Find Out What Really Causes Acne

All of the factors that affect acne are not completely understood. However the main cause of acne is well known. Excess production of an oily substance that helps keep the hair and skin soft is a prime ingredient. This oil is Sebum, during adolescence the amount of sebum produced by your body is greatly increased. This sebum when combined with naturally occurring dead skin cells can block hair follicles which then turn into an acne lesion.

Not only will this mixture block pores it also provides a growing environment for bacteria. It is the growth of bacterial that causes what is commonly called a pimple.

The male hormone testosterone is what causes your body to create excess sebum. Testosterone is produced by both males and females. During puberty the increase of testosterone causes the body to have an abnormal reaction which manifests itself with the excessive production of sebum. This excessive oil is commonly found on the facial skin, as well as back and shoulders. In most people the testosterone levels have normalized by the time they are 20 and any acne issues will clear up.

Recent studies seem to indicate that acne is at least partially hereditary. In many cases though it is not possible to determine why some people are susceptible to it and others are not. Other contributing factors can be; stress, diet, skin irritation, hormonal changes and some medications.

When it comes to diet skim milk seems to be a substantial contributing factor. Many people believe that chocolate, dark soft drinks and greasy foods will cause acne outbreaks. There is not statistical evidence supporting any of those beliefs. Acne can also be induced or aggravated by medications such as; lithium, barbiturates, anabolic steroids and androgens.

Recent studies of acne may have found another cause of acne, narrowing hair follicles. These narrower hair follicles can prevent dead skin cells from being expelled from the pore. These trapped skin cells then mix with sebum and bacteria on the skin to form the acne lesions. The are several different issues that can cause the narrowing of the hair follicle, excessive shedding of cells within the follicle, abnormal cell binding and water retention.

I is commonly believed that you should squeeze a pimple to remove the blocking sebum as well as the bacteria. This can actually make the problem worse by spreading the bacteria to other areas of your skin as well as possibly causing scarring. This scarring if severe enough can be permanent.

In reality touching the area that has acne can actually make it worse as you transfer some of the oil from your hands to an area that already has excessive skin oil. Your hands can also carry bacteria which will aid in the spread of the acne.

Your hair can also exacerbate the acne problem by adding oil to areas it touches. It is important to keep your hair clean so it will not contribute to the problems. You should also try to avoid wearing hats and sweatbands as they will help trap the skin oils and just cause more problems.

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What Is Acne?

Acne is commonly known as pimples, it is a skin condition that commonly afflicts people during their teenage years. Acne pre-dominantly affects the face but can also show up on the back, neck, shoulders and chest. While most common in teenagers it can appear on adults as well. Neither race or gender is an indicator of acne as it affects male and female and all races equally.

The medical term for it is Acne Vulgaris. It can be diagnosed by the lesions that form on the skin. These lesions can take several different forms: blackheads, whiteheads and cysts. Cysts are formed when the pore becomes completely blocked. Acne is most common during puberty because at this time your body is creating an excess of sebum. Sebum is an oily substance designed to keep the hair and skin soft and lubricated. During puberty the production of sebum is greatly increased which can cause the skin to feel oily and clog pores.

During puberty there is also an increase in the production of follicle cells. Dead follicle cells mixed with sebum can build up and cause white heads. This mix of oil and dead cells is a perfect breeding ground for bacterial which will cause the swelling and redness associated with pimples.

Acne affects about 85% of all people sometime from the age of 12-24. Around 25% of these people will have acne on their back and/or neck as well as the face. The acne will be severe enough to cause about 40% of these people to seek medical treatment.

Acne is most common on the face, especially on the forehead, nose and chin. The back is the next most common area of affliction followed by the neck, chest and shoulders.

Most people will have outgrown their acne problems by the time they reach their twenty's, but some people will continue to suffer from acne even as adults. In some cases people will not have any acne issues until they are adults, this happens more frequently in men than women.

Acne can have severe emotional and psychological repercussions. Since it affects their appearance it also affects their self image and self esteem. Teenagers are especially vulnerable to this attack on their self-confidence and can even trigger withdraw and depression, as well as feelings of anger and frustration.

Fortunately in this day and age there are many treatments that can help with acne. The foremost thing that can be done to help avoid or alleviate acne is to keep the skin as clean and oil free as possible. Washing the most common problem areas several times a day with soap and water, especially after any activity that triggers perspiration, is usually adequate. There are also many medications available by prescription and over the counter to help with acne control.

If the acne is severe enough you can consult a dermatologist, they can prescribe medications for the skin as well as antibiotics to help fight the bacteria. They can also offer advise on life style and diet changes that might help with the condition.

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Understanding Acne Treatments

Acne is one of the most common skin problems affecting people around the world. At some point in their life, nearly everyone will battle problematic pimples that leave them feeling embarrassed, socially unacceptable or even depressed about their appearance. Acne, however, is only on the surface and a healthier skin is just waiting to be discovered underneath.

