Dealing with Acne
Acne is the most common skin disorder which predictably occurs first during the teenage. It is estimated that over 70% adolescents are affected by a recognisable form of acne.
A lot os research has been done on acne, but there still is no conclusive medical theory as to what really causes it. The visible acne in the form of blackheads and whiteheads is closely associated with hyper activity of the oil glands and congestion of the skin pores.
Seborrhea or excessive oiliness on the skin surface is the general precondition to the formation of acne. However, the what, how and why about seborrhea are not well established.
In reality, there is no treatment that cures acne. The cure lies in the preventive care, the do’s and don’ts that have to be followed.
The Most Common Features of Acne
Most people do not have any problem in recognising acne. But sometimes, there are a few other kinds of skin condition that resemble acne closely but are actually quite different.
In order to identify and estimate the acne condition in various stages, there are certain features to be examined.
1. Excessive oiliness on the skin.
2. Whiteheads which sometimes are inflamed spots.
3. Blackheads.
4. Large visible skin pores.
5. Little bumps under the skin(clusters of them)
The Role of Bacteria in the Formation of Acne
There are two main types of bacteria and a yeast type of fungus that are all over the skin surface. They are harmless and benign in normal skin. However, they become harmful bacteria on oily skin.
The harmful bacteria work like this – when blockages or congestion appear in the skin pores, the harmful bacteria thrive in thelow oxygen environment inside the glands and chemically change the triglycerides into fatty acids. Thereby, it causes the formation of whiteheads.
The Common Types of Acne
There are basically five types of acne, and they are:
Mild Acne (Juveenile Acne)
This is the most common acne condition which affects the teenagers great deal. So much so that the condition is commonly called teenage spots.
The skin examination reveals a lot of little papules and blackheads on the background of greasy skin.
This type of acne does not continue for long without a break. It may last a few months, disappear for some weeks and then start again.
The mild acne conditions is the easiest to treat. Mild acne can potentially turn into a severe form of acne, and the most likely reason for it is usually improper or inadequate skin care.
Scarring in mild acne is not common. Few pits remain after the spots have dried up.
Moderate Acne (Acne Vulgarias)
In about 10% cases suffering from mild acne, the condition worsens due to the prolonged existence of acne and severe oily skin condition.
The population and the concentration of whiteheads increase and a large number of papules develop.
The affected spots turn red due to the ruptured blood vessels.
Generally this type of acne improves in the late teens and early twenties. Scarring is minimal and spots clear up after some time.
Severe Acne (Chronic)
Only a very small proportion of people enter the state of severe or chronic acne.
The real difference between this and moderate acne is that the red acne spots are more in number, larger in size, infected and painful to touch.
The entire face, shoulders, back can be affected and infested with the acne spots. It usually takes much longer time to treat this condition and scarring occurs if the spots and pimples are picked.
Picker’s Acne
Some young women develop spots that are quite unnoticeable to our naked eye. When examined closely they look different from the usual acne pimples.
The central part of the spot is not like the tip of pimple but is covered by a scab or looks raw. This is because the spot has been picked and scratched frequently.
Even though these spots are not obvious, some women feel very uncomfortable and conscious about them.
Cosmetic and Fringe Acne
This occurs mainly on the forehead and is mostly due to excessive oil and grease, which clogs up the hair follicles.
Factors Aggravating Acne
Continual Touch and Picking
An on-going irritation, pressure applied, picking, wearing tight sweat bands and rubbing increase the acne and heighten the risk of scarring.
Cooking and Frying
Household women cooking heavy and deep fried food are exposed to flying grease or oil particles in the air and fumes. It can worsen their acne condition.
Hot and Humid Weather
Intense heat and humidity often lead to excessive sweating. This coupled with low evaporation of sweat irritates the acne condition.
Vitamin B12 Defficiency
A highly inflammatory form of acne is not uncommon amongst anaemic women who require frequent doses of Vitamin B12.
Iodine-rich Foods and Drugs
Spinach, toothpastes, asthma and cold remedies contain iodides, bromides and florides. Research shows they adversely affect the acne condition.
Hysterectomy and Menopause
In these conditions, the level of estrogen in women drops, resulting in an out of proportion dominance of androgen. Sometimes this results in an outbreak of acne and hairiness.
