Acne Is Not Only The Teenagers' Malady!

Acne is also known as pimples. Generally this simple looking disease, which arrives so casually and unexpectedly, has clear cut intentions about your body. Any part could be its playground. It is capable of leaving cuts, scars and marks on the skin, if not controlled and properly treated, well in time. So, be highly alert, if you observe a swelling in your skin. Never try to experiment with it, arguing, 'after all, it is my skin.' Do not pop it. Acne, whose scientific name is acne vulgaris, claims a fair share of adults, under its net. Adults have a wrong notion that it is the teenager's malady only. It is not so. The prime reason of its occurrence, as quoted by Acne scientists and researchers, is that the skin pores get clogged causing the accumulation of fatty material from the oil gland or sebaceous gland. Do all the pores get affected by acne? No! Why? The reason is not known. Scientists and the researchers are on the job. Much is said and written on the subject of acne. But they are as unreliable as the myth- mongers. Only they claim their scientific right to revise their earlier 'unassailable scientific findings', which become their new truth. Remember, someone else is busy in another laboratory, to negate the former version about acne. The difference between the researchers and the myth-mongers is that the former get paid for their findings, whether assertion or denial, and the later are left high and dry. So, you have to take a practical view about your acne, and take certain basic precautions, once you feel signals of its arrival. Try to identify first, whether you have blackheads or whiteheads. Observe and experiment with judicious approach and commonsense, when it comes to treatment. It differs from person to person. The habit of popping up the acne, is certain invitation to the scars. Know whether your acne is inflammatory or non-inflammatory. The later ones are difficult to identify, and here you need to consult the dermatologist, without taking any chances with the standard over-the-counter medicines. Caution is better than inviting complications. Rememberer, you have to rebuild the skin broken by acne. Your selection of diet, the line of treatment and above all, your patience is going to be tested.

Acne As A Teen Disease

Acne is one of the major problems teenagers face, it is something that, in some conditions, may have a devastating effect on their social life, self esteem and mental health. The acne condition can range from mild to severe, and in some cases is very difficult to treat and decrease. In addition to acne being a skin condition that is, to say the least, unpleasant, it also have social and emotional effect. This effect carries with it a multitude of psychological issues that change teens lives in different ways. When thinking back I remember my acne problem and very clearly remember that my friends and peers were not much of a help to me at those times. Society seems to react to this skin condition in the worst possible way, when the spirit of the teenager is at its most delicate phase. This is a prime reason to why many teens try and avoid social events, situation where they might be in danger of embracement over a skin condition on which they seemingly have no control. One big problem is that some people do not understand the acne problem for the mere reason that they never suffered from it, obviously this creates a terrible situation where the teen is not only ridiculed for the acne he suffers from, he gets this from others that very clearly do not have the problem. In more recent years, however, the problems faced by those who suffer from acne are being more widely addressed, and the social and psychological effects being studied more closely. Some will say that the problem is our society and the norms it sets, the definition of beauty or of health in certain ages and in certain cultures. In a society where so much importance is placed on appearance and complying to the "norm", higher standards have been set concerning what people do and don't accept. In the defining phase of his life, the teenager is extremely exposed to these social agreements and this creates problems with the understanding of the limits to improvement and the shame that follows lack of improvement. For teens this very important and sometimes even seem crucial. Many teenagers slowly get used to what other teenagers say about them and within a short period of time become very critical of their appearance and social possibilities, it is of course ridicules that a young man will judge himself for having a skin condition but this actually happens and even more, some teens begin to develop inner hate towards themselves – because of this social pressure. The best solution for explaining and combating acne and its social implications, it is recommended that a parent or a guide of some sort will explain to the teen that acne is caused by many different things, many factors contribute to the development of acne. In teens it is believed that hormones are the primary reason, hormones cause the body to produce excess oil, which in turn clogs pores and causes pimples. This kind of situation can be solved by regular acne treatment. The parent should also explain that eating certain foods and the way you clean your face also has little to do with the development of acne, reassuring the teen at this point is very important as he is very likely to be bombarded with exaggerated acne urban tales that create a feeling like everything the teen is doing is the cause of the acne, as if it was a curse he couldn’t shake.

