Acne - Causes, prevention and treatment
There are so many acne treatments on the market today; it is
very easy to become confused. Every treatment claims to be the
next miracle cure for acne. The truth being, most treatments are
variations on a small number of effective approaches. One of the
most critical issues you must accept, is that there are a range
of different causes for acne, which in turn means there are a
number of different options that could be effective in treating
your condition. The key for an effective treatment starts with a
thorough understanding of the causes of acne.
One of the most common causes of acne is the overproduction of
oil (sebum) by the sebaceous glands under the skin. This oil
combines with the cells that are present within the lining of
these glands, resulting in clogged pores. These clogged pores
manifest themselves as blackheads or whiteheads, commonly found
on the face, neck and back.
What triggers this overproduction of sebum?
In truth nobody really knows, but it is clear from extensive
scientific research that some of the key factors include stress
levels, hormones, bacteria and the genetic make-up of the
individual.
Hormones stimulate certain glands within the skin to produce an
elevated level of oils. As I'm sure you'll remember from your
teenage years, hormone levels (and often acne outbreaks) are at
their highest during this period of our lives. There is clearly
a link between hormone production and increased levels of acne.
The most common bacteria found on our skins is known as
Propionibacterium acnes, and the latest research suggests that
those with extra high levels of sebum on their skin have a
similarly high level of this type of bacteria.
Despite the fact there is no permanent cure for acne, there are
a number of actions that you can take that will help prevent
acne from occurring, or effectively treat it when it does
appear. A thorough washing and cleansing routine is a key
requirement for preventing acne. This should be supported by the
use of an appropriate treatment for the areas of skin that are
most affected. Eating plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, and
drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day will really help.
Trying to reduce stress levels through exercise, meditation or
any other 'calming' activity will deliver positive results for
adult acne sufferers.
New treatments are being developed all the time, and as our
medical understanding of the disease improves, so will our
treatment regimes.