Acne is the most common skin condition in the United States with approximately 40 to 50 million Americans have acne or will develop it later on in life, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Teenagers are most affected by acne with 85 percent of the American teenage population affected. There is a lot of information surfacing about acne and why it develops and how to treat it, but according to the American Academy of Dermatology, there is no complete understanding of the condition. Knowing some of the basic information is helpful in dealing with your condition and finding the right treatment.
Causes and Risk Factors
Acne has three major causes which contribute to its development, according to the Mayo Clinic. These are the overproduction of oils known as sebum buildup of bacteria and irregular shedding of dead skin which can lead to irritation of hair follicles. Acne will occur when these factors come into play. Your hair follicles are each connected to sebaceous glands which secrete sebum. This oil lubricates your hair and skin and will normally exit up the shaft of the follicle. However, when your body produces too much sebum and an excess of dead skin is formed, the follicle will become clogged. What causes the overproduction of sebum is not yet fully understood but hormones, genes and medications all play a role. Greasy foods and chocolate, the two most commonly accused culprits of acne, show to have little effect on acne, according to the Mayo Clinic. Over-cleaning of your face and skin will irritate skin and can cause acne. Teenagers and pregnant women are at a higher risk for acne, as well as those on certain medications such as cortisone, according to the Mayo Clinic. Family history also plays a role in the development of acne.
Symptoms
When there is only a little sebum flow that is blocked inside a follicle, a whitehead or blackhead will appear. These are the first levels of acne to appear, and are called comedones. If this blockage occurs deeper in the follicle, it is called a papule, or pimple--small, raised bumps which indicate inflammation. Deeper blockages cause pustules to form, which are similar to papules, but have white pus at the tip. Nodules and cysts are the last two types of acne to form. They are painful and produce large solid, or pus-filled lumps under the skin, deep in the hair follicle. Acne may appear on the face, neck, back, chest and shoulders--areas with large sweat glands which leave them more predisposed to acne, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Topical Treatments
For most part, over-the-counter or prescription topical treatments will clear up mild acne, according to the Mayo Clinic. For very mild cases of acne, lotions can dry up the oil, kill bacteria and remove dead skin cells. Most of these products contain benzoyl peroxide, sulfur, resorcinol, salicylic acid or lactic acid as their active ingredient. For more severe cases of acne, topical treatments available by prescription may be necessary and include tretinoin (Avita, Retin-A, Renova), adapalene (Differin) and tazarotene (Tazorac, Avage). They are derived from vitamin A and work by promoting cell turnover and preventing plugging of hair follicles.
Special Treatments
When topical treatments do not clear the acne, other treatment include antibiotics, isotretinoin for deep cysts, or laser and light therapy. According to the Mayo Clinic, usage of antibiotics for acne has declined due to drug resistance. A combination of antibiotics and topical treatments seem to work the best in reducing this resistance. Isotretinoin is used for deep cysts, under direct medical supervision, due to potentially serious side effects. Laser and light treatments can reach deep layers of the skin without much damage or irritation to the surface of the skin. Laser and light treatments kill the bacteria which cause inflammation. This type of treatment is reserved for patients that cannot tolerate other treatments or which show signs of scarring, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Prevention
Taking the steps necessary to reduce your risk of developing acne should be done seriously, especially if you know your family is predisposed to the condition. Women should wear less makeup and use oil-free ones labeled "non-comedogenic." Avoid excess washing of the face because it will remove too much of the natural oils your skin needs. According to the American Academy of Dermatology and the Mayo Clinic, your diet does not affect acne, but greasy foods can leave oil behind around the mouth or your hands which you will use to touch your face. Acne is never completely cured, and after your condition lightens, still use a topical cream on areas prone to acne. Remember to remove makeup at night, and wash your face after. Also remember to shower as soon as possible after exercise.
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