Acne: What is it? What causes those unsightly blemishes we
all know as Teens, as ZITS !!! Those ugly skin irritations
that pop up when we start adolescence, and sometimes last into
our late 20's. Can you get rid of acne, or just control
it? How much scrubbing and cleaning do we need to do
to avoid those eruptions that cause us some much personal
anguish right before those important dates or
meetings?
Here is the skinny on acne and it's treatment. Acne is
basically cause from a combination of factors. As we start
to mature into teenagers, our hormones boost the development of
our sexual development. These same hormones also
cause glands to start over producing oils that naturally
keep the skin soft and pliable. The top surface of the skin, the
epidermis, is constantly shedding and flaking. When this
occurs, if dead skin doesn't flake away, then it can remain on
the surface to plug the openings of oil glands. These oil glands
then become stopped up, while they continue to make oils and
sebum.( sebum is a mixture of dead skin cells and oils that
appears white and cheesy. ) When this occurs, the gland starts
swelling and can become infected and irritated. Thus you
have the development of a ZIT !!! What make it
worse??? WHEN YOU SQUEEZE IT !!! When you squeeze an
acne blemish and it doesn't open up at the top or the skin where
you see the "white head" , then the infected oils and
sebum that are usually are contained in a small area are leaked
into the surrounding tissues, thus spreading the infection and
increasing the area that the ZIT takes up. NOW IT IS A
BIGGER ZIT !!! What is the take home message? Don't
apply to much direct pressure to a zit that doesn't simply
open up with gently wide pressure around it.
You don't get rid of acne, you control it. You
wash gently with a non irritating soap once a day, being careful
not to dry out the skin. If you dry the skin out too much
with soaps, or alcohol containing astringents, then the body
recognizes that the skin is too dry and it starts producing more
oils. Now your skin is on overproduction of oil.
More oil leads to more sebum, and more chance to plug
glands. Harsh rubbing of the skin when washing will also
stimulate glands to produce oils. Gentle circular motions when
washing is preferred. If you apply an medicated
acne cream or lotion is done once a day, preferably at
night. Washing in the morning can be done with warm
water and a soft cloth.
Some people with bad acne benefit from the addition of a
certain type of antibiotic during certain periods of
flare-ups. Most cases don't require this however.
A small group of people suffer from severe pustular
acne. They sometimes benefit from a dangerous drug called
Accutane. Careful monitoring by their doctor is required
when they take this drug.
Myths:
Chocolate causes zits. This is usually not true
unless your allergic to chocolate, and allergies to foods
usually present in different ways.
French Fries cause acne. This is not true
unless all you eat is French Fries. All foods should be
eaten in moderation.
Acne goes away after you teens. Not true,
many people need to control acne into their late twenties.
In some cases it even comes back in your forties and
fifties.
