An overview of Acne

Acne is a skin condition that occurs when your hair follicles become plugged with oil, bacteria or dead skin cells. It causes whiteheads, blackheads or pimples.

Blackheads: Open bumps on the skin that fill with excess oil and dead skin. They look as if dirt has deposited in the bump, but the dark spots are actually caused by an irregular light reflection off the clogged follicle.

Whiteheads: Bumps that remain closed by oil and dead skin.

Papules: Small red or pink bumps that become inflamed.

Cysts: Pus-filled pimples. These can cause scars.

Fungal acne (pityrosporum folliculitis): This type occurs when an excess of yeast develops in the hair follicles. They can become itchy and inflamed.

Nodules: Solid pimples that are deep in your skin. They are large and painful.

Pustules: Pimples containing pus. They look like whiteheads surrounded by red rings. They can cause scarring if picked or scratched.

Acne is largely a hormonal condition that’s driven by androgen hormones, which typically become active during the teenage and young adult years. Sensitivity to these hormones — combined with surface bacteria on the skin and fatty acids within oil glands — can result in acne.

1. Excess oil (sebum) production

2. Hair follicles clogged by oil and dead skin cells

3.Bacteria

4. Inflammation

5. Hormonal changes. Androgens are hormones that increase in boys and girls during puberty and cause the sebaceous glands to enlarge and make more sebum. Hormone changes during midlife, particularly in women, can lead to breakouts too.

6. Certain medications. Examples include drugs containing corticosteroids, testosterone or lithium.

7. Diet. Studies indicate that consuming certain foods — including carbohydrate-rich foods, such as bread, bagels and chips — may worsen acne. Further study is needed to examine whether people with acne would benefit from following specific dietary restrictions.

8. Stress. Stress doesn't cause acne, but if you have acne already, stress may make it worse.

9. Using oily or greasy personal care products (like heavy lotions, creams or hair pomades and waxes) or working in an area where you routinely come in contact with grease (such as working at a restaurant where there are greasy food surfaces and frying oil).

1. Pimples

2. skin discoloration, including dark patches or spots (hyperpigmentation) and redness

3. swelling and inflammation

4. pain and tenderness when touched or not

It’s not always possible to completely prevent acne, but you can take certain steps at home to help lower your chances of getting pimples or acne breakouts.

1. Wash your face daily with an oil-free cleanser.

2.Take steps to reduce stress.

3. Eat a balanced diet, and stay hydrated.

4. Avoid tight-fitting hats, headbands, and clothing that covers breakout-prone areas.

5. Shower or wash your face after exercising.

6. Always remove makeup and cleanse your skin thoroughly before bed.

7. Avoid skin care and makeup products that contain oil.

8. Use water-based makeup or products labeled “noncomedogenic” — this means they’re less likely to clog your pores.

9. Try an OTC acne cleanser to help remove excess oil.

If you suspect you have acne, a good next step involves getting a diagnosis from a board-certified dermatologist.Learn how dermatologists can help identify and treat skin conditions.A dermatologist can make a diagnosis by examining your skin. They can help identify the types of lesions and their severity to develop a treatment plan that works for you.

If Mild

You can use over-the-counter (OTC) medicated creams, cleansers, and spot treatments to help address pimples as they pop up.

Common ingredients you’ll find in acne creams and gels include:

1. Benzoyl peroxide. This ingredient helps dry out existing pimples, prevents new ones from forming, and kills acne-causing bacteria.

2. Salicylic acid. This ingredient helps exfoliate your skin to prevent pores from getting clogged with acne-causing bacteria.

If Moderate

If you continue to experience symptoms after using OTC acne treatments for several weeks, you may want to consider reaching out for professional treatment.

A dermatologist or other healthcare professional can prescribe medications that may help reduce your symptoms and prevent scarring.

If you have moderate acne, a dermatologist may recommend:

1. prescription-strength benzoyl peroxide

2. antibiotics, like erythromycin or clindamycin

3. retinoids, such as retinol

If Severe

For severe acne, a dermatologist may recommend treatment that combines one or more of the following:

1. oral antibiotics

2. benzoyl peroxide

3. topical antibiotics

4. topical retinoids

Advance treatment

Your dermatologist may also recommend medical procedures to treat severe forms of acne and prevent scarring. These procedures work by removing damaged skin and reducing oil production. They include:

1. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) : PDT uses medication and a special light or laser to reduce oil production and bacteria. Other laser treatments can also help improve acne and scarring.

2. Dermabrasion : This type of exfoliation removes the top layers of your skin with a rotating brush. The procedure works best for treating acne scarring, not acne itself. Microdermabrasion is a milder treatment that helps remove dead skin cells.

3.Chemical peel : This treatment removes the top layers of your skin to reveal less damaged skin underneath. Chemical peels can improve mild acne scarring.

4. Cortisone injections : These injections can help reduce inflammation and speed healing. Cortisone is usually used along with other acne treatments, particularly for acne that involves large cysts.

You’ve probably come across any number of acne home remedies. But, as you might have already realized, these remedies don’t always work — some might even make acne worse.

1. Apply tea tree oil.

2. Apply aloe vera.

3. Use a honey mask.

4. Refresh your face with green tea.

5. Avoid touching your face.

6. Never squeeze or pick pimples. It makes scarring more likely, and it can also spread bacteria and excess oil.

It goes without saying that no one should judge or stigmatize you for having acne, but having acne can feel distressing and isolating, all the same.

No matter how uncomfortable it is to have this skin condition, it could help to remember that you’re not alone. Pretty much everyone will get a pimple at some point in life, and many people deal with different forms of acne well into adulthood.

The good news: Plenty of effective treatment options exist. With treatment, your acne may begin clearing up within a matter of weeks.

Getting treatment for acne sooner rather than later can also help prevent scarring. If you’ve already noticed some acne scars, a dermatologist can offer more guidance on treatments to help minimize the appearance of scarring.

Even with treatment, flare-ups can still happen. Persistent acne may require additional or long-term treatment. It’s always best to work with a dermatologist to find the most effective treatment for regular or severe acne breakouts.