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.
An Introduction to Acne
Acne or just plain 'pimples' is one of the most common skin disorders affecting about 40-50 million people in the United States alone. Even in its milder form, acne can have a lingering impact on mental health, as well as social interactions, self-confidence, self-esteem, and even on employment opportunities.
Acne is not of recent origin, yet it remains an enigma to most people in the lay public, and even to some in the medical fraternity. Some people believe that a diet rich in fat and calories is the cause of acne; some believe that a lack of appropriate bathing results in the formation of pimples, while others attribute it to their cosmetics, or other beauty products. These are only a few of the many myths that have been created about acne.
Even though the sequelae of acne, such as hyperpigmentation and scarring,
are higher in dark skinned people (Asians and Afro-Carribeans), Acne vulgaris
occurs in people of all ethnicities and races. It usually affects individuals
who are in their teens or early adult life (12 - 24 years.) During adolescence,
acne affects boys more than it does girls. In all age groups, makes suffer
a disproportionate and severe incidence of acne.
How does acne form?
Acne is a disorder of the pilosebaceous unit. These specialized follicles
are located primarily on the face, chest, and back. During puberty, these
follicles are activated to produce sebum, causing seborrhea, which we
perceive as greasy skin. The sebaceous glands become more responsive to
the pubertal hormones, namely testosterone and DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone).
The excessive sebum and the keratinocytes (skin cells that line pilosebaceous
ducts) block the hair follicle and result in microcomedone formation.
These microcomedones are considered to be the precursors of acne. In addition,
follicle occlusion leads to a build up of sebum, proliferation of the
bacterium Propionobacterium acnes, inflammation and subsequent acne. Blackheads
(open comedones) and whiteheads (closed comedones) are the first visible
acne lesions.
Management of acne
Acne is a heterogeneous disease, with a wide spectrum of severity and clinical types. Classifying acne as mild, moderate, and severe will help in deciding the type of treatment best suited for the patient. A full history, including a psychological assessment is crucial for good acne management. People need to be aware of drugs, cosmetics, and sunscreens that can aggravate acne. It is also imperative to emphasize that treatment of clinically normal but acne-prone skin is essential to target microcomedones.
The best procedure to treat acne would be to initiate a combination
therapy, consisting of topical retinoids and systemic (oral) antibiotics.
Sometimes, topical antibiotics to kill P. acnes can also be used.
Topical acne treatments are available as creams, gels, lotions, and ointments.
Several factors enter into selection of a vehicle for the individual patient,
including whether the patient's skin is oily or dry, sensitive, or tolerant
and whether or not make up is worn.
Vitamin A derivatives, retinoids are the most effective acne therapy available.
They aid the normalization of the follicle and inhibition of inflammation.
Systemic treatment is superior to topical therapy because a higher concentration
of drug is seen in the sebaceous follicle. Oral therapy, when started,
should be used for a minimum of 6 months. It is important to keep in mind
that the success of any therapy requires a partnership between patient
and physician and a commitment to long -term results.
References: J Drugs Dermatology 2004:3(2);146-154
N Engl J Med 2005; 352;1463-72
