Acne - What Causes Acnes and How to Treat it

Navigation: Main page

 Print this page Submit articleComment article

Author: Kymberlyn Steel-Fannin

Acne - What Causes Acnes and How to Treat it

By Kymberlyn Steel-Fannin

The treatment of acne has become a two billion dollar a year industry. While some may find a minor breakout a mere inconvenience, some acne sufferers experience extreme emotional distress during breakouts. Why does acne leave some of us so anxious? Acne is not something that is easily concealed. And the face is the very first thing we see when we communicate with each other.

While the conversation might be about current events and world affairs, you can't help but wonder if the person you are speaking with is engaged by your intellect or mesmerized by the topography on your face. To make matters worse the myth of acne heightens our emotions. We have been lead to believe that acne is due to poor diet or inadequate hygiene. It is not enough to be embarrassed by appearance, now we must concern ourselves with the perception that we do not wash our face, and we eat too much junk food.

What Does Cause Acne?

Acne occurs during times of hormonal shifts. During these times, the body begins to over produce both oil and cells located within the sebaceous glands. Overproduction leads to clogging. Clogging leads to inflammation and bacteria growth, ultimately resulting in a puss filled follicle we call a zit.

How to Treat Acne?

You may have tried a variety of treatments with little if any success. While some treatments are exceptionally successful for other people, success is largely determined by your own chemistry and your resistance to various products. If you have been a consumer of acne products for a reasonable amount of time, your tolerance towards the ingredients of the product you use will increase over time. This renders the product less effective. Over the counter cleansers can be an effective treatment for mild cases of acne, but more severe cases may require antibiotics, or expensive laser treatment.

If you are using an over the counter product, look for a product which has benzyl peroxide, salicylic acid or a combination of both. Rotate your cleansing products every few weeks in order to preserve their effectiveness. When you begin a treatment regimen do it consistently and be patient. Enticed by claims of overnight acne cures, acne sufferers are discouraged when results are not immediate. It is important that you give your skin the opportunity to react to treatment. Depending on the severity of your condition and your body chemistry it could take weeks to begin seeing results.

Should you see a doctor?

Often acne can be effectively treated by non-prescription products, but if you have severe acne it may be a good idea to consult your family physician or a dermatologist. Acne can cause facial scarring and it is important to receive treatment before it causes permanent damage.