Acne, Pimples and Zits Information
What is Acne?
Acne is the most common skin disease
in the
USA
affecting more than 17 million people. It occurs when the pores of the
skin are plugged causing blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, and zits that
can even become cysts under the skin. Areas most affected are the face,
neck, chest and the back. In severe cases it even reaches the
shoulders and upper arms.
Not only severe acne can lead to scarring.
Therefore it is important to take this skin problem seriously.
Severe skin problems can even cause psychological and
emotional problems. Teenagers that have to live with acne for several
years often feel inferior and ashamed.
Causes
Elevated hormone levels
and hormonal changes
that occur mainly during puberty cause acne. The hormones that are
changing are the androgenic (male) hormones that are present in
both females and males.
The androgenic hormones cause the
sebaceous glands to produce more sebum. Sebum is an oily substance
that is usually needed to lubricate hair and skin. However, if an
excess of sebum is produced that will, together with dead cells,
eventually plug the pores of the skin.
The sebaceous glands are attached to hair
follicles. In the clogged hair follicle the skin bacteria
Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) can get trapped and multiply
causing inflammation and red swelling of the skin. If the
wall of the follicle breaks down the inflammation can be spread
to other parts of the skin causing more pimples and zits.
Acne can affect teenagers but also adults,
even into their 40s. Some adults that have never had acne during puberty
get it for the first time in their 20s.
Almost everyone
suffers from occasional pimples and zits during puberty. However, 40% of
all teens between the ages 13 and 17 suffer from skin problems that need to be
medically treated. Teenage skin problems can start as early as the age of 10 and
usually lasts for 5 to 10 years. In general, boys suffer from it more often than girls. However, both, boys and girls are equally
affected. Girls tend to get pimples and zits related to their
monthly cycle. In fact, many women are affected by skin problems right
around the time of their menstruation.
What is the difference between teenage and
adult acne?
Teenagers are more likely to develop skin
problems
because of the elevated hormone levels during puberty. The
hormones change during puberty because of the growth and development of
young adolescents.
Acne that occurs during adulthood is also
caused by the sebaceous glands producing too much sebum. The reasons for
the elevated hormone levels are different though, because in adulthood
the growth and development of a person is already completed.
Adults that suffered from skin problems during puberty
may in certain circumstances experience a flare-up.
That can for example happen during pregnancy. But also people
that have never suffered from this skin problem during puberty can get
it during
their adulthood. Certain medications that contain anabolic
steroids can cause acne.
In some cases pimples occur when parts of the
skin are under physical pressure for a long time. However, most of the
time adult acne is related to a hormonal imbalance. This affects women more than men. Women may sometimes have problems with
their skin when they discontinue the birth control pill. Also the wrong
cosmetics, mainly comedogenic cosmetics, can cause pimples in women.
In any case, adults that suffer from these
skin problems
should see a dermatologist in order to find the cause of the problem and
eliminate it. Adult skin problems are generally harder to treat than teenage
skin problems.
What treatments are available for teenage and
adult acne?
There are many products
available, however many of them cause unpleasant side effects or irritate the skin
even
more. Therefore more and more people trust natural treatments
that can effectively clear up major skin problems without side effects.
Click
here to read more about an effective natural
acne treatment.
Common myths
Are pimples really related to poor hygiene? Does junk food cause pimples?
Does stress cause zits?
Click here to read more about more
For more
information call toll free 1-800
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