Acne is a skin condition that is common among teenagers but seen in adults, too. There are many types of acne - from the slightly irritating whiteheads and blackheads, to the embarrassing red zit, to pus-filled pimples and even painful, scary cysts. Most people develop some or several forms of acne at least once in their lifetime.
The Birth of the Pimple
Big or small, acne develop when the pores of the skin become clogged with sebum (oil) and dead skin cells that form an adherent plug. This basic blockage forms your whiteheads and blackheads. Whiteheads are solid blockages, while blackheads have enough openings to let air oxidize the melanin in the skin cells, turning them black. When bacteria are trapped inside the plug, they start multiplying and make the otherwise small bump appear red and salon equipment inflamed. These are your pimples and zits, and in more severe cases, cysts.
What Causes Acne?
Acne starts to appear during puberty because it is during this time that the body increases its production of hormones called androgens. These hormones cause the sebaceous glands to make more sebum, which makes the pores clog more easily. This is also the reason why adults taking steroids develop acne. Hormonal changes associated with pregnancy and menopause can also cause acne.
If your parents struggled with acne, chances are you'll have problems with acne too. It is your lifestyle choices, however, that play a bigger role in the appearance of acne. The food we eat, for example, can influence acne breakups. Studies have shown that eating rivet nuts manufacturer lots of simple carbohydrates and cow's milk can worsen acne. Chocolates, oil, and salt are also believed to cause acne breakouts, though this has not yet been proven conclusively. Poor skin hygiene can lead to the appearance of more pimples. Stress is another factor that can make your acne worse.
How Do You Treat Acne?
Acne treatments range from topical soaps, creams and gels, to oral antibiotics, acne vitamins, and hormone therapies, to more invasive physical or surgical treatments. Topical treatments may contain chemicals that break down and prevent pore blockages (tretinoin, isotretinoin, adapalene, salicyclic acid, azelaic acid) or go deep into skin to kill bacteria (benzoyl peroxide, sulfur, antibiotics), or both. Oral antibiotics kill and prevent acne-forming bacteria from thriving. Different acne vitamins control sebum production, boost the skin's natural defenses against skin bacteria, and helps skin repair and maintain itself. Hormone therapies control sebum production by regulating the androgens produced by the body. Physical and surgical methods involve manually removal of pore blockages, injections wholesale eyelets to reduce redness and inflammation, and/or the drainage of pus.
Prevention Is Still the Key
For millions of people worldwide, acne is a fact of life. To control acne, it is best to practice good hygiene, eat food rich in antioxidants, and reduce stress by sleeping well and getting regular exercise.
Karina V. Miranda is a writer for Acne-Vitamins.com, which offers natural clear skin products and a free guide to vitamins for acne. Visit us today to learn about the benefits of vitamin b5 acne treatment. This article may be republished provided that the author's information and all active links are left rivet nuts intact.