Acne’s Top 10 FAQ’s

1.) Can you get (catch) acne from other people? Answer: While certain types of acne do contain a bacterium, it is located in the hair follicles under your skin and can not be transmitted through contact. So no, touching or kissing someone with acne will not cause you to develop acne. 2.) If both my parents had acne does that mean I will develop acne? Answer: Studies show that heredity does play an important role in determining who develops acne. So children of parents who had or have acne are at a grater risk then others. It should be noted that as with any disease just because you have a family history, does not guarantee you will get it; only that you have a much great chance then someone with no family history. 3.) Does eating or drinking certain foods cause acne? Answer: Over the years studies have suggested everything from chocolate, candy, fried foods, sugar, drinking water, orange juice to milk can cause you to develop acne or make existing acne worse. However their is no scientific evidence to support any such results. There are so many factors effecting acne development that it is very difficult to isolate any one cause. So whether or not to avoid certain foods or drinks is really just an individual preference. If you find your skin reacts negatively to certain foods, then just don’t eat or drink it. 4.) Does dirt on my skin cause acne? Answer: Having proper hygiene will help with healthy skin. However dirty skin will not cause acne, but anybody with acne should be extra vigilant in having a good cleansing routine. Over washing can irritate your skin and make it more vulnerable to infection. Washing with a gentle cleanser will help reduce skin cell build up and keep your skin looking at its best. So find a balance and try not to over wash. 5.) Does stress cause acne? Answer: Stress has been shown to make acne worse, not directly cause it. So if you suffer from acne you should be aware of how you react under stress and develop ways to help manage and keep it under control. This will not only help with controlling your acne but also benefit your over all health. 6.) Can you develop acne once you are out of your teens? Answer: The simple answer is yes. In fact many people who never experienced acne as a teen can develop it in their 30, 40, and 50’s. 7.) Does make up or sunscreen make acne worse? Answer: Certain products that are overly greasy and thick can plug the skins follicles leading to the development of acne. Not all products affect everyone the same way, so while you many develop acne using one product someone else may not. If you are prone to acne you will need to be extra careful with what you put on your skin. Try to always use oil free products and also test a small amount on a patch of skin for a few days before using it all over. 8.) Will exercising affect my acne? Answer: While it is still unclear why this happens, vigorous exercising that causes your body to heat up and sweat does seem to cause acne to get worse for certain people. One theory is that exercise increases the production of sebum, the oil that when to much is produced can lead to acne. 9.) Can a facial help with acne? Answer: There is no easy way to answer this question. The term facial is used to describe everything from an over the counter product you buy from a drug store and do it yourself to something done at an expensive spa for hundreds of dollars. The bottom line is anything that might irritate your skin can make your acne worse. 10.) Why does my acne stop responding to my current treatment? Answer: Acne medication, like all medications can become less effective over time as your body builds a resistance to them. It might be necessary to use acne treatment regiments on a rotational basis for optimum effectiveness.

About Adult Acne

Acne is often thought of as a teenage dilemma, and while it is true that acne appears most often during the teenage years, it is arguably just as true that there are a growing number of individuals that suffer from adult acne. Adults in their twenties, all the way up to their fifties can still experience acne flare-ups. And adult acne can have just as many negative effects on a person as teenage acne. Possibly even more so, as the stress of career and family adds to the strain of living with an unsightly skin problem. Mental stress can be one of the major causes of acne in adults. It is not a surprise in the slightest that women are often more likely to suffer from adult acne than men, as it has been shown that women have much more stress in their day to day lifestyle, not to mention that they are prone to hormonal imbalances, especially during times such as their menstrual cycle and pregnancy. Just as in teens, hormones play an important factor in the onset and exacerbation of adult acne. The environmental factors that surround a person, paired with the individual's lifestyle can also play a huge role in the appearance of adult acne. An improper diet or behaviors such as smoking and drinking affect the skin's condition and resistance to acne, as well as other diseases. Prevention is the only obvious way to go when dealing with adult acne. A proper diet, paired with plenty of water and rest is a good start. Trying to relieve stress and maintaining proper skin care and hygiene can also help to prevent acne from occurring. But what about the pimples that you may already have? There are many treatments available for people who have adult acne. Anti-acne medications, certain skin care products, and even laser surgery are just a few of the many treatments available for acne on the market today. Visiting a qualified doctor or dermatologist is the only way to determine how severe your acne really is and to find the proper treament available for you.