Acne skin care treatment

Acne can be both uncomfortable and embarrassing. When someone repeatedly receives acne breakouts, they often wonder what they can do to prevent them from happening again. Unfortunately, many times they are misinformed about acne skin care. In fact, many commonly accepted acne “facts” are nothing more than myths. It is wise to inform yourself before making decisions about acne skin care. The following are some acne skin care myths which any medical doctor will debunk:

Myth #1: Acne treatments are universal, and what works for one person will work for everyone.

The truth is, everyone’s natural chemistry and skin are unique. Furthermore, each person lives in a unique environment which will have specific effects on their skin and acne. The truth is, what works as an acne “fix” for one person may completely fail for someone else. Each person should get personalized advice from a dermatologist. Furthermore, they should be willing to keep trying different things until they find a regimen that works for them.

Myth #2: You don’t need a dermatologist’s help to beat acne.

Actually, the dermatologist is exactly who you need to beat acne! Some people believe that their own concocted remedies, or over-the-counter treatments are enough to clear up their skin. The fact is, you may need a personalized plan to actually clear up your acne, and only a doctor is qualified enough to recommend this safely. So do yourself a favor, and go see a doctor about it! You’ll be glad you did.

Myth #3: There is a quick fix for acne.

This is another myth which often proves to be completely false. For people with very severe acne, getting rid of it can be a long-fought “war”, not a quick battle. Even when medication is very effective, it can take up to 6 to 8 weeks to get initial results. To beat acne, it is necessary to be patient and “stick with it”, even when treatment doesn’t seem to be helping.

Of course, those are just a few of the facts (and uncovered myths) about acne skin care. To get the full story, it is advised that you see a dermatologist and get more personalized recommendations. And of course, once you are prescribed a specific acne regimen, remember to stick with it! Anything worthwhile takes time.

Ruth Stattmiller

Acne information and scar treatment.

What Is Acne?
Acne is a disorder resulting from the action of hormones on the skin’s oil glands (sebaceous glands), which leads to plugged pores and outbreaks of lesions commonly called pimples or zits. Acne lesions usually occur on the face, neck, back, chest, and shoulders. Nearly 17 million people in the United States have acne, making it the most common skin disease. Although acne is not a serious health threat, severe acne can lead to disfiguring, permanent scarring, which can be upsetting to people who are affected by the disorder.
Who Gets Acne?

People of all races and ages get acne. It is most common in adolescents and young adults. Nearly 85 percent of people between the ages of 12 and 24 develop the disorder. For most people, acne tends to go away by the time they reach their thirties; however, some people in their forties and fifties continue to have this skin problem.

How Does Acne Develop?

Doctors describe acne as a disease of the pilosebaceous units (PSUs). Found over most of the body, PSUs consist of a sebaceous gland connected to a canal, called a follicle, that contains a fine hair (see “Normal Pilosebaceous Unit” diagram, below). These units are most numerous on the face, upper back, and chest. The sebaceous glands make an oily substance called sebum that normally empties onto the skin surface through the opening of the follicle, commonly called a pore. Cells called keratinocytes line the follicle.

How Is Acne Treated?

Acne is often treated by dermatologists (doctors who specialize in skin problems). These doctors treat all kinds of acne, particularly severe cases. Doctors who are general or family practitioners, pediatricians, or internists may treat patients with milder cases of acne.

Normal Pilosebaceous Unit

The hair, sebum, and keratinocytes that fill the narrow follicle may produce a plug, which is an early sign of acne. The plug prevents sebum from reaching the surface of the skin through a pore. The mixture of oil and cells allows bacteria Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) that normally live on the skin to grow in the plugged follicles. These bacteria produce chemicals and enzymes and attract white blood cells that cause inflammation. (Inflammation is a characteristic reaction of tissues to disease or injury and is marked by four signs: swelling, redness, heat, and pain.) When the wall of the plugged follicle breaks down, it spills everything into the nearby skin-sebum, shed skin cells, and bacteria-leading to lesions or pimples.

The goals of acne treatment are to heal existing lesions, stop new lesions from forming, prevent scarring, and minimize the psychological stress and embarrassment caused by this disease. Drug treatment is aimed at reducing several problems that play a part in causing acne: abnormal clumping of cells in the follicles, increased oil production, bacteria, and inflammation. Depending on the extent of the person’s acne, the doctor will recommend one of several over-the-counter (OTC) medicines or prescription medicines that are topical (applied to the skin) or systemic (taken by mouth). The doctor may suggest using more than one topical medicine or combining oral and topical medicines.

If you are suffering from a mild case of acne it is extremely beneficial to try over the counter or natural remedies. For severe sufferers of acne is advised that they seek a consultation with their dermatologist or physician.