Acne Prone Skin – A Trauma for All Ages

Acne Vulgaris is a skin condition that occurs on face, chest, shoulders & back. Acne usually results in pimples, Cysts, blackheads & whiteheads. It affects people of all age groups, but acne prone skin is most common among teens due to hormonal changes. Mild Acne can be treated using over-the-counter medicines & creams, but if it gets severe, you must consult a dermatologist. Acne Symptoms – Acne prone skin shows the following symptoms, the extent of which depends upon its severity: • Blackheads & whiteheads • Papules & pimples • Nodules or Lumps beneath the surface of the skin that can be painful • Cystic Lesions Nodules & Cysts confirm the presence of aggravated Acne. Types of Acne – 1) Mild Acne – If you have less than 20 blackheads or whiteheads, less than 15 bumps, & less than 30 lesions, your Acne is considered mild. Mild Acne can be treated using medicines & it takes 2 months to see a significant difference. 2) Moderate Acne – 20-100 blackheads or whiteheads, 15-20 bumps, 30-125 lesions indicate the presence of moderately severe Acne. Dermatologists prescribed medicines are used to treat this type of Acne which takes several weeks to show significant improvement. When taking medication for moderate Acne, your Acne condition tends to get worse, and then gets better with time. 3) Severe Nodulocystic Acne – This type of Acne results in the occurrence of several Cysts & Nodules that cause inflammation & leave scars on the skin. Dermatologists usually inject corticosteroids into these Nodules & Cysts to reduce their size & the burning sensation. 4) Acne Conglobata – Acne Conglobata is a severe form of Acne that even gets to the inner surface of the skin. It can affect the buttocks, chest, arms & neck. It occurs most commonly among men & consulting a dermatologist on time is important to keep the condition from aggravating. 5) Acne Mechanica – This type of Acne is common among athletes & is caused by wearing uncomfortable sports gear such as helmets. Pressure, heat & friction against the skin cause Acne mechanics. It can be prevented by maintaining body hygiene & keeping sweat absorbent material under the gear. Acne Causes – A variety of factors are responsible for the development of Acne:- 1) Hormones – Increase in the levels of hormones in the body causes Acne, which is why it is common during puberty. 2) Genetic – Acne is a condition that can, unfortunately, be inherited from parents. 3) Stress – Stress, both mental & physical can cause hormonal imbalance which results in Acne. 4) Vitamin Deficiency – Lack of Vitamin A, C, D & E in the body weakens the skin’s repair mechanism which makes the skin vulnerable to Acne. 5) Diet – Lack of Zinc, Anti-Oxidants & Omega-3 plays its part in initiating Acne. Treatment – Acne treatment can be put under the following 3 categories:- 1) Topical Therapy – Topical Therapy is mostly used to treat mild Acne. It includes creams, antiseptic washes & gels that can be directly applied to the Acne affected area. Some agents that are used in this therapy are Acnex, Desquam-X wash, Vanoxide-HC, Atralin, etc. 2) Systemic Therapy – Systemic therapy includes oral medication. This therapy is used to treat moderate & severe Acne. Some drugs prescribed in this therapy are Isotretinoin & antibiotic pills like Tetracycline. These drugs may be used along with Topical agents. Other Treatment methods – 1) Laser Therapy – In this method, the Acne affected skin is subjected to laser light. Laser light helps reduce the number of bacteria on the skin which is responsible for causing Acne. 2) Draining & Extraction – In this procedure, elements of Cysts, that is, dirt, pus & dead skin are removed manually to fight the infection. To prevent scars & to speed up the healing process, antibiotics or steroids are injected into the cysts. 3) Chemical Peeling & Microdermabrasion – Using these 2 methods, the top layer of skin is peeled off which takes with it the blackheads & whiteheads. Treatment during Pregnancy – Acne treatment methods are different for pregnant women. The drugs mentioned above can harm the fetus if used by pregnant women. Isotretinoin can cause birth defects & Tetracycline can discolor the teeth of babies. The Acne drugs that are prescribed by doctors to pregnant women usually contain Benzoyl Peroxide. Home Remedies – The following home remedies & lifestyle changes can help fight & keep away acne if you have Acne prone skin:- - Eating healthy food (include mushrooms, citrus fruits & leafy vegetables in your diet) & drinking an adequate amount of water - Protecting skin from exposure to the sun by reducing sun exposure & applying sunscreen lotion when outdoors - Wash your face with warm water & soap twice a day. This helps keep the skin clean & oil-free. - Keep a check on your stress levels