What are the causes and treatments of pimples or acne?

Acne is a skin condition that takes a toll on someone’s confidence. It can appear in forms of blackheads, whiteheads, and pimples. While acne is common among teenagers, it can affect people regardless of age, and commonly appears on the face, forehead, shoulders, chest, and the upper back.
Different factors lead to the growth of acne, such as excessive oil production, bacteria, blockage of hair follicles due to dead skin cells and oil, and hormonal imbalance.
Acne commonly affects areas of the skin that contain the most sebaceous or oil glands, such as the face and the forehead. Hair follicles are then connected to these glands, making them prone to blockage.If a follicle wall bulges, it will result in a whitehead. However, if it remains open to the surface, then it will produce a blackhead.
Formation of Acne
It is called as such as its exterior appears dark, seemingly like dirt bunged into the pores. However, they are actually pores filled with oil and bacteria, that become brown to black upon exposure to air.On the other hand, pimples are red bumps that occur when a plugged hair follicle suffers from inflammation or bacterial infection. Such condition starts deep inside the hair follicles, and leads to lumps on the surface of the skin, often with a white core.
Aside from the given factors, other elements may spark or worsen acne.First among them is the hormone called Androgen.
Its production intensifies during the puberty stage, leading to the enlargement of the oil gland and overproduction of sebum. However, pregnant women and those who use oral contraceptives are also prone to hormonal imbalance that triggers and aggravates acne.
Studies also suggest that diet can worsen acne. Carbohydrate-brimmed foods, skim milk, bread, chips, and chocolate are known to augment the symptoms of acne.
Stress and certain medications, such as drugs containing lithium, testosterone, and corticosteroids, also aggravates acne growth.What’s good to know is that there are lots of home remedies you can do to prevent acne development, and clear up your skin. Such activities include:
  • washing your skin regularly with mild soap to clear away dirt and excess oil
  • using water-based or non-comedogenic make-up
  • refraining from picking or squeezing pimples as it spreads excess oil and bacteria
  • avoiding wearing tight headbands and hats
  • shampooing hair regularly
  • refraining from touching your face

If the given home remedies and prevention tips didn’t clear your acne, there is an array of medications you can purchase over-the-counter to help in fighting acne off.Those medications are not a cure per se but instead boasts ingredients that can lessen bacteria and oil build-up on your skin.

Such elements include salicylic acid that aid in preventing your pores from being bunged, resorcinol that effectively, and sulfur, which is a natural ingredient that helps lessen sebum production.But, the most commonly used ingredient is Benzoyl peroxide.

It effectively kills bacteria, dries out pimples, and prevents the development of newer ones. Today, it is present in most acne gels and ointments.However, if the given over-the-counter medications still won’t do the trick. It is advisable to seek help from a doctor.

They can prescribe different medications that can prevent both acne growth and scarring.Often, doctors let patients take topical or oral antibiotics that soothe inflammation and destroys pimple-causing bacteria. More potent Benzoyl peroxide and retinoic acid are also advised to lessen sebum production, preventing acne growth.More

Readings:
Acne (Wikipedia)
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