There is a condition of the skin that can affect many parts of the body called acne. The most prevalent areas that are affected include the face, chest, back and neck.
Acne is caused when pores of the skin become plugged with dead skin cells that mix with the oils of the skin. There is also a bacterial that lives in the oils of the skin, which can aggravate the problem.
Hormonal changes in the body seem to trigger acne. Therefore it is prevalent in teens, women at different parts of their menstrual cycle or during pregnancy or when starting or stopping birth control pills. This is sometimes known as pregnancy acne or hormone acne.
If the affected area becomes infected can leave permanent acne scarring. Facial scaring may affect a person’s self confidence.
There are many treatments recommended for acne. For teens, products containing benzyl peroxide are often effective at drying outbreaks and preventing more outbreaks from forming. Washing the face with a good antibacterial soap can also help to prevent further outbreaks of acne.
Adults should avoid using benzyl peroxide, and the preferred over the counter treatments for adults contain salicylic acid.
When you have an outbreak of acne, you should avoid squeezing, picking or touching the skin that is already irritated. This can cause the scaring to become even worse.
If over the counter products are not clearing up the acne problem, you should see your doctor or a dermatologist. They may decide to prescribe an antibiotic to be taken as directed. This will help to keep down possible infection and prevent further scaring.
It is not possible to prevent all outbreaks of acne. There are a few steps that can lessen your chance of permanent scars. Some teens may feel these steps are somewhat of a hassle, but they result will prevent lifelong scars.
Tags: acne, acne cause, acne causes, acne scar, acne scarring, acne scars, acne treatment
