Acne appears in many different areas, like the neck, back, chest, shoulders and upper arms, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, or AAD. It can take over any spot with oil glands, but it usually attacks the face. It's extremely common among adolescents, with 80 percent getting pimples, the Nemours hospital Teens Health website explains. Most cases can be effectively controlled with home treatment using store-bought or prescribed products.
Cause
Acne on the face appears because of an overabundance of a skin oil called sebum, the AAD explains. It blends with skin cells that naturally die, and the mixture blocks pores. The extra oil is food for a bacteria called P. acnes that can also get trapped. Treatments used for home acne treatment must attack at least one of its causes to be effective. They need to reduce oil, control skin cell shedding or kill bacteria.
Types
Various pimple types are common to facial acne. Most can be treated at home, although some require more aggressive intervention so they don't leave scars. The AAD identifies blackheads and whiteheads as two common pimples. A blackhead is open at the surface, while a whitehead is a complete pore blockage. They can be conquered with over-the-counter or prescribed topical remedies. Sometimes bacteria multiples rapidly and inflames the pimple, forming a large, red cyst that is warm to the touch, AAD warns. People with red cysts should see a doctor for aggressive treatment.
Treatment
The AAD cites benzoyl peroxide as an effective home acne medication that kills acne and gets rid of dead skin cells. Salicylic acid also assists with skin cell shedding problems. Alcohol and acetone are used together in oil-fighting products. Doctors prescribe products with stronger concentrations of these ingredients for people who do not have good results with over-the-counter versions. Some physicians also prescribe antibiotic pills to control the bacteria.
Considerations
Home treatment of facial acne involves more than just medicated products. The Mayo Clinic advises combining daily use of an acne-fighting preparation with proper facial washing. Facial skin should not be washed more than twice each day, and it should be cleansed with a very gentle product to prevent irritation. Acne sufferers should shower after any physical activity that causes sweat, as perspiration can trap bacteria and dirt. Avoid touching pimples as much as possible, and never squeeze them. The Mayo Clinic also recommends avoiding most make-up, except water-based or noncomedogenic or non-clogging varieties that do not promote acne.
Warning
Facial acne treatment is especially important because the pimples are in a highly visible place. The AAD warns that uncontrolled acne can cause emotional effects like poor self-esteem and body image, anxiety, depression, frustration and anger. Some acne sufferers withdraw from friends and family because of embarrassment. Effective home treatments can usually control the problem so it does not get bad enough to have an emotional impact. Otherwise, a dermatologist can use alternate treatments to minimize the impact on a person's looks, like injecting cysts with steroids to reduce them, the Acne.org information site explains.
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