Understanding Acne: Causes, Cures & Myths

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For the Parents of Teens with Acne

Acne has affected all of us at one time or another. If you are a parent with teenage children you will be reminded of what a toll dealing with acne can have on their lives. Acne can affect your child’s self image as well as overall social life and in severe cases can lead to depression and withdrawal. You should let your teenager know that you are available and that you are willing to help him or her with their acne. Talking about your own experiences may help them relate and quite possibly, give them a broader perspective on the condition. Even if they don't want to talk about it, dealing with acne is one of their major concerns. Consequently, your teenager is trying everything he or she can to control the acne.

As adults, we know that acne will not last forever, that it will usually clear up in time if given attention and treated appropriately. Yet this is only a small comfort to teenagers who are currently suffering from embarrassment and discomfort from breakouts of acne. Talking with your teenager about acne can be difficult because they might be embarrassed by their appearance and would sooner just pretend it wasn’t an issue. The key is to be supportive and understanding. At the same time, parents must be more than moral support to their children. They need to be a source of information and advice about how to treat acne as well.

One of the most effective ways is to learn as much as possible about the various types of acne and how it can be treated. Simply doing this can go a long way in providing more effective guidance for your children when confronted with decisions related to their acne treatment. You will be able to help them in the selection of acne medications and perhaps determine whether or not it is an appropriate time to consult with a dermatologist.

Do not assume that just because you happened to have acne as a teen that you know everything about it. Things have changed since then. Advances in scientific research on acne related matters continually unearth new information. Also, new medications as well as new methods of acne treatment have been developed so that the most common acne conditions can be remedied quickly. Because there are such a variety of approaches, knowing what is available will aid you in deciding what the best option may be for your child.

Acne Myths

Many of the problems facing those who are trying to deal with acne are the pervasive sources of misinformation out there regarding the causes of acne. Despite the numerous valid sources of information on and about acne that are now available, these myths persist and are passed on by word-of-mouth to those unfortunate enough to suffer from the disease. Rather than finding solutions and treatments to alleviate the symptoms, problems are often compounded. Ill-advised treatments based off these myths can have less than effective results and can often do further damage in the case of severe acne.

In light of the influence that these myths can have on both understanding acne in general and the courses of treatment in particular, it would be wise to start with a quick overview of some of the more common myths that are out there, dispelling the misinformation with the truth about them. After this we can move on to the question of what the actual causes of acne might be.

Myth #1: Acne is caused by poor hygiene.

It doesn’t matter how often, how ritually, you scrub your face and other areas affected by acne; this has no bearing on either the status of current a breakout or the creation of new problems. In fact, this sort of rigorous regimen of washing and scrubbing can actually irritate skin and make the acne worse, not better. Though you may have heard so from well-meaning parents growing up or some other misinformed person, acne is not caused by poor hygiene. This doesn’t mean that hygiene isn’t important. In fact, good hygiene can help reduce the effects of acne if used in conjunction with acne treatment products. Rather than frequent, harsh washing, it is generally recommended that you wash your face twice to three times a day with mild soap and then pat it dry - don’t scrub dry.

Myth #2: Acne is caused by diet.

“Don’t eat chocolate, it will give you pimples!” “They say that eating greasy foods can give you zits.” Most of you have heard these and other similar statements before, right? What they are saying, in effect, is that what you eat can cause acne. But, what they are saying isn’t true. It is a myth, one of the more popular ones actually, about the causes of acne. Extensive scientific research has been conducted, searching for possible correlations between one’s diet and a possible cause of acne, and have not found anything conclusive.

However, each of us is different. Some people notice that breakouts are worse after eating certain foods - and the kinds of food differ with each person. For example, some people may notice breakouts after eating chocolate; while others have no effects with chocolate. Instead, they notice breakouts occurring after they drink too much coffee or caffeine. These are just examples but they might be worth heading. If there is some sort of food or drink that might be affecting your acne, then cut back and see if that helps.

Myth #3: Acne is caused by stress.

Stress is not a direct cause of acne but it is true that some types of stress can cause the body to produce a hormone called cortisol, which can irritate existing acne. Indirectly, some medication that we take to alleviate or control extreme stress or emotional problems like depression can be factors in the production of acne. In fact, some medicines have acne listed as a possible side effect.

