Acne
Acne is a skin condition that occurs when your hair follicles become plugged with oil and dead
skin cells. It causes whiteheads, blackheads, or pimples. Acne is most common among teenagers, though it affects people of all ages.
Effective acne treatments are available, but acne can be persistent. The pimples and bumps heal slowly, and when one begins to go away, others seem to crop up.Depending on its severity, acne can cause emotional distress and scar the skin. The earlier you start treatment, the lower your risk of such problems.
Acne signs vary depending on the severity of your condition:
- Whiteheads (closed plugged pores)
- Blackheads (open plugged pores)
- Small red, tender bumps (papules)
- Pimples (pustules), which are papules with pus at their tips
- Large, solid, painful lumps under the skin (nodules)
- Painful, pus-filled lumps under the skin (cystic lesions)
- Acne usually appears on the face, forehead, chest, upper back and shoulders.
HOW TO DEAL: Toning and cleansing your face everyday is the first step toward clearing up your skin. You can reach for a complete skin care by Biogenique Labs Inc. Skin care products and health supplements can help decongest your pores and reduce the build-up of dead cells
Causes of acne :
- excess production of oil (sebum)
- bacteria
- hormones
- dead skin cells
- ingrown hairs
Types of acne :
Lets understand your acne type
Non inflammatory Acne :
- White heads
- Black heads
Non inflammatory Acne :
- blackheads
- whiteheads
- papules
- pustules
- nodules
- cysts
TREATMENT
There are a few self-care activities you can try at home to prevent pimples and clear up your acne. Home remedies for acne include:
- Cleaning your skin daily with a mild soap to remove excess oil and dirt shampooing your hair regularly and keeping it out of your face using makeup that’s water-based or labeled “noncomedogenic” (not pore-clogging) not squeezing or picking pimples, which spreads bacteria and excess oil not wearing hats or tight headbands not touching your face 1.1.1 Medication If self-care doesn’t help with your acne, a few over-the-counter acne medications are available.
Most of these medications contain ingredients that can help kill bacteria or reduce oil on your skin. These include: Benzoyl peroxide is present in many acne creams and gels. It’s used for drying out existing pimples and preventing new ones. Benzoyl peroxide also kills acne-causing bacteria. Sulfur is a natural ingredient with a distinctive smell that’s found in some lotions. Resorcinol is a less common ingredient used to remove dead skin cells. Salicylic acid is often used in soaps and acne washes. It helps prevent pores from getting plugged. Oral or topical antibiotics reduce inflammation and kill the bacteria that cause pimples. Typically, antibiotics are only used for a short time so that your body doesn’t build up a resistance and leave you prone to infections. Prescription topical creams such as retinoic acid or prescription- strength benzoyl peroxide is often stronger than over-the-counter treatments. They work to reduce oil production. Benzoyl peroxide serves as a bactericidal agent that prevents the resistance of acne-causing bacteria to antibioticsTrusted Source. It also has moderate comedone-destroying and anti-inflammatory properties. Women with hormonal acne may be treated with birth control pills or spironolactone. These medications regulate hormones that can cause acne through a decrease in oil production. Isotretinoin (Accutane) is a vitamin-A-based medication used to treat certain cases of severe nodular acne. It can cause serious side effects, and it’s only used when other treatments don’t work.
Prevention
- washing your face twice a day with an oil-free cleanser
- using an over-the-counter acne cream to remove excess oil
- avoiding makeup that contains oil
- removing makeup and cleaning your skin thoroughly before bed
- showering after exercising
- avoiding tight-fitting clothing
- eating a healthy diet with minimal refined sugars
- reducing stress
Natural ways to treat Acne
- Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil is extracted from the leaves of the tree Melaleuca alternifolia, which is native to Australia It’s well known for its ability to fight bacteria and reduce skin inflammation. Specifically, tea tree oil helps fight P. acnes and S. epidermidis, two types of bacteria that can cause pimples .One study found that 5% tea tree oil gel was almost four times more effective at reducing acne lesions and almost six times more effective at reducing acne severity than a placebo .In another study, a gel containing 5% tea tree oil was proven equally effective at reducing pimples as a lotion containing 5% benzoyl peroxide, a common acne medication .The tea tree oil treatment also resulted in fewer adverse effects, including dryness, irritation, and burning.It’s important to note that tea tree oil is very potent and can cause redness and irritation when applied directly to the skin. For this reason, it should be diluted with a carrier oil.According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, only a small amount of research has been conducted on the topical use of tea tree oil for health conditions, and a limited amount of research indicates that tea tree oil might be helpful for acne .
- Essential oils
In addition to tea tree oil, many other essential oils with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties can help clear up pimples quickly.A large scientific review found that essential oils of cinnamon, rose, lavender, and clove fight the acne-causing bacteria S. epidermidis and P. acnes Rosemary and lemongrass were also shown to inhibit P. acnes One study compared the acne-fighting abilities of clove- basil oil, 10% benzoyl peroxide, and a placebo. Both the 2% and 5% clove-basil oils were found to be more effective and faster at reducing pimples than benzoyl peroxide Another study found that a gel containing acetic acid, orange, and sweet basil essential oils resulted in a 75% increase in the healing rate of pimples . Like tea tree oil, these essential oils are very concentrated and can cause irritation if applied directly to the skin. Be sure to dilute all essential oils with a carrier oil, perform a test patch before regular use, and discontinue use should irritation develop. A wide variety of essential oils are available online, including clove oil