Acne
Acne is caused initially by the oil glands of the skin becoming blocked by skin cells, bacteria, and oil (sebum). At puberty, the oil glands in the skin start producing an oily material called sebum. Sebum is discharged onto the skin's surface. Sometimes the wall of the oil gland gets blocked, breaks and spills the sebum within the skin. The sebum irritates the skin tissues and causes redness, swelling, and pus-in other words, a blemish.
Oil glands may become plugged and form blackheads and whiteheads. Blackheads are not caused by dirt. Removing blackheads will not prevent pimples. Blackheads and whiteheads are more than a nuisance and should be treated because unpredictably acne can worsen and occasionally cause scarring which is very difficult to treat.
In mild acne, only a few oil glands break open; in severe acne, many do. How easily oil glands do this seems to be "built into" you. Acne runs in families. It's impossible to prevent acne, since there's no way of changing your oil glands.
Age and Acne
Acne usually begins mildly in the teens, gradually worsens, and then after a time improves. Sometimes acne does not begin till later in life (eg. your thirties). How long you will have acne is impossible to predict. Acne gets worse and improves by itself. Acne will go through stages, but proper treatment will improve it faster and hopefully prevent scarring. Preventing acne scarring is one of the most important goals of treatment because once it occurs it is extremely difficult if not impossible to correct.
Skin Hygiene
Dirt does not cause acne, despite what you may have been told. The oil on the skin's surface does no harm. Special soaps, astringents, exfolliants, and acne cleansers are only part of a more complete acne regimen.
Gently wash your face with a mild soap or cleanser only as much as you need to keep it clean. Too much washing and scrubbing can cause skin irritation and actually exacerbate acne. Cleanliness may be next to godliness, but it doesn't help acne. Although picking or squeezing is not great for your face most of the population does it including dermatologists… If you do it, do it GENTLY and if nothing happens leave the area alone. Harsh picking or squeezing can cause marks that last for months or even scars.
Diet and Acne
Foods do not cause acne. Many persons try all sorts of diets and are frustrated because they don't help. This said, if you find an association between acne breakouts and a certain food, avoid that food. Acne has ups and downs of its own; make sure that the worsening isn't just a coincidence. If certain foods definitely worsen your acne, avoid them.
Nerves and Acne
Acne is not caused by nerves, but may become worse under stress such as examinations or pressure at work. These are usually mild, temporary flare-ups. Some persons react to stress by picking, squeezing, or rubbing their pimples, and this can make their acne worse.
Treating Acne
Without treatment most people will outgrow their acne, although this can take years. Ramifications of untreated acne include physical scarring and psychological self esteem issues, especially in teenagers. Both of these can affect people for the rest of their lives.
Topical Medicines
There are many different topical medicines used for acne including over the counter treatments and prescription treatments. These include antibacterial products (eg. Benzoyl peroxide, azelaic acid), as well as antibiotics (eg. clindamycin, dapsone, sulfa products), as well as topical retinoids (Retin A micro, Differin, Tazorac), as well as combination products (containing usually two products mixed together). These can be extremely effective as stand alone products or as combination products with oral antibiotics. They can be irritating and not able to be used in some people and in the case of retinoids are frequently irritating initially and then gotten used to over time. It is important to remember that depending on the product it can take six to twelve weeks to be effective.
Antibiotics
Tetracycline and its derivatives doxycycline and minocycline are among the most common antibiotics used in treating acne. Sometimes it's necessary to try several different antibiotics, or a combination, before acne is controlled. Acne can go into remission after a course of treatment but it is very common for acne to respond to these medications and fairly quickly recur after they are discontinued. These generally take about six weeks to be effective for the face and longer for the trunk. It is not uncommon for an individual to fail with one antibiotic but respond to a different one.
Tetracycline should be taken with a full glass of water on an empty stomach since food, especially milk and dairy products, interferes with its action. Doxycycline needs to be taken with food and minocycline can be taken with or without food. These antibiotics are remarkably safe and have been used for decades. If you notice that you're sun burning faster than usual, protect your skin with a sunscreen or clothing. Sun sensitivity (especially with doxycycline) is a problem mainly in the spring or summer, and when skiing. Women occasionally develop an annoying itch and vaginal discharge. This can happen with any antibiotic. If it occurs, continue your medication and telephone the office to arrange for treatment.
Accutane
ccutane is a vitamin A derivative that has been used to treat acne since the mid 1970s. In the correct patient and under very close medical supervision it is a very safe product that in the overwhelming