Acne treatments are one of the most effective ways to treat breakouts. When combined with a few natural home remedies, your skin can be on its way to a healthier and happier appearance. Cleansing your face at least twice each day, including both morning and night, will help to remove any buildup from your skin. Many acne sufferers may not realize this, but certain soaps may actually irritate the skin and add even more redness. Some commercial soaps have harsh ingredients that are thought to strip the skin of its natural moisture and, in some cases, may even cause mild to moderate itching. A moisturizing soap is a popular alternative and some even enjoy handmade soap products for the ultimate in skin care.

When most people begin to notice regular acne breakouts, they tend to stop by the local retail store in search of an affordable and effective treatment. While over-the-counter acne products can be just as effective as expensive prescription-only acne treatments, your search will be more successful if you focus on your individual problem and less on a product that guarantees immediate results. The truth is that your acne problem did not appear overnight and any product that promises to cure it as quickly is probably more than a little ambitious. Some popular over-the-counter acne treatments, such as Clearpores, DermaCleanse, and ProActiv offer 3-step programs with realistic expectations and do not require a doctor's prescription. Results in any form take time to appear and all acne products should be purchased with that in mind.

If and when acne fails to respond to conventional over-the-counter acne treatments, medical intervention may be needed. This is especially true with severe cases, which sometimes cannot be treated without prescription medication. Accutane is one of the possible acne treatments available to sufferers who have exhausted all other efforts to treat their breakouts. Although it has the potential for dangerous side effects, over two million users have tried Accutane and many have seen results where other acne products had otherwise failed. Because Accutane is available by prescription only, a physician can best explain both the benefits and risks associated with this 4-6 month aggressive treatment.

Whether you have an occasional acne breakout or are suffering with a constant discomfort, never disrupt the problem area by scratching, squeezing or aggravating your acne. Each of these actions may lead to infection or, at the very least, can worsen the redness and discomfort associated with acne. Caring for your skin properly and knowing when to seek medical help will result in healthier skin and a confident smile.

The information contained in this article is designed to be used for reference purposes only. It should not be used in place of professional medical advice or recommendations relating to the use of acne products and/or acne treatments. If you believe that you have a problem with acne that requires medical attention, consult a physician or dermatologist for a professional evaluation and recommended treatment program.

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Brian Dolezal is a contributing editor for TopConsumerReviews.com. TopConsumerReviews.com is a leading provider of independent reviews and rankings for hundreds of consumer products. Find out how top acne treatments compare by visiting TopConsumerReviews.com today.

Acne Home Treatment - How to Stop Acne the Natural Way

Acne is such a terrible problem that many people would pay anything to get rid of it. Those who sell acne products know that and offer you hundreds of creams, cleansers and other treatments to cure acne. They don't want you to know a little secret - you can treat acne at home and get same results without paying a dime. Here are some very simple but effective acne home treatments that can help you say good buy to acne.

What causes acne?

Usually, acne affects people with oily skin. Scientists are still not sure what exactly causes acne; some say it is genetic, and others argue that acne is caused by hormonal changes in a teenage body. Whatever the cause of excessive oil production is, the result is clogged pores and infection. So pimples, blackheads and whiteheads appear on your face.

Also, doctors suggest that deficiency of certain vitamins, mostly Vitamin C, Vitamin A and Pantothenic Acid can lead to acne. If your body doesn't get these vitamins for a long time this greatly affects your skin, making it look dull and causing acne.

Vitamins for home acne treatment

On the other hand, increase of certain vitamins, helps to combat acne. For example Vitamin E and Vitamin B5 are traditionally considered a good acne treatment. Vitamin A is also used to cure acne. So you first step to acne home treatment would be to make sure you get enough vitamins. Fresh fruits and vegetables are a good source of all vitamins. You can also take a multivitamin every morning.

Effective home acne treatments

Best home acne remedies are:
- Lemon
- Garlic
- Papaya

Cleansing your skin is very important in fighting acne. Some people think that acne is caused by dirt and poor hygiene. This is not true. However, you will need to get rid of excessive oil and bacteria on your skin. One way to do this is to buy an acne cleanser. Another way is to use lemon. Lemon cleanses your skin and provides it with Vitamin C. Just rub a piece of lemon on your face before going to bed and wash it off in the morning.

Another excellent homemade acne treatment is garlic. Apparently garlic is not only good against vampires, but against acne as well. Cut a garlic clove and apply juice directly on acne affected aria. After a few times of garlic treatment acne will disappear.

Papaya fruit is a great natural acne remedy, and unlike garlic it smells pleasantly. Mash some papaya and make a facial mask from the paste. Remove it in 10-15 minutes with a wet cloth. Papaya cures acne and also helps prevent future outbreaks.

Acne home treatment can be very effective and work as good or even better, than acne products you have to pay for. The key here is persistence. Don't expect your acne to disappear from one application of lemon or a papaya mask. Homemade treatments usually take about a week to work. But they are safe, natural and don't cost you much.

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Find more suggestions for Acne Natural Cure and Home Treatments at Acne Medicine and Treatment Guide We supply information about acne treatments, products and medications, as well as homemade and natural acne remedies.