Acne has been the curse of many a teenager. Presuming that without this unsightly skin infection their lives would be much easier, all manner of cures have been tried. Some have helped and others have not. Here I will discuss what acne is, what causes it and a number of cures for it.
Acne is an inflammation of the skin. It is actually caused by disruption in the hair follicles and associated sebaceous glands. It is believed that this disruption is caused by the male hormone testosterone, or rather an intense response to the hormone. Most people grow out of their acne stage. As they grow older, the acne disappears. Some people however are not so lucky, they can have acne into their middle age.
The process by which individual acne infections are created is through an interaction of the sebaceous glands and the hair follicles. The sebaceous gland, which is in close proximity to a hair follicle, produces excess oil. This oil becomes trapped in the hair follicle by naturally occurring dead skin cells that block external opening of the hair follicle. In this environment, the oil builds up. A skin bacteria called Propionibacterium Acnes starts to multiply and thrive. The result is a pimple or zit.
This is where testosterone is believed to have its influence. A genetically programmed response to react strongly to testosterone is believed to be the culprit in the creation of excess oils by the sebaceous gland. Bear in mind that both the male and female bodies create testosterone, just in different proportions.
More recent research has focused on other issues related to the process of infection development. These include the narrowing of the hair follicle, excessive skin shedding in the follicle lining and water retention in the skin, which could cause unusual swelling to occur. All of these factors could also be contributing to the development of acne.
Although there have been studies in the past linking diet to acne, most of these are now seen as flawed. Fat and sugar consumption do not cause acne. However, an individual acne sufferer may find that outbreaks of acne are caused by eating certain foods. If this is the case, the best advice is to limit or avoid these foods.
Another false conception about acne is that it is caused by poor hygienic practices. The actual plugging of the hair follicle takes place well below the outer skin level. The follicle blockages would not be washed away by cleansing. Good cleaning habits are useful, but they are not a cure for acne.
The cures that are being used today include both chemical and mechanical exfoliants. These work by peeling off the outer layer of skin, allowing the excess oils to drain from the hair follicles. Also both oral and topical antibiotics are used to kill the bacteria that grow in the blocked hair follicles. Another approach is light therapy. In light therapy, specially built fluorescent lamps or lasers are used to treat the skin by drying out the excess oil or killing the bacteria in the pimples. Hormone therapy can also be used by women to treat acne. Hormones are used to counteract the testosterone in their bodies.
Obviously, the best approach is to contact a skin specialist and try to find a cure that suits you and your needs. With what is available today and what is known about acne, the odds of you finding a cure for your acne are high.
Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Acne | |
