The Causes and Treatments of Acne

If you''re interested in learning about the causes and treatments of acne, it''s a good idea to first learn what it is. Acne is considered as an inflammatory disease of the skin, which is caused by changes in the structure of the skin that consists of a hair follicle and the sebaceous gland that it is associated with.

One of the most common causes of acne is puberty. This is due to the fact that the hormones in the body are heightened, and acne is basically considered as being an abnormal response to normal levels of the male hormone testosterone. Even though this response tends to lessen for most people as time passes and the acne begins to disappear, for a number of people it doesn''t improve, and in these more severe cases, advanced treatment is generally recommended.

What is Acne Vulgaris?

The most common type of acne is clinically referred to as acne vulgaris. Most teenagers will eventually have to deal with this type of acne. Acne vulgaris is caused by an excessive secretion of oils from the sebaceous glands. This is in turn accompanied by the plugging of the pores with naturally occurring dead skin cells that block hair follicles causing an irritation to occur.

There are a number of different myths concerning acne, and although it is thought to be hereditary, there are some other factors that are known to have an impact on the potential development of acne. These factors include family history, hormonal activity such as menstrual cycles and puberty, stress, hyperactive sebaceous glands, skin irritation, and the development of bacteria in the skin pores.

How Is Acne Treated?

It is important to know and understand the different forms of acne treatments that are available on the market today. There are many products available and most have been found to be very effective for clearing up pimples and preventing further occurrences of breakouts. Successful treatments will usually work within the first week or two of use and for more serious forms of acne, different methods of treatment will generally be needed.

How Can Acne Breakouts Be Prevented?

In most cases, acne is unavoidable. However, there are preventative measures that you can take in an attempt to avoid a breakout from occurring. For example, eating a proper diet and avoiding foods that have high fat and sugar content will help to prevent acne. It has also been found that exercising on a regular basis can help to prevent acne outbreaks.

If you do develop acne, the first thing you may want to do is make an appointment with your doctor so that the condition can be properly diagnosed. Once the problem has been diagnosed, your doctor can help you on the right path of treatment. It is very important to deal with your acne as quickly and as appropriately as possible, so that it does not continue and wind up getting worse.

Brought to you as a courtesy from the Acne Skin Care Center, a member of the Acne Information network.