Myth #4: Acne will go away on its own.

This is generally not true and acne needs treatment in order to be cleared up. With the selection of acne treatment products available today there is no reason not to investigate and find what has the best results for those concerned. In some cases, a dermatologist should be consulted and other forms of treatment can be pursued.

Myth #5: Tanning clears up skin.

In fact, this has the reverse effect. At first it may seem that the latest bake in the tanning bed or sunbathing has improved your complexion, but in fact the tan may only have masked or covered the acne. In reality, the sun can make the skin dry and irritated and this can lead to more breakouts. On another note, if you do tan, make sure that you are using a sunscreen that doesn’t contain oils and other chemicals that might clog up your pores and cause acne to get worse. (Look for noncomedogenic or nonacnegenic on the label.)

Myth #6: Popping Zits Will Make Them Go Away Faster

Again, though this seems true, it is another myth. Rather than speeding up the process of healing, this action actually prolongs the situation as popping the whitehead caused the bacteria inside to be pushed deeper into the skin, which allows more infection to grow, and ultimately leads to scarring.

Myth #7: Only Teenagers get acne.

The truth is that about 25% to 30% of all people between the ages 25- 44 have active acne. So the idea that acne is only a problem for teens is yet another myth.

After covering these myths, it is important to note, that these are not all of the myths that are out there, circulating in the popular health magazines and on the Internet. No, not by a long shot. There are dozens more where these came from. The reason for their inclusion in this book is to help you, the reader, understand that the topic of acne has grown more complicated as new sources of information, both good and bad, have become available and that one must be very careful about researching the topic and deciding what sources to trust.

Acne Treatments

What Are Acne Treatments?

Acne treatments develop through research on skin conditions and how acne affects people physically and psychologically. These factors are important when determining what makes an effective acne treatment.

Acne treatments serve to reduce or eliminate the effects of acne. Such treatments rely on the age and gender of the person as well as the type of acne the person has. For example, some acne treatments are designed at adolescents, whereas other acne treatments are targeted at adults. Acne treatments, then, are as varied and particular as the types of acne and people they serve to help.

What Do Acne Treatments Do And How Do They Work?

Acne treatments prevent or reverse the progressive damage caused by the invading elements of acne. They serve to improve physiological and psychological health and bring forth hope for a greater quality of life.

Below are some common acne treatments and preventatives:

• Vitamins A, B-2, B-3, E, and Zinc – Nutrients in certain foods, such as fish, dairy products, fruits, and green vegetables, improve circulation and reduce the cholesterol level in the blood to promote healthy skin and metabolize protein, sugar, and fat—increasing energy through healthy eating habits.


• Oral Contraceptives – These regulate a woman’s cycle and lower hormone production during periods. Combined with certain medication, these contraceptives curb hormone levels in pregnant women and control testosterone production brought on by menopause.


• Soap and shower — Cleansing washes out the heat and moisture trapped in skin. Scrubbing and picking at acne is inadvisable, as are alcohol- or oil-based chemicals that will further irritate skin.


• Medication — Benzoyl Peroxide, antibiotics, and other especially developed medications kill bacteria in the skin, unclog pores, reduce or prevent inflammation, stop or lower hormone production, and encourage skin renewal.


• Shaving materials — Warming the skin with water and lathering up prior to shaving reduce “shaving bumps” Using a new single-bladed razor and shaving downward rather than upward lessens irritation to the skin.


• Sunscreen and clothes — Clothes made of loose-fitting cotton, or a lycra-cotton blend, reduce skin irritation. Overexposure to the sun’s rays promotes clogged pores, and Sunscreen protects the skin. Because certain medications make the skin extra-sensitive to the sun, Sunscreen is even more important to control acne.


• Exercise — Exercise increases circulation and reduces stress levels. Dry, cotton-based, loose-fitting clothes are best to reduce sweat. Cosmetics are not advisable, as they clog the pores, especially when combined with sweat before showering. If acne persists, it is important to re-examine the workout routine.

When deciding which acne treatments to use, awareness of one’s own biology and particular acne condition is advisable. Consulting a doctor is always a good option for further insight and direction.

Adult Acne

Misconceptions And Realities Of Adult Acne

Although adolescent acne is more prevalent in the world, adult acne is on the rise. More than half of adult women and a quarter of adult men have acne and all the scars that go along with it. This includes adults over thirty years old and even those going through menopause.