Use of Wrong Cosmetics
Unfortunately, some of the skin creams, make-up products contain derivates of fatty acids and oils which are potent acne-stimulants. The biggest culprits amongst the skin-care products are the vanishing creams which have high absorption rate.
Prolonged Stress and Anxiety
The acne condition is also worsened by stress. For example, students appearing for examination have to cope with a sudden outbreak of acne.
Treatment of Acne
Medical Treatment
Medical treatment is suggested only in cases of chronic or severe acne and should be taken from the dermatologist.
To outline the drug treatment, it aims chiefly to:
* Cut down the bacteria in the hair follicles and on the skin surface.
* Open the hair follicles by removl of the blackheads.
* Cut down the acne inflammations.
Local Drug TreatmentsThe local drug preparations are made of an active chemical compound (drug) and a vehicle or medium compound in which the drug is dissolved.
In recent years, Benzoyl Peroxide preparations available as gels and lotions have become very popular in the treatment of acne. Cream “Ultra Clearasil” is a very potent Benzoyl preparation. One of the main action points of Benzoyl Peroxide is to kill bacteria. It releases oxygen which helps in killing anerobic bacteria.
Usually one daily application is sufficient, but two may be recommended in case of stubborn acne. The acne condition improves in two to three weeks of continual application.
Benzoyl Peroxide can have one side-effect – it can excessively dry up the skin. Some women can be allergic to it. Which is why this drug treatment needs a careful administration.
The sulphur drug prepareations, available as creams, gels and lotions, are extremely effective in treating acne. Like Benzoyl Peroxide, sulphur is committed to killing bacteria. Sulphur is a disinfectant and used in skin treatments for eczema, etc.
In treating acne, sulphur drug preparations work in other ways too. It loosens and dislodges the blackheads from skin pores by causing the skin to peel.
The skin condition begins to improve within two to three weeks. There are no major side-effects. However, it is good to test whether the patient is allergic to sulphur or not.
Tetracycline usually has no side-effects and hence is the safest drug. However, in some uncommon cases, it causes bilousness, indigestion, vaginal thrush or rash. A precaution: tetracyclines are not recommended during pregnancies.
Note:Keep out of the sun when taking tetracycline – it causes photosensitivity.
Warning Watch for Acne-causing Chemicals
(On your Cosmetic and Make-up Product Labels)
* Isopropyl Isosterate
* Butyl Stereate
* Myristyl Myristate
* Isopropyl Palmitate
* Isocetyl Palmitate
* Decyl Oleate
* Isosteryl Neopentanoate
* Octyl Palmitate
* Octyl Stearate
* Iodoptopyl Lanolate
* Acetol Acetulan
* Amberate P
* Crude coal tar
* Lanosterin
* Laugogene
* Sterolan
* PG 2 Myristyl Propionate
* Acetrylated Lanolin
* Ethylated Lanolin
* D & C red dyes (common in blushers)
Home-made Cosmetics
Cleanser
Apply Milk of Magnesia. Leave on for 10 minutes. Rinse off.
Disencrusting Formula (Helps blackheads come out easily)
Dissolve a tsp.of Espom salts (Magnesium Sulphate) in a cup of hot water. Apply to the acne areas with cotton wool. A papaya-mint tea bag dissolved in a cup of hot water and applied on the acne areas also acts as a discencrusting lotion.
Excellent Toner
Add about 2 to 3 drops of Tr.of Benzoin to a mug of cold water. Rinse face with this. It is antibacterial.
Pack
To 2 tsp.of egg white, add 2 pods of crushed garlic and 1 tsp.of calamine. Leave on face for 20 minutes, then rinse off.
Moisturizer
250 ml. of rose water, 1/4 tsp. vinegar, 5 drops of glycerine, 2 drops of camphor.
Dryers of Pimples
Touch the pimples with spirit of camphor. Keep applying until the pimples dry up. It may “sting” but don’t worry. It will check the infection.
To Lighten Scars
Take 1 bunch of green grapes, moisten with water and sprinkle with 1 tbsp. alum and 1 tsp. salt. Wrap grapes in foil and bake in slow oven for 15 minutes. Squeeze the juice of grapes and cover face with the liquid, rinse off after 15 minutes with luke warm water.
Use an ice pack regularly. Wrap ice cubes in a bit of cloth or cotton and apply to the open pore areas. This helps diminish enlarged pores.
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