Acne is a skin disorder resulting from the actions of hormones and other substances on skin oil glands and hair follicles. These things often lead to plugged pores and outbreak of lesions more commonly known as pimples and zits. Acne lesions basically occur on the face, back, chest, neck and shoulders. Thus acne is a term for plugged pores [blackheads and whiteheads], pimples and even deeper lumps [cysts and nodules] that appear in different parts of the body.

How does acne develop?

Acne is a disease of the pilosebaceous units [PSUs], which consists of sebaceous glands connected to a canal, called a follicle that contains a layer of fine hair. These sebaceous glands produce an oily substance called sebum that normally empties onto the skin through the opening of the follicles. When the walls of this plugged follicle breaks down, it starts spilling everything like sebum, bacteria and shed skin cells, thereby leading to lesions and pimples.

Factors that make acne worse

Although the exact cause of acne is still unknown, but doctors have a strong belief that they result from various factors. One of the main factors include sudden burst of androgens that occur more during puberty. The factors of acne include heredity or genetics. Children usually have a tendency of getting acne from their parents and often get affected due to usage of drugs like androgens and lithium.

However, there are several factors that can make acne worse:

低hanging hormone levels in adolescent girls and adult women
余xcess secretion of oil after using of skin products like moisturizers and cosmetics.
判ressure from tight collars, tight sports uniform and backpacks
余nvironmental irritants like pollution and high humidity
佚ard scrubbing of skin
刨queezing or picking at blemishes
刨tress and anxiety

Types of acne

People suffering from acne can basically have a variety of lesions that can act as a detriment to the skin.

Following are the types of acne:

低omedo ?an enlarged and plugged hair follicle that mainly produces whiteheads
判apules ?inflamed lesions that usually appear as small pink bumps on the skin that can appear to be tender on touch
低ysts ?deep, painful and usually pus-filled lesions that can cause scarring
冷odules ?large painful solid lesions that are lodged deep within the skin
判ustules ?papules topped with white and yellow pus-filled lesions that are basically red at the base

How to treat acne?

Dermatologists normally treat acne but often you can use some homemade recipes to prevent severe acne. You should wash your face at least thrice a day with cold water and a mild cleanser. Using essential oils like lavender, chamomile, calendula, juniper and mint with almond oil on your skin will give effective results. You should also start adding zinc supplements to your diet and avoid caffeine, junk food and salty foods.

Other than these homemade recipes, you can also take prescribed medicines that contain benzoyl peroxide, salicyclic acid, sulfur, Azelaic acid, vitamin A, and OTC topical medicines to recover fast from acne.

Acne is common in teenage and during pregnancy, when it occurs on adults it is a very stressful situation for them, as the society does not approve acne or adults. Some adults feel so embarrassed that they want to hide acne from other people sight. Studies have shown some growing evidence on acne, that it can be a hereditary disease too apart from occurring due to hormonal imbalances. It is due to oil production and mismanagement of dead cells exfoliation. Acne lesions in adults are normally seen on the face, but might also occur anytime on the chest, neck, back, scalp, legs, upper arms and even shoulders. Adult acne is very persistent when compared to teen acne, as acne seen in teens subsides over time when the hormones get adjusted. Another major drawback of adult acne is that it leads to permanent scarring.

Key Factors That Contribute to adult acne:

Hormones are considered as the main culprit and mainly cause skin eruptions or outbreak of acne. But, has anyone thought about the organs that produce the hormones? The actual fact is that the kidneys, liver and skin are the important organs involved in eliminating impurities and waste particles from the body, if anyone of the organs does not work properly and does not eliminate waste out the body, it might result in acne in adults. Acne or the skin eruption is the first symptom of failure these organs are facing. To facilitate the elimination of waste from body water is very important, when water is taken in good quantities the bowels are cleared and the blood too gets rid of its toxic elements. If water content decreases the skin might not do its function of eliminating wastes, or the lungs might not be able to oxygenize the blood due to the impurities of air is breathed and retained in it. Hence, the factors for acne may be air, food, emotional stress, water etc.

Natural adult acne treatments:

The wastes from the body should be eliminated properly to facilitate it the person should be exposed to pure air, water, natural food habits and, foods rich in antioxidants. A natural face wash made up of clean, warm water with lemon juice can be used to pamper the skin. The lemon has the ability to reduce oil from the skin, hence minimizing acne in adults. Fiber rich food helps in the removal of toxins and wastes from the body by facilitating the bowel movements. Also when using cosmetic products, care needs to be taken not to use oil-based cosmetics.

Acne affects virtually all teenagers at one point or another, to varying degrees. Teen acne is hereditary and is brought on by hormonal changes related to menstrual periods, pregnancy, birth control pills, or stress; oily hair and skin products; certain drugs such as steroids, testosterone, estrogen, and phenytoin; and high levels of humidity or sweating. While acne attacks boys and girls alike, it is worse in boys because they produce more skin oils. However, girls are more likely to seek out a dermatologist. Either way, fear not: everywhere you look, there is another teen acne treatment to be found.

There are many over-the-counter acne treatments for teenagers to unblock pores, reduce bacteria and dry out pimples. They contain benzoyl peroxide (such as Neutrogena On-The-Spot) or salicylic acid (such as Stri-dex). For more effective yet harsher treatment, there is sulfur or resorcinol (such as Clearasil Adult Care). Acne responds best when treated early.

All acne treatments work by preventing new breakouts, and must be used over a period of weeks or months. Even if you begin to see improvement, continue treatment. Follow the directions on the package or as prescribed by your dermatologist.

Even more numerous than over-the-counter medications are prescription drugs and topicals that curb oil build-up, skin cell shedding and bacteria growth – all while drying and peeling away old acne and stimulating healthy skin growth. In cases of unresponsive or severe acne, isotretinoin (Accutane) may be used. Talk to your dermatologist to find out what is appropriate for your case of acne.

To avoid scarring, you should never pick or squeeze acne, especially inflammatory acne or ustules? Squeezing forces infected material deeper into the skin, causing additional inflammation and possible scarring. Also, avoid scrubbing your skin. If you do get scars, acne scar treatment is available in many forms.