select the safest and yet more effective natural skin care
system that will comprise of multiple components and will, therefore,
address the acne problem on multiple levels.
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