Acne Cause and Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

What is acne?

Millions of people are affected by acne. This common skin condition usually begins in adolescence when the oil glands enlarge and become inflamed. It is characterized by clogged pores that, when infected by bacteria, become pus-filled lesions. Typical acne appears in the oil-producing areas of the body- the face, chest and back, but also on the neck and upper arms.

Those who suffer from acne have to deal with congested pores, pustules and cysts, pimples, blackheads and whiteheads. While acne is not curable, it is treatable. Fortunately, there are many home acne remedies and medical treatments as well, which proved to have beneficial effects.

What exactly causes acne?

Acne occurs when the hair follicles become plugged with oil and dead skin cells. Causes of adult acne and teen acne may include the overproduction of sebum, bacteria, irregular shedding of dead skin cells, stress, hormonal changes, the administration of oral contraceptive pills, inflammation and even vitamin deficiency.

Exposure to industrial products like cutting oils may produce acne. Some medications may also cause or worsen acne, such as those containing oral or injected steroids, bromides, iodides, antidepressants, and lithium and anticonvulsant medications.

Although there is no surefire way to prevent acne, you can take some self-care measures. Clear skin is important to help reduce the possibility of acne, and acne scars. First of all, wash your skin once or twice a day. Use a mild cleansing bar or liquid to keep the skin clean. Buy skin products that are noncomedogenic or nonacnegenic.

Exfoliate your skin on a constant basis. There is a wide variety of mild scrubs to choose from. Opt for those that contain alpha or glycolic hydroxyl acids. Use an over-the-counter acne cream or gel to help dry excess oil.

Kill the bacteria using products based on benzyl peroxide, which is the most highly recommended ingredient in over-the-counter antibacterial cleansers. If you find that over-the-counter products aren't working for you, the best is to seek a doctor's advice. Keep in mind that the more you know about your specific form of acne, the more likely you are to find a treatment that works for you. For treatment to work it must interfere with what is causing the acne.

In severe cases of acne, microdermabrasion treatments, photodynamic therapy (PDT), radiofrequency therapy, chemical peels, laser therapy and light therapy improve the texture of the skin and reduce acne lesions. With acne laser treatment, the initial results are looking good. This form of therapy uses a high-energy, amplified light to vaporize the top layer of skin, allowing new skin to grow.

There are several types of laser therapy including diode laser treatment, pulsed light and heat energy therapy and blue light therapy.  Many patients who have undergone the procedure have been fairly happy with their results, at least in the short term.  As with any medical procedure, patients may experience certain complications such as hyper pigmentation, easy flushing, redness of the skin and tenderness. However, these complications are insignificant considering the beneficial effects of acne laser treatment.