Acne
This article focuses on pimples, zits and acne, and covers the differences between these skin conditions, debunks some of the most common myths associated with them, and also covers the most common methods of treatment and offers suggestions for preventing acne and acne-related skin damage.
Most of us are plagued with some kind of skin condition at least once in our lives. It’s one of those things you just can’t escape. The most common skin conditions are pimples, zits and acne, which can affect people of all ages and lifestyles. These conditions can often be quite similar in appearance; however they have very different causes, such as diet and hormonal changes. While these conditions rarely become serious and are not life threatening, they’re not so good to look at, and having ongoing problems with acne or pimples can seriously damage self-esteem, particularly for young people. To prevent excessive scarring and the resulting psychological problems, getting treatment for severe acne is very important. There are a variety of different ways you can treat acne and pimples—through changes in diet and lifestyle, by seeking treatment from a dermatologist, and even by using home remedies or herbal treatments. There are also a number of measures that can be taken to reduce or eliminate acne and pimples, and to reduce the skin damage caused by the conditions.
There are several different types of pimples and acne, and each type has a distinct cause. If you have acne it’s important to identify what kind you have, so that you can get appropriate treatment.
The most common form of acne is called Acne Vulgaris, and this is what we know as pimples and zits. Both blackheads and whiteheads fall into this category, as well as papules and pustules. Whiteheads form when pores are completely blocked, and causes sebum (oil produced by the skin), bacteria and dead skin cells to become trapped in the pore. Whiteheads appear as small white lesions on the surface of the skin. Blackheads are similar, but in this case the pore is only partly blocked. The black appearance of the lesion is caused by a reaction between skin pigment and air. Blackheads typically take a long time to disappear.
Papules and pustules are the next stages in the “life cycle” of the pimple. A papule is an inflamed red bump that is often painful to touch. The inflammation is usually caused by a small-scale bacterial infection in the pore. These should never be squeezed, as this can cause scarring. The papule will typically progress to form a pustule—this is the typical pimple or zit, which is inflamed and appears as a red circular lesion with a yellow or white center. The white or yellow center is caused by a build-up of dead bacteria and the immune cells that have killed the bacteria. These can safely be popped if it is absolutely necessary; however it is wise to resist the temptation as much as possible.
Most of the more severe forms of acne are quite rare. However, they can cause severe scarring, and are often psychologically debilitating for the person who is affected. Unlike pimples, which can typically be safely treated at home, acne often requires specialized medical treatment from a dermatologist. The exact cause of most types of acne is unknown; however it is thought to be related to hormonal changes in the body.
Acne Roasacea usually affects people over the age of 30. This type of acne takes the form of a red rash over the cheeks, chin, nose and forehead, and may also include bumps and blemishes on the skin. This condition is more common in women, however when men are affected the condition is usually more severe. If you believe you are affected by this condition it is important to seek treatment from a dermatologist. If left untreated, this condition can cause swelling of the nose and other areas, as well as scarring of the skin.
Acne Conglobata is the most severe form of acne, and most commonly affects men between the ages of 18 and 30. This condition causes the formation of large legions and a proliferation of blackheads, and can cause severe scarring on the face as well as on the chest, back, upper arms, buttocks and thighs. Treatment from a dermatologist can help reduce the severity of lesions and scarring, however this condition is often resistant to treatment and can remain for several years.
Acne only affects your appearance—not necessarily. The scarring that is often the result of severe forms of acne can cause psychological suffering. Depression and low self-esteem are common problems for those affected by severe acne.
Acne is caused by poor diet or bad hygiene—in reality, there is no evidence to suggest that fatty or sugary foods cause acne and pimples. And while daily cleansing can help keep your skin healthy, severe acne is not caused by bad hygiene.
Only teenagers get acne—in fact, acne can affect both adults and very young children. While acne is less common in those over 25, it is not at all unusual to be affected by occasional bouts of acne in the 40s.
Using make-up causes acne¬—in some cases it might be more effective to wear less make-up if you have acne, however it is possible to safely wear make-up without causing acne by choosing products that do not contain additives such as perfumes. Use products that are labeled “nonacnegenic” or “noncomedogenic to prevent any possible problems.
Popping pimples only makes them worse—you can pop pimples safely and without spreading the infection around by taking some simple precautions and by being gentle with your skin. While it’s not a good idea to pop every pimple, you can pop the occasional one safely without risk of scarring if you really need to.
One of the most simple and effective ways of treating acne and pimples—and preventing them from returning—is in the way you wash the affected skin. For example, it’s important to use soap or facial cleanser that is free of dyes and perfumes—these additives can irritate your skin and make the condition worse. It’s also important to be gentle when washing your face and other affected areas—pat cleanser onto your skin with the fingertips and use gentle circular motions to clean the skin rather than rubbing and scrubbing.
