|
Aging
Skin
Acne
Eczema
Acne
Acne is a general term used to describe blackheads, whitehead,
pimples and deep lumps/cysts that occur on the face, neck,
chest, shoulders, back and in more severe cases, the upper arm
areas. Most teenagers experience some degree of acne; however,
adults can continue to suffer from acne throughout their adult
lives. Moderate to severe forms of acne can lead to permanent
scarring when left untreated.
Types of Acne
There are many different types of acne, such as papule, nodule
and pustule. These are words used to describe different types
of lesions. Acne therapy seeks to rid a person of the lesions
present and prevent the formation of new lesions. The type of
acne treatment will depend on the type of acne exhibited,
however, many of these treatments are in the form of acne
creams.
Acne Treatment
Acne treatments interfere with the process by which acne
develops. Acne is caused by androgen hormones that cause
sebaceous glands to grow and produce more sebum. At the same
time, changes in the skin lining the hair follicle to which
sebaceous glands are attached occurs. The skin cells of the
follicle lining shed faster and this increased sebum output
causes clogged pores. A bacteria, called P. acnes, invades the
clogged follicle and starts to rapidly multiply. The result is
one of the many forms that acne takes.
Acne treatments act in one, or a combination, of the following
ways:
It is important to note that
mild cases of acne can often be easily treated with over the
counter topical acne cream, such as those containing benzoyl
peroxide or salicylic acid.
A dermatologist should be
consulted prior to beginning any acne treatment. Often,
several treatments are prescribed at the same time, to address
the variety of causes of a person's acne.
The American Academy of
Dermatology has developed an excellent resource for information about
acne and skin
diseases. Excellent resources and research articles
on
skin conditions can be found online at the Archives of
Dermatology. |
