Acne and its causes
Acne is a relatively prevalent skin condition affecting the oil glands and follicles. It is caused by excessive oil production, abnormal shedding of skin cells, and inflammation (swelling). Acne commonly appears on the face, back, chest, and upper arms. Blemishes can include blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, pustules (pimples filled with pus), and huge painful cysts.
What causes acne formation? Androgens, or male hormones, stimulate oil production. Clogged pores and burst follicles lead to irritation. Bacteria known as P. acnes exacerbates the inflammation. Rubbing or scratching the skin excessively, wearing tight garments that press the skin, and using oily makeup can all aggravate acne. As adults, our hormones go haywire. Our bodies undergo incredible changes on a monthly basis, including pregnancy, menstrual cycle and menopause. All of this oscillation can cause oil to accumulate and block pores. Stress makes matters worse by increasing oil production. Genetics is also an important factor.
Treatment
How do you treat acne? It depends on how serious it is.
Mild acne can be treated with drugstore medications like as benzoyl peroxide, which kills bacteria, and salicylic acid, which opens clogged pores. Begin with a small amount so your skin can adjust. If there is no improvement after 6-8 weeks, consult a dermatologist. They can prescribe stronger topicals and antibiotics to help clear it up.
Moderate acne require prescription treatments that include retinoids to help skin shed properly, antibiotics to reduce swelling, and azelaic acid, which is antibacterial and anti-inflammatory.
Severe acne1 that isn’t improving may necessitate oral antibiotics plus isotretinoin, a potent oral retinoid. Isotretinoin is only used for extremely persistent acne that has not responded to conventional therapies, due to its numerous side effects. Oral antibiotics treat inflammatory pimples but can cause antibiotic resistance. Retinoid creams work best since they target both blackheads and whiteheads.
Birth control tablets can treat hormonal acne in girls. Other treatments include steroid shots to immediately reduce cyst swelling, chemical peels to exfoliate the skin, and laser therapy to remove P. acnes germs.
Acne therapy typically takes weeks to months to provide results. Moderate to severe acne typically requires the use of many products. Following the schedule, applying the creams correctly, and being patient are critical for clearing up acne. Procedures such as laser treatments are also beneficial.
Daily Skincare Tips
Maintain a careful approach to your daily skin care. Scrubbing will irritate your skin even more! Use a gentle face wash particularly those with salicylic acid, to go into pores and break up oil every morning and night. Following cleansing, use an alcohol-free witch hazel toner to remove any remaining residue. And then apply an oil-free, non-comedogenic moisturizer.
Exfoliating a few times each week is necessary to remove dead skin cells and keep pores clear. Use a moderate scrub or chemical exfoliation using glycolic acid – just don’t overdo it!
Moisturizer is vital, even for acne-prone skin. Skipping it actually leads to generate more oil, which creates more breakouts. Use water-based moisturizers that are lightweight and non-clogging.
When a zit forms, treat it right away with benzoyl peroxide or tea tree oil to help it heal quickly. And don’t pick your zits; it’s tempting, but don’t do it! It causes additional redness and discomfort.
SPF is a must have, as the sun can exacerbate your acne. For acne-prone skin, a broad spectrum SPF of 30 or greater is adequate.
If none of these help consult a dermatologist. Prescription medications may significantly improve your stubborn adult acne.
Seeing results require patience and consistency. Most importantly, do not lose hope! Finding the best acne treatments may need some trial and error. However, if you persevere, you will be able to regain your clear skin. Just be patient and keep waging the good battle against those annoying pimples! You have got this!
