Youth is not always a time of unblemished bliss. Amidst the laughter and good times comes a very personal problem ? which often leads to unnecessary embarrassment and self-consciousness at a time when confidence is particularly important: The problem of pimples and acne.
What is acne?
It is a pimpled, inflamed skin condition which starts during the teens and generally continues to the mid-twenties. It is a reflection of the fluctuation of hormone production as the body matures. It is not infectious and not a serious ailment. But it is a matter of serious concern to boys and girls.
The structure of the skin
What causes this condition? Take a close look at the structure of the skin: it shows there are two major layers, the outerf skin epidermis and the underlying dermis or 'true skin'.
The epidermis is pigmented, translucent and void of nerves and blood vessels. At the inner edge of the epidermis - where it joins the dermis-is the area where the skin grows, and as it does so the outer surface is continually rubbed and flaked away. The dermis contains blood vessels, nerves and glands. The glands open onto the surface of the skin though ducts ending in pores. The pit in which the hair grows is called the follicle and it is really an extension of the epidermis down into the dermal layer. It is in this pit that a substance called sebum, which is produced by the sebaceous glands is found.
How a pimple is caused?
In adolescence, glandular activity speeds up, and certain fundamental changes take place in the body. One of these changes is to overtime so that an abnormal amount of sebum is released in to the follicle, blocking its mouth. At this stage the area is ripe for inflection by bacteria which normally live harmlessly on the surface of healthy skin but attacks the surface of any damaged tissue. Pus is formed as the body's defence mechanisms fight the bacteria, forming a pimple.
The right medication
What should an effective acne medication do? Let's take another look at the three main 'skin level' causes of acne. There are the two external causes blockage and infection and the internal cause: the excess flow of sebum. A proper medication should deal with all three of these causes.
Skin specialists recommend a medication that contains sulphur, resorcinol, hexachlorophene and bentonite. Sulphur and resorcinol are useful as topical remedies. Their karatolytic action opens up the top of the pimple by dissolving the hard plug of keratin. Infected matter drains, so the hexachlorophene can penetrate in to fight the bacteria. Finally the bentonite absorbs the excess oil so that, in effect, the pimples are starved of the grease which is nourishing them. Regular use of a good pimple medication which combines all these vital actions, will not only treat the condition but will also help prevent further outbreaks.
The right medication in conjunction with a sensible diet, exercise and a well ordered daily routine can help you fight the problem of pimples and acne effectively-and put your best face forward in those wonderful growing up years.
