20 Facts about acne and its treatment

20 Facts about acne and its treatment 

Acne is the most common skin problem that affects both men and women.

Ugly to look at and painful in general, the outbreak of acne can be extremely de-motivating and have an adverse affect on the confidence of an individual. But acne can be nipped in the bud. However, even though nearly everyone gets pimples, very few understand what causes it or how to treat it. HMU expert and dermatologist Dr Kiran Lohia, MD explains that causes and treatment of acne.

What causes acne?

Acne is a skin condition that causes pimples, whiteheads, blackheads, and red inflamed patches of skin. Our skin has pores and each pore opens to a follicle, which contains a hair and an oil gland. The oil glands are connected to the pores through follicles and pimples grow when these follicles get blocked and infected.

This occurs by a simple process:

The oil released by the gland helps remove old skin cells and keeps your skin soft. When glands produce too much oil, the pores can become blocked and dirt, bacteria, and cells build up. The blockage is called a plug or a come done. If the top of the plug is white, it is called a whitehead and if the top of the plug is dark, it is referred to as a blackhead.

Once the plug occurs, bacteria called Propionibacterium Acnes starts to grow in the follicles.

The bacterium then sets off a cascade of inflammation. The plug becomes red and bigger and ultimately turns into a pimple.

When the inflammation doesn't stop, the pimple becomes even bigger and goes deeper into the skin, ultimately becoming a cyst. This is why acne should be treated as early as possible to prevent the formation of these deep cysts that can leave scars and marks.

Stress

Recently scientists have suggested that cells that produce the oily substance sebum have receptors for stress hormones. Sebum is a bad substance that mixes with dead skin cells and bacteria and in the process clogs up hair follicles, resulting in acne and pimples. When you are highly stressed, a lot more sebum or oily substance is formed, causing a lot more acne.

How to treat your acne

Change your routine
Changing your daily habits can go a long way in improving your complexion. Below we have listed changes that you can make to get glowing skin.

If you wear make-up, wear products that are oil-free or water-based. Choose products that are labelled as 'non-comedogenic', meaning that a dermatologist has certified that there are no ingredients that can cause pimples in the product.

Always remember to wash off your make-up at night. Otherwise it can clog your pores, resulting in even more pimples.

Try not to squeeze, scratch, pick, or rub pimples. Although it might be tempting to do this, it can lead to skin infections and scarring. Also, avoid touching your face with your hands or fingers.

Be healthy from the inside out. Eat lots of green vegetables and fruits and always remember to exercise.

Look for active ingredients

Many different ingredients or medications can treat acne. However, a doctor always delivers the gold standard of acne treatment so that acne can be treated before too many scars occur. So, remember to go to a dermatologist to get the best treatment for your pimples.

Many different ingredients or medications can treat acne. However, a doctor always delivers the gold standard of acne treatment so that acne can be treated before too many scars occur. So, remember to go to a dermatologist to get the best treatment for your pimples.

Salicylic acid

Salicylic Acid decreases oil secretion while also unclogging follicles to help get rid of your pimples. So, clean your skin twice daily with a cleanser containing 2% Salicylic Acid. Make sure this cleanser has a skin-safe pH to ensure that your skin stays soft and strong and look for a daily cream that contains at least 1% Salicylic Acid to ensure that you get double the effects from this ingredient.

Retinoids or vitamin A derivatives

Retinoids such as tretinoin, tazarotene and adapalene are very effective for treating Acne. They act by making newer skin cells rise up to the surface, thus exfoliating away older cells. This ultimately reduces pimples while also reducing post-acne scars. However, these retinoids can cause dryness, redness and irritation. Retinol and Retinyl Palmitate are slightly weaker versions of Retinoids, however in the right percentage, they are highly effective against Acne, without the side effects.

Sulfur

Many people believe they are allergic to sulfur, however this is a myth. Sulfur is a natural element that is present in every cell in your body. It is Sulfa drugs that can often cause an allergy. Sulfa drugs use a large molecule with many different elements in it, and it is this molecule that can cause an allergy in some people. So, remember sulfur is natural, sulfa is not. Sulfur is a highly effective and natural treatment for pimples. It acts on many different levels: it reduces oil secretion, it is anti-bacterial, it is anti-inflammatory and it is an exfoliating agent. That is why it is such an effective and time tested remedy for Acne. BioSulphur is an even better version of Sulfur, where the natural element Sulfur has been encapsulated in a skin-safe vehicle, making it gentler on the skin.

Benzoyl peroxide

This ingredient is highly effective in reducing bacterial activity. By eradicating the bacteria in the follicles, pimples stop developing, thereby reducing your pimples.

Multani mitti (Fuller's Earth)

Multani Mitti is called bentonite. It only works by reducing oil on the skin, but otherwise is not very effective for pimples.

Ayurveda treatment for acne:

Mix lodhra - from the lodh tree, dhanyaka - coriander and vacha - acorus calcmus with water and apply it to face. Leave the mixture on for about 20 minutes and wash it off with luke warm water.

Ayurveda treatment for acne

Apply a mixture of haridra/haldi - turmeric, chandana - sandalwood and water. Leave this mixture on your face until it dries and then wash it with warm water.

Consume one teaspoon of amla or Indian gooseberry powder, once in the morning and once again in the evening. Amla will help cleanse the system internally.

Make a mixture of neem, haldi, saffron, red sandalwood, tulsi and fuller's earth or clay-like material with milk. Spread this paste evenly across your skin.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes have beneficial properties that will reduce acne and reduce suntan. Prepare a mixture of ripe tomatoes and cucumber juice and apply it to on your face.

This mixture will benefit you in several ways:

- absorb excess oil

- tones skin

- fights bacteria to prevent acne

Aloe vera

Cut an aloe vera leaf and apply the gel on the surface of your skin to reduce acne. If you do not have an aloe vera plant, there are several aloe vera gel products available in the market.

Honey

Apply a paste of apple and honey to reduce pimples and acne. This mixture also makes your skin healthier and rejuvenates your skin
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