How important is a balanced diet in the prevention of acne.
This article highlights the significance of the different vitamins in diet to avoid the occurrence of acne.
It gives the sources of vitamins found in food and the right doses to be taken in a day.
Are you tired of using ointments and medicines, which are ineffective for treating your acne?
If you are looking for natural methods of treatment of acne scars, here is a detailed treatment of the various home remedies you can use for the treatment of acne scars.
Various myths abound regarding acne. For myths surrounding acne this article is an in-depth study.
It dispels these myths with the actual truth behind these myths.
Adolescent
acne and Adult acne
While doctors are still not sure what the exact role of sebum is in our
intricate secretion systems, it is generally accepted that it protects
our skin from bacteria and fungi. Sebum has a lipid film that prevents
water loss from our skins surface. The sebaceous glands in the skin are
under the control of hormones called androgens. Testosterone and DHEA
(dehydroepi androsterone) are the 2 androgens responsible for adolescent
acne.
A teenagers' sebaceous glands become more responsive (hyper sensitive)
to the androgens circulating in the blood. This is why adolescent skin
in contrast to adult skin becomes greasier. In patients with late-onset
or adult acne, the level of these male sex hormones or androgens may increase.
The level of these hormones in adolescents is normal even though it causes
acne.
Adolescence and the development of oily skin provide an attractive environment
for the bacteria, P.acnes. It populates the androgen-stimulated follicles,
where the oxygen percentage is low. At these sites the bacterium produces
enzymes that destroy the proteins in the skin. All these changes cause
inflammation at the sites of comedones.
Adult onset acne might be associated with diseases of organs like ovaries,
adrenal glands or the thyroid gland. If such pathology exists then women
have complaints relating to their menstrual cycle. The menstrual cycle
is usually normal in people withadolescent acne. Adolescent acne in most
cases, resolves completely without any sequelae. Adult acne often leaves
behind extensive scarring and pigmentation of the skin.
Both adult and adolescent acne may be managed or treated in similar ways.
A good dermatologist will always target the causative factors in the adult-type
acne. Usually, a change in lifestyle is the order of the day. Since stress
is a major factor that causes acne, various relaxation techniques such
as yoga may be practiced to overcome this problem. It is also a good idea
to quit smoking. A quick consultation with your doctor will rule out disorders
of the ovaries and adrenals. To reiterate, adult acne does not respond
to treatment as well as adolescent acne unless the underlying causes are
eliminated.
Unless the lesions are severe, like nodulocystic acne, adolescent acne
shows excellent response to medication. They are almost cured with oral
antibiotics and topical treatments alone. Both adult and adolescent acne
can cause extensive scarring, serious physical and psychological disorders.
Oftentimes, the psychological damage is so severe, that it results in
several cases of suicide each year. This condition therefore needs to
be taken very seriously.
Scarring associated with acne, both adult and adolescent, requires advanced
forms of treatment. These include procedures like dermabrasion, carbondioxide
and chemical peels, and collagen injections into the lesions. We should
not assume that there is no satisfactory therapy for acne.
