Is Acne Curable?

Cure Acne by Knowing It

Acne vulgaris is a condition where lesions form on the skin, differing in size and severity depending on whether they are inflamed.

Acne vulgaris is a condition where lesions form on the skin, differing in size and severity depending on whether they are inflamed. These lesions are usually found on the face, neck, upper part of the chest, and back. The condition is common for teenagers, and starts with puberty. There is no way to predict how long it will continue, though it usually becomes less severe after the early twenties.

Acne will develop when skin pores become blocked. A plug forms over the pore, made of excess keratin and a natural oil secreted by skin called sebum. The gland which produces sebum will then enlarge. In some cases, a small blackish bump often called a "blackhead" will form, but if dead skin cells are in the clogged pore, bacteria commonly found on the skin can inflame the acne, causing redness and a white pustule.

Some factors may increase the likeliness of this pore blockage and the severity of the result.

1. A family history of acne seems to predict which people are more susceptible.

2. Hormones, particularly androgens that are produced in greater number for both genders at the onset of puberty. They can cause glands to become larger and more sebum to be produced. Hormone level changes during menstrual cycles can have a similar effect.

3. Skin inflammation of any kind can cause the acne to be more noticeable.

4. Stress levels have been tenuously linked to flare-ups of acne, though the connection between stress and acne is still debated.

5. Propionibacterium acnes, anaerobic bacteria commonly found in pores.

6. Abnormally low levels of vitamins A and E in the bloodstream.

7. Use of amphetamines.

Diet and hygiene do have an impact on acne, but not in the way that many people think.

Acne is wrongly blamed on excessive consumption of chocolate. Science does not support this connection. Chocolate contains antioxidants and can reduce stress which might otherwise worsen acne. More likely culprits are foods with a high glycemic index and simple carbohydrate content.

There has also been recent research linking acne to some dairy products. The problem may be the presence of sex hormones and bovine insulin-like growth factor 1 in cow's milk.

Poor hygiene is typically blamed for acne due to the misconception that dirt blocks pores, when, in fact, built up oil of the skin and oxidized keratin block pores. These are produced by the human body and situated too deep in pores to be washed away. Standard face washing could, however, help remove some built-up oil before a pore becomes blocked.

While changes in diet and hygiene show promise, there are many available anti-acne treatments. Each has benefits and side effects.

1. Bactericidals such as benzoyl peroxide. This particular ingredient can be in ointments, creams, bar soaps or washes, and is like mild bleach. It can dry out skin and cause redness and irritation, so it is often used in combination with a moisturizer. Alternatives with fewer side effects include triclosan and chlorhexidine gluconate, but these are also less potent.

2. Antibiotics applied topically or ingested orally. Topical use is as effective as oral ingestion and avoids side effects common with treatments like erythromycin, such as upset stomach. Tetracycline can also cause yellowing of the teeth. Orally ingested antibiotics will, however, have a longer lasting effect. In either case, bacteria will become resistant to antibiotics over time.

3. Hormone treatments work for women. The hormones in common contraceptive pills have some effect, but a combination of Cyproterone and an estrogen can reduce the level of androgens. Cortisone injections can also flatten out the lesion by reducing inflammation, making it easier to cover with makeup.

4. Retinoids, including vitamin A and Retinol, help reduce the follicle cell errors that eventually lead to blockages. The topical treatment can irritate the skin, causing temporary facial flushing and an acne flare-up, and oral versions occasionally cause nosebleeds.

Retinol is often applied topically, while the vitamin A derivative isotretinoin (often called Accutane) is orally ingested. Retinoids can be more effective than bactericidals. Accutane should be avoided during pregnancy as it can cause birth defects.

5. Lights and lasers are known to cause temporary improvement without developing bacterial resistance. Phototherapy involves an intense violet light that, when used twice weekly or daily, greatly reduces the number of lesions.

Lasers cause thermal damage to the skin to remove follicle sacs from which hair grows, burn sebaceous glands that produce oils, and create oxygen inside pimples that will kill anaerobic bacteria. Both phototherapy and laser treatment can be expensive, and lasers are still considered an experimental technology in the field of dermatology.

If the side effects of these common treatments unsettle you, some natural treatments have shown promise. Preparations of tea tree oil can have moderate antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. Zinc pills can treat inflammatory acne, though not as effectively as antibiotics.

Vitamins B3 and B5 may help skin in many ways such as reducing inflammation. Localized heat treatment helps in eliminating bacteria in developing pimples and speed-up the healing process.

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