What to Do About Acne and when You Should See a Doctor

An estimated 80 percent of all teenagers are thought to suffer from acne to some degree, however, believe it or not, acne is not exclusively a young person's problem. Acne in teenagers is caused by the increased production of hormones that stimulate the secretion of an oily substance in the skin. This oily substance is called sebum. Sebum becomes trapped in hair follicles, it clogs the pores and produces blackheads or whiteheads. Blackheads are also called comedo and are a plug of keratin and sebum within the hair follicle that is blackened at the surface. Whiteheads, or milium, are small white or yellowish nodules resembling a millet seed, produced in the skin by the retention of sebaceous secretion. If the clog pore bursts, bacteria spread to surrounding tissue, forming a pimple. White blood cells gather to fight the infection causing blister-like eruption, or pustle.

Treatment of Mild Acne

Mild cases of acne, such as cases where there are mostly blackheads and whiteheads, generally run their course within a year or two and usually do not require medication or professional medical treatments. The best remedy is cleanliness. Wash the face twice a day with an unscented or medicated soap to help prevent the build up of oils. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water. The skin may become irritated with more frequent washing.

Over-the-counter creams and ointments containing benzoyl peroxide may help to control mild cases, but stop their use if use causes chapping or excessive dryness. Keep your hands away from your face. Girls should use medicated cosmetics or none at all.

Personally, I have found that AcneFree Severe Acne Treatment System by University Medical works the best. It is an orange kit that you can pick up at Wal-Mart for about $30 and includes a face wash, toner, moisturizer, and retinol renewal complex. It not only begins to clear away acne after the first day of use, but it also prevents acne and helps clear away scars.

It was once believed that chocolate, cheese, and fried foods contributed to acne. However, these theories have been widely discredited, but any food that seems to worsen acne in an individual should be avoided.

Although acne is rarely a threat to physical health, it can cause severe emotional distress. Many affected teenagers are self-conscious about the condition and some may withdrawal or use their acne as an excuse to avoid school and social situations or activities. If such behavior becomes a problem, seek professional counseling.

Severe Acne

For persistent and severe cases of acne, see your doctor. Frequent and neglected pimples and pustles can cause disfiguring scars.