Acne is a serious skin disorder that affects both teenagers and adults alike. When the oil of the skin, or sebum, gets clogged within the pores, eruptions occur. These eruptions can range in size and severity. From comedones, which are whiteheads and blackheads; papules, pustules, nodules which are large, painful lumps; to cysts, which are the most severe acne type, and are pus-filled lumps that rest beneath the surface of the skin, acne can come in many forms, explains the Mayo Clinic. Glycolic acid is derived from natural fruit acids, to rejuvenate the skin by encouraging the shedding of old, damaged surface skin cells. Glycolic acid products have been used to treat acne conditions in cleansers and toners alike.
Types
The various types of acne should be treated differently, as more superficial comedones, which are small white or black heads, can be dealt with, primarily through topical applications of acne medications you can pick up at your local supermarket. More severe acne lesions, such as pustules, nodules and cysts generally relate to an imbalance of hormones, and should be dealt with at a different level of treatment, from prescription antibiotics to over-the-counter retin A topical products.
Significance
Acne can create very substantial self esteem issues, and if left untreated, can create permanent scarring and damage on the skin. Using a glycolic acid toner is suggested to exfoliate dead skin cells and acne-causing bacteria from the surface of the skin. Glycolic acid may prove helpful for those prone to acne, suggests Glycolic.org. These natural alpha hydroxy acids, or glycolic acids, have been used safely and effectively in skin care products for centuries.
Function
Glycolic acid products loosen the glue-like substances that hold the surface skin cells to each other, therefore allowing the dead skin to peel off, exfoliating harmful bacteria and build up within the pores. Further research shows that glycolic acid is the only alpha hydroxy acid that is able to penetrate through the cell walls by virtue of its small molecular size. This stimulates the skin to make new, healthier collagen and elastin fibers in the deeper dermis, suggests Diagnose-Me.com.
Prevention/Solution
The key to acne prevention is quality hygiene habits that utilize glycolic acid and other healing agents, in combination with the use of acne medicine in the form of benzoyl peroxide, Isotretinoin, which is an oral retinoid that is reserved for treatment of very severe cystic acne and severe acne, oral antibiotics or more holistic options through herbal formulas developed with the assistance of a naturopathic doctor.
Benefits
The benefits of using a glycolic acid formula toning agent when treating acne, is the fact that alpha hydroxy acids help the youngest cells of the skin move up from the deepest layer, and switch from being replacements to eventually becoming the mature surface cells that spit out lipids and support the development of the skin's protective barrier. This process supports healing, as well as skin regeneration, to support eliminating the potential for further acne eruptions.
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