Acne

Acne

• WHAT IS IT?
• WHAT’S THE CAUSE?
• Risk factors
• theory of TREATMENT
• Types of treatment
• LIFESTYLE modfication 

WHAT IS IT? 

Acne is a skin condition that occurs when your hair follicles become plugged with oil and dead skin cells. 

Acne most commonly appears on your face, neck, chest, back and shoulders. Acne lesions heal slowly, and when one begins to resolve, others seem to crop up.

The good news is effective treatments are available. The earlier treatment is started, the lower your risk of lasting damage.

WHAT’S THE CAUSE? 

Three factors contribute to the formation of acne:

•  Overproduction of oil (sebum)

•  Irregular shedding of dead skin cells

•  Buildup of bacteria

An oily substance known as sebum lubricates your hair and skin. It travels up along the hair shafts and then out through the openings of the hair follicles onto the surface of your skin. When your body produces an excess amount of sebum and dead skin cells, the two can build up in the hair follicles and form together as a soft plug.

This plug may cause the follicle wall to bulge and produce a whitehead. Or the plug may open to the surface and darken, causing a blackhead. Pimples are raised red spots with white centers. They develop when blocked follicles become inflamed or infected. Block-ages and inflammation that develop inside hair follicles may produce lumps near the skin surface (nodules) or deep in the follicle (cysts).

Risk factors

Factors that can trigger or aggravate acne include:

•  Hormones. During puberty, hormones increase and cause the sebaceous glands to enlarge and make more oil. Pregnancy and use of oral contraceptives also can affect sebum production.

•  Certain medications. Drugs containing corticosteroids, androgens or lithium are known to cause acne.

•  Diet. Dairy products and carbohydrate-rich foods, such as bread and chips, which increase blood sugar, may trigger acne.

•  Greasy or oily substances. Contact with some cosmetics or lotions may trigger or worsen acne.

•  Family history. You’re at increased risk if your parents had acne.

•  Friction or pressure. This includes pressure on the skin from items such as cellphones, helmets, tight collars and backpacks.

•  Stress. Stress doesn’t cause acne, but it may worsen acne.

Theory of TREATMENT

Acne treatments work by reducing oil production, speeding up skin cell turnover, fighting bacterial infection, reducing inflammation or doing all four. 

It may take a while to see results, and your skin may get worse before it gets better.

Types of treatment 

Treatment for acne includes:

Over-the-counter topical creams. 

These products may dry up the oil, kill bacteria and promote sloughing of dead skin cells. 

Over-the-counter treatments are generally helpful for very mild acne.

Prescription topical creams. 

These treatments promote cell turnover and help prevent the plugging of the hair follicles. 

Topical antibiotics kill excess bacteria on the skin.

Antibiotics.

A short course of prescription oral antibiotics to reduce bacteria and fight inflammation may be used for moderate to severe acne. 

Oral antibiotics are often used together with topical creams.

Isotretinoin. 

This medication is used for scarring cystic acne or acne that doesn’t respond to other treatments. 

It’s very effective but can cause a number of side effects and requires monthly checkups.

Oral contraceptives. 

Some oral contraceptives may improve acne that occurs in relation to a woman’s menstrual cycle.

Laser and light therapy. 

Laser treatment damages oil (sebaceous) glands, causing them to produce less oil.  

Light therapy targets the bacteria that cause acne inflammation. 

Currently, these therapies are recommended only in people who can’t tolerate acne medications.

Cosmetic procedures. 

Chemical peels and microdermabrasion are most effective when used in combination with other treatments.