Acne: Causes, Risk Factors, & Treatment -Harshal

Causes, Risk Factors, & Treatment(benzoyl peroxide 2.5%)

What Is Acne?

http://www.acne.org/whatisacne.html

Your skin has tiny holes called pores that that can become blocked by oil, bacteria, and dirt. When this occurs, you may develop a pimple or “zit.”  acne is one of the most common skin problems in the United States. At any one time, between 40 and 50 million people have this condition. It can also cause emotional distress. Acne that appears on the face can impact self-esteem and, over time, may cause permanent scarring.

What Causes Acne?

Acne occurs when the pores on your skin become blocked with oil, dead skin, or bacteria. Each pore on your skin is the opening to a follicle. The follicle is made up of a hair and a sebaceous (oil) gland. The oil gland releases sebum (oil), which travels up the hair, out of the pore, and onto your skin. The sebum keeps your skin lubricated and soft. If you develop acne, this may be because of one or more problems in this lubrication process. These possible causes include:

• too much oil or sebum is being produced by the follicle
• dead skin cells are accumulating in the pore
• bacteria has built up in the pore
• hormonal imbalance, oily skin, monthly menstrual cycles and the systemic yeast condition candida.
• One of the skin’s primary functions is to remove some of the toxic and metabolic waste in the body through sweating. 
  If the body accumulates more toxins than the liver and kidneys can handle, the skin takes over. This is why some doctors refer to the skin as the “third kidney.”
  Thus, as the excessive amount of toxins leave the body through the skin, the normal pH of the skin changes. If the body is even slightly dehydrated and the pores become clogged, the imbalanced pH of the skin will allow bacteria to flourish. This is one of the main reasons why cleansing the skin is so important.

An overabundance of oil, a pore clogged by dead skin cells, and bacteria all contribute to the development of pimples. A zit appears when the bacteria grows in the clogged pore and the oil is unable to escape.

What Are the Risk Factors for Developing Acne?

Myths about what contributes to acne are quite common. Many people believe that foods such as chocolate or French fries will contribute to the development of acne. While there is no scientific support for these claims, there are certain risk factors that may put you at risk for developing acne. These include:

• hormonal changes caused by puberty or pregnancy
• certain medications such as birth control pills or corticosteroids
• a diet high in refined sugars or carbohydrates such as bread and chips

Young people are most at risk for developing acne during puberty. During this time, the body undergoes drastic hormonal changes. These hormones can trigger oil production, leading to an increased risk of acne. Hormonal acne related to puberty usually subsides when a teenager reaches adulthood.

What Are the Symptoms of Acne?

Acne can be found anywhere on your body. It most commonly develops on the face, back, neck, chest, and shoulders. If you have acne, you will typically notice pimples that are white or black in appearance. Both blackheads and whiteheads are known as comedones. Blackheads open at the surface of the skin giving them a black appearance. Whiteheads are closed just under the surface of the skin, giving them a white appearance. While whiteheads and blackheads are the most common types of acne, other lesions can occur. Inflammatory lesions are more likely to cause scarring of the skin and include the following:

• papules—small red, raised bumps caused by infected hair follicles
• pustules—small red pimples that have pus at their tips
• nodules—solid, painful lumps that are beneath the surface of the skin
• cysts—infections found beneath the skin that contain pus and are often painful

How Is Acne Diagnosed and Treated?

If you have symptoms of acne, your doctor will be able to confirm a diagnosis by examining your skin.

