How To Win The Battle By Attacking Acne
Posted on Sep 06, 2009 under Kids And Teens |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.
When skin cells die off, they can mix with the oils of the skin to plug the pores. In mild cases of acne, these plugs appear as blackheads. In more severe case, the bacteria of the skin cause infection and the problem becomes worse.
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.
Acne that becomes infected can leave scars on any of the affected areas. Facial scaring may affect a person’s self esteem.
You can find many treatments for acne. Some are based on scientific study, while others are simply old wives tales. Products that contain benzyl peroxide have been shown effective for many teens. An antibacterial cleanser can also help to remove dead skin cells and bacteria to prevent further outbreaks.
For adults, benzyl peroxide is sometimes too drying to the skin. Adults have better results with products that contain salicylic acid.
Persons experiencing acne should avoid touching, picking or squeezing the already irritated skin. This can cause the problem 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.