But the effects are different with adult acne, to the extent that acne involving adults is a whole different form, or classification, in itself, separate from adolescent acne. This is due not only to the age of the people inflicted, but also to social experience and physical make up.

Socially, adults are typically more set in their ways than teens and know their niche in their community. The prospect of adult acne as a serious problem once seemed a far and unlikely consideration. Studies show, however, that more adults now realize that the problem of acne is real for them and that science and medicine recognize adult acne as a viable and clinical condition. Because of this, more adults come forward to address a problem that affects their health and their lives on a real-world level.

The psychological effects of adult acne are not easy to detect, but many adults feel the pressure nonetheless--from the physical effects. Due to aged skin, adult acne leaves permanent scars. Older skin loses collagen, a fibrous connective protein, and so scars brought on by adult acne tend to irreversibly damage tissue. This negatively affects adult self-esteem due to the severity. In this way, the damage caused by adult acne is more lasting and hurtful than adolescent acne.

Medical support is available to specifically target adult acne. Proactiv Solution® and oral contraceptives are common forms of medication used in the fight. Since there are more women affected by acne than men, it is understandable that oral contraceptives serve as a leading medication to combat adult acne. Still, this is by no means the extent of medical efforts and research, considering the side effects of birth control.

Adult acne is a growing concern that will undoubtedly never completely go away, but educated support and ongoing research continue to find ways of improving and sustaining the well-being and quality of life for many adults. Hopefully, as a result, many more adults are likely to come forward and share insights that contribute to the world’s understanding of the problem.

Acne Guide - A Review

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Contents include: the causes of acne; the basics of looking after your skin; scarring; diet; lifestyle; antibiotics; and treaments.

Check out John Dunne's Acne Guide for more information. You won't regret it!

Acne

What Is Acne?

Acne is a skin condition characterized by blemishes and bumps of various sizes and colors ranging from white (whiteheads), black (blackheads), red (pimples), and those filled with pus (cysts). For teens, acne begins at the onset of puberty (usually around twelve, but sometimes earlier and sometimes later) and affects 8 out of every 10 kids. It is a common and therefore normal occurrence in adolescence.

There are two main categories for acne: non-inflammatory and inflammatory.

• Non-inflammatory lesions (whiteheads and blackheads) are those which serve as clogs or "plugs" of oil, dead skin, and bacteria in the pores of the skin.


• Inflammatory lesions (swellings, cysts), on the other hand, are usually a deep red, filled with pus, firm and tender to the touch, painful, and can lead to scarring and infection. This kind of acne usually requires consulting the attention of a dermatologist (a doctor who specializes in skin conditions).

Teens having non-inflammatory acne should keep their skin clean so that their acne doesn’t reach the inflammatory stage.

What Causes Acne?

Acne is due to the build up of oils, dead skin, and bacteria in tiny holes in the skin, called hair follicles (or pores) containing sebaceous glands that create sebum, an oil that moistens the hair and skin. Whiteheads occur when hair follicles clog up, close, and/or bulge out from the skin. When pores, or hair follicles, stay open and grow dark on the surface, blackheads occur. Occasionally, this sebum, dead skin, and bacteria break through the wall of the inner pore and collect under the skin. Small, red infections called pimples result but can lead to more serious and painful infections called cysts. This is the inflammatory stage of acne requiring the attention of a doctor.

Why Does Acne Occur?

A common form of adolescent acne, known as acne vulgaris, appearing usually on the upper body, is due to hormone changes associated with the onset of puberty. When the sebaceous glands become overactive and create too much sebum due to hormone stimulation, the pores clog, causing either whiteheads or blackheads to show up on the skin.

Stress also creates acne. As stress increases (such as at test time or just before that scary first date), the sebaceous glands generate increased amounts of sebum and acne occurs.

Acne is somewhat predictable. Children who tend to get acne are those whose parents had acne during puberty. Fortunately, acne decreases as adolescents grow (although this isn’t always the case), and, with luck, becomes more manageable as teens enter young adulthood.

All About Acne

Learn all about acne, including adult acne, and the various types of acne medication and acne product that will be right for you, in a series of articles that will be published over the coming weeks.