At-Home Care

You can use a number of self-care activities at home to prevent pimples and to clear up your acne. Home remedies for acne may include:

• remember. The more irritation the more acne. so dont scratch or apply anything that irritate)
• cleaning the skin daily with a mild soap to remove excess oil and dirt
• regularly shampooing your hair and keeping it out of your face(MY problem caught.I dont wash hair and thus a much amount of dandruff is causing this acne.So wash hair Harshal)
• not squeezing or picking pimples, as this spreads the bacteria and excess oil
• avoiding hats or tight headbands
• avoiding touching your face
• using makeup that is water-based or labeled as “noncomedogenic” (not pore-clogging)(DONT USE OIL base makeup. Acyually i never use makeup so its not an issue)
• Many dermatologists also recommend getting 15 minutes of sun exposure on the skin each day, at least seven to eight hours of sleep, and regular exercise.
  The bottom line is this: the more water you drink and the more raw fruits and vegetables you eat, the faster the skin will clear and heal.
• Some foods cause your blood sugar to rise quickly, triggering a boost ininsulin.
  Too much insulin in your bloodstream can trigger changes in your body that can lead to the growth of pore-clogging cells. It can also boost action in your oil glands.
• Stress increases glucocorticoid production, which can lead to abnormalities in skin structure and function. So get sleep enough.Get Some Exercise.Exercise helps cut stress, which may contribute to acne outbreak

Medication :-

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=73&v=9XnF8CfJhEc (how to treat with cream)

If self-care activities do not help with your acne, there are a number of over-the- counter acne medications that may be helpful. Most of these medications contain ingredients that can help kill bacteria or dry the skin. These active ingredients include:

• benzoyl peroxide(this is main cream.it must be in proportion of exact 2.5%(dont use 5%).Because more of this drug may cause excessive drying of skin and more irritation on skin): present in many acne creams and gels, used for drying out existing pimples and preventing new ones
• sulfur: a natural ingredient with a distinctive smell that is found in lotions, cleansers, and masks
• resorcinol: a less common ingredient that is used to remove dead skin cells
• salicylic acid: often contained in soaps and acne washes
  

• steps to follow(3 things required: cleanser, Benzomite peroxide cream, moisturiser)
  • see video above
  • find this 3 things in india in exact propotion
  • step 1 Gently wash problem areas with your bare hands for 10 seconds or less. This may seem different from what you’re used to but do not wash for longer than 10 seconds. Do not use a wash cloth or any other cleansing device, as they are far too irritating compared to bare hands.
  • step 2 Benzoyl Peroxide - 2.5%  and work up to 2 full pumps or a full thick finger's length.Carefully avoid the delicate area around the eyes. Do not rub. Just allow your fingers to glide over your skin, spreading it around and letting it absorb on its own. Applying this way may take a couple of minutes. If after 3 minutes, the benzoyl peroxide is not fully absorbed, allow the rest to absorb on its own.Wait 5-15 minutes for your skin to dry. Do not rinse off the benzoyl peroxide. Once it is applied, you will leave it on the skin.(just leave it forever. dont wash away it with water)
  • step 3 Allow your fingers to gently glide over the skin. This should take no longer than 3 minutes. If after 3 minutes, the moisturizer is not fully absorbed, allow the rest to absorb on its own.

How to get this Medicine in India?

• Benzac AC gel is available in 2.5% at price Rs. 67
• 
  

How to pop a pimple?

• Only pop when top surface become white. Never attempt on red surface. Because then after the failed attempt. it will further spread bacteria in surrounded area.
• use a niddle to pop. and to disinfect it is also necessory

Must watch video for instruction https://youtu.be/qGFTy_lqYe8

How Can Acne Be Prevented?

It’s difficult to prevent acne. However, you can take some steps at home to help prevent acne following treatment. These include:

• washing your face twice a day with an oil-free cleanser
• using an over-the-counter acne cream to remove excess oil
• avoiding makeup that contains oil
• cleaning the skin thoroughly before bed, including removing makeup
• showering after exercising
• avoiding tight-fitting clothing
•  Say 'Yes' to Sunscreen.You may hesitate to put sunscreen on your face because you've noticed that after a day in the sun, your complexion looks clear and breakout-free. But the inflammation from sunburn can make your acne worse or cause more dark spots. Plus, staying out in the sun without sunscreenraises your risk of skin cancer.
• De-Germ Your Cell Phone. Several studies have shown that cell phones are hotbeds for germs. Throughout any given day your phone can be exposed to thousands of bacteria, which spread from your fingers (via texting) to your face (via talking) and vice versa.