Acne: Causes, Common Myths and Doctor's Treatment

Sebum (oil) is a natural substance that protects the skin and lubricates it. When the surface close to the opening of the sebaceous glands is blocked by the cells, oil starts building up underneath, resulting in the growth of bacteria causing the tissue to get inflamed. This inflammation produces a pustule near the skin surface. This is the real cause of acne.

Three things you can do to completely remove acne are:

• Kill bacteria
• Minimize oil
• Unclog pores
  

Killing the bacteria

Killing the bacteria seems to be the perfect solution to cure acne but for that you will have to rely on anti-acne creams.

Antibacterial cleanser is the best way to kill acne bacteria. You can use "benzoyl peroxide", the best cleanser to clean up acne bacteria.

Topical (external) applications

These products basically contain benzoyl peroxide, sulfur available in the form of gel, lotions and creams. Directly apply them on your face twice a day, and you will notice reduced pimples on your skin.

Minimizing oil

You can't stop the oil glands to produce lesser oil underneath the skin surface, but you can control it. To control the secretion of oil, try the following:

1. Use a stringent/toner of a well known company that suits your skin.

2. Products having glycolic acid or alpha hydroxyl are effective for extra oil in your skin.

3. Products containing sulfur also acts as a cleansing agent to clear up the extra oil from your face.

4. Antibacterial pads easily available in the market can help you remove extra oil from your face and also keep your face clean.

Opening pores

The best way is to open up the pores. There are many products available in the market that will help you clean your skin and open up your pores. But, don't go with the advertisements you read in fashion magazines. You can achieve the same in the following manner:

Mild cleansers: Try to keep your face clean. Wash at least twice a day with a good face wash that suits your skin e.g. Dove, Cetaphil, etc. You can wash your face with clay. It will also keep your face clean and is also not expensive in comparison to other products.

Peeling: There are a variety of scrubs and masques available that contain salicylic acid and granules in a ratio that will work as a good peeling agent. These products will remove the outer layer of your skin and open up the clogged pores.

Other things to keep your face clean are:

Cosmetics: You can hide the pimples by foundation or by flesh-tinted cover-up. Use water-based and oil-free products only.

Facials: A facial is a good and temporary way to get rid of acne. Steaming and deep-cleaning of pores is also very helpful.

Pore strips: Strips can also help you remove the black heads present on your nose, head and chin and help in cleaning your skin. These types of strips are available under many brands that are safe and inexpensive.

Toothpaste: This is a popular and effective home remedy to clear skin. Apply toothpaste on pimple and clean it after a minute or two to relieve your skin from dirt and oil.

Common Acne Myths

Below are some of the common myths about acne that people believe to be true, but they are not.

1. Acne is hereditary.

Acne is never caused by heredity disorder. It is true that many people do face the acne problem, but it is not related to heredity.

2. Oily or junk food cause acne

Acne is not caused by eating oily or junk food but such intake does affect the overall health of a person. However, oily food is an obstacle in the cure of acne.

3. Dirt causes acne.

Dirt is not the real cause of acne but results in forming of blackheads when the skin gets oxidized oil. Sweat doesn't cause acne. Even sometimes excessive washing can dry the skin.

4. Picking pimples can cure acne.

Some people get so frustrated by acne that they touch the pimples and try to pick them. This makes it more complicated and can increase the problem leaving out a scar in the end.

Acne Causing Factors

Hormones

Hormones play an important role in causing acne. When a woman has abnormal periods and excessive hair growth, it causes acne. Sometimes, pregnancy affects this problem and clears it up completely.

Cosmetics

Some cosmetic products can also cause acne. However, water-based and oil-free products are completely safe and do not cause acne.

Drugs

Drugs that contain iodides, bromides, or injected steroids usually taken by bodybuilders or athletes can cause acne. However, in most of the cases, acne is not a drug related.

Types of Pimples that Imitate Acne

Rosacea

This type result in pimples over middle third of the face. People of age group 30 to 40 are mostly affected by it. There is no whitehead and blackhead in this case.

Pseudofolliculitis

Curly hair lying close to your skin produces pimples known as pseudofolliculitis. This is a mechanical problem and is also known as "razor bumps" or "razor rash."

Folliculitis

Pimples sometimes occur on abdomen, buttocks, or legs. This is the case of folliculitis and is really not acne. Doctors prescribe antibiotics to cure such a problem.

Doctor's Treatment for Acne

To keep your face clean:

1. Clean your skin at least twice a day with 5% benzoyl peroxide. People that are allergic to benzoyel peroxide can use 2% salicylic acid.
2. Use gel/cream containing 5% benzoyl peroxide or sulfur or resorcinol that best suits your skin.
3. Wash your face before you sleep and apply cream containing sulfur to the affected areas.
4. Use oil-free makeup.
5. Eat "neem" leaves to purify your blood. But this will work best during the month of February or March. Impurities in blood can also result in pimples on your face.

Doctor's Prescription

Topical (externally applied) antibiotics and anti-bacterial products like erythromycin, clindamycin, sulfacetamide and azelaic acid

Retinoid is also a good solution to cure acne but they may have side-effects like irritation and sensitivity to the sun.

Oral antibiotics

Tetracycline or the related medicines like doxycycline and minocycline, cefadroxil, amoxicillin and the sulfa drugs are also prescribed by doctors. For these medicines, doctor prescription is required as these drugs can result in allergies related to gastrointestinal upset or increased sun sensitivity, especially with sulfa. Doxycycline is somewhat safe but can cause esophagitis or sunburn.

Oral antibiotics are a good way to cure acne but a doctor prescription is mandatory as the antibiotics can cause allergic reactions in the body. Long intake of such medicines by women can result in breast cancer.

"Spironolocatone" is the drug that blocks androgen (hormone) receptors. It increases the potassium levels in the bloodstream. It is generally well tolerated by the young women who specially need it. It was introduced in Europe in 1971.

This solution is a slow working process and is not suited for people badly suffering from acne as such people often tend to frustrate when such prescriptions don't work and go for other market products that could make their case even worse. It is intended for people where acne has just started to appear.

Now days, laser treatment has become an efficient method to clear the pimples. Studies have proved laser treatment to be safe and effective. Chemical peel is yet another good and safe treatment advised by doctors.

The above remedies are not to be adopted without doctor's prescription as it may cause certain unavoidable side effects.