You should cleanse your skin thoroughly twice a day, and apply a good moisturizer after each cleansing to prevent your skin from drying out. You should avoid cleansing more than twice a day, though—excessive washing can irritate your skin and cause more inflammation. It’s also important to avoid picking at, touching and rubbing your face during the day—this will only irritate your skin further. Try to avoid excessive sun exposure as well.
One of the most common myths associated with pimples and acne is that diet and stress can cause these skin conditions. This is not true— there is no scientific evidence to suggest that stress is a big factor, and eating oily or fatty foods will not cause pimples. However, eating a balanced diet does play a part in overall skin health.
As long as you do not have a severe form of acne, there are many home remedies and herbal products you can use that can help you clear up the problem.
A paste made of baking soda is an excellent exfoliating scrub. To make the paste, simply mix a small amount of baking soda with water. The paste should be massaged gently into the skin for no more than fifteen seconds and then rinsed off. Apply the paste to each of your problem areas individually and take care to rub very gently to prevent irritating the skin.
Another effective home remedy for pimples and zits is apple cider vinegar. Dilute one part vinegar in eight parts water, and apply to the skin with a cotton ball. Rinse the skin after ten minutes. Alternatively, substitute the vinegar for lemon or limejuice.
Tea tree oil is a natural antiseptic that should be applied topically to pimples and zits rather than to the entire face. This is most effective when applied to whiteheads, blackheads and papules—the oil will kill bacteria and help reduce inflammation and reduce the risk of scarring.
Depending on how bad your problem is, these simple home remedies will clear up your acne problems quite effectively. If, however, you have a severe form of acne that just won’t go away, it is important to seek professional medical advice from a general practitioner dermatologist.
To pop a pimple safely in a way that will not cause scarring, it is important to make sure the pimple is at the pustule stage. A small red area with a yellow or white interior characterizes this. Attempting to squeeze a pimple in any other stage is likely to lead to scarring.
Before starting, you should sterilize a needle (an ordinary sewing needle is fine) by dunking it in rubbing alcohol, and then lay it on a clean piece of cloth. Next, thoroughly wash your hands and cleanse your skin. Cleanse your face first, and then wash your hands in hot soapy water. Next, use the sterilized needle to prick the tip of the pimple. Using sterile gauze pads or a clean piece of tissue, apply pressure to the pimple and ease the white pus out of the skin. If the pimple is particularly large or you are having trouble easing the pus out, soak a clean washcloth in hot water then apply it to the surface of the skin. After five minutes or so, try squeezing again. If that doesn’t help, then it’s better to leave the pimple alone—attempting to squeeze a pimple repeatedly is more likely to lead to scarring. Once you have finished, wash your hands thoroughly using hot soapy water, to avoid spreading bacteria to other parts of your face.
Preventing acne scarring typically means following some simple precautions. There are also some over-the-counter products you can use which will help reduce the effects of scarring. However, if you have severe acne is it much more effective to seek medical advice both for treating your acne and reducing the scars caused by the condition. These products are most suitable for people with light to moderate acne problems.
The easiest way to reduce the risk of scarring is to leave your skin alone—cleanse and moisturize your skin twice a day, and avoid touching, rubbing or otherwise irritating your skin at all other times. Avoid popping pimples as much as possible.
Tea-tree oil can effectively reduce the inflammation and infection caused by whiteheads, blackheads and pimples, which mean that you also reduce the risk of scarring. This is a good way of helping to prevent existing pimples from causing scarring, but will not help reduce the severity of scars you already have.
Aloe Vera and Vitamin E creams can be applied to scars—these creams can both reduce the effects of scarring, and soothe irritated skin to help heal acne more quickly and prevent scarring from occurring. Both of these products can be purchased at drug stores, and a balanced diet will ensure that you get adequate levels of Vitamin E as well.
If you have a serious acne problem that just won’t go away, then it is usually best to seek help from a trained medical specialist, usually a dermatologist. The more severe forms of acne such as Acne Roasacea and Acne Conglobata can cause severe scarring, and should not be treated without advice from a dermatologist. Additionally, it is important to seek medical advice to ensure that you receive an accurate diagnosis and get treatment that is right for your specific condition.
To get medical treatment for acne, you may first want to speak with your general health practitioner and get a referral for a dermatologist. If you have health insurance, you may also want to contact your health insurance company to find out if you are covered for dermatological treatment and whether or not your company has a list of preferred medical providers.
When you get medical treatment from a dermatologist, you need to be diagnosed before treatment can begin. This may involve some simple tests, but more often all that is required is your medical history and observation of your skin condition. Your dermatologist may treat your acne with corticosteroid or Accutane, and may also recommend surgery to correct scarring. Note that having surgery to reduce scarring is only an option once the acne condition has been controlled.