Overview

Acne is a common skin conditions that affects people of all ages however it mostly affects people between the ages of 12 and 25. The affect of acne is that one or more of the following appear on the surface of the skin:

Blackheads
Whiteheads
Red/Yellow Spots
Greasy Skin
Scars

Causes of Acne

Contrary to popular belief, Acne is not caused by sweets or sugary foods. Another myth is that its caused by dirt – although this may lead to bacteria multiplying.

Just beneath the surface of the skin are the sebaceous glands. These secret a substance called sebum which keeps the skin naturally smooth. It is these glands which contribute to the appearance of acne when they overproduce sebum. Sometimes the pores are clogged with dead skins cells and this may trap the sebum inside the pores. This leads to the appearance of blackheads and whiteheads.

The trapped oils and dead skin provide a great environment for bacteria to grow. The bacteria that feed of the oils and dead skin produce a substance that causes a reaction by the person’s immune system. This leads to the redness associated with the spots.

Treatment

The appearance of acne may cause distress to people but there is a variety of products and treatments available that can resolve the problem. If one is worried or unsure about the best course of treatment then they should visit their doctor for advice.

Natural Treatment: Keep the skin clean by washing twice a day. Its important to remember not to wash too vigorously as this is not god for the skin – the skin needs a certain amount of oil to stay fresh. There are other products available such as Clearasil that help clear it up. Bear in mind that these treatments usually take some time to clear acne.

Prescription Treatment: If a person’s acne is severe then, their doctor may prescribe some treatments that may be taken orally or rubbed onto the skin. There is a range of prescriptions available to people depending on the severity of the acne. Examples of oral prescriptions include oral antibiotics and isotretinoin. Oral antibiotics usually have to be taken for a period of 3 months, although it may even take up to 6 months. The problem with this type of treatment is that some strains of bacteria are resistant to the antibiotics.
Creams such as Skinoren can be applied to the affected area can be used to reduce the inflammation. It works by killing the bacteria and breaking down the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin.

More details on treatments can be found at Today's Acne Info