Acne: Types, Causes, and Treatment

Acne is a skin disorder brought about by a malfunctioning of the gland which is responsible for the oil production in our skin, the sebaceous gland. It is generally characterized by pimples and zits and clogged pores (although some people refer to it as lesions). Over 20 million people in the US alone are reported to suffer from the skin disorder for over many years now. But everybody is prone to suffer from acne especially teenager and young adults. Acne does not only affect the face; it also surfaces on the neck, the shoulders, and the skin at the back, which may cause it to be a major embarrassment. The disease is classified into either severe acne or mild acne; the former causing major alterations in one’s skin and therefore leaving scars.

So how exactly does acne develop and what are the factors that bring about its occurrence? You will notice that our skin is made up of small holes (also called pores). These pores are connected to oil glands that are located under our skin. These glands (or sebaceous glands) produce sebum, which is an oily substance. Follicles or canals connect the glands and the pores. Inside these canals, dead skin are being carried to the surface of the skin by way of the oil. We will also observe a thin hair growing out of our pores.

A pimple or a manifestation of acne develops when the follicles of the skin gland begins to clog up. These pimples may be found on the face, the neck, shoulders, and sometimes even the chest and the back.

A hormonal imbalance or stress can cause an abnormal overproduction of sebaceous material. This is the most common cause of acne. It has also been noted that almost always the phenomenon known as retention keratosis occurs together with acne. Retention keratosis refers to the condition in which the lining cells of the sebaceous gland do not shed properly and stay in place for prolonged periods of time. This malfunctioning will cause the duct to be blocked or closed eventually causing the irritation or inflammation of the surface of the skin.

As opposed to common misconceptions, treatment of acne should not be expensive. It is likewise important to note that the main goal of treating acne is to prevent scarring. Here are some tips you can follow to achieve this:

As with any healthy diet, drinking lots and lots of water does wonders. Make sure to gulp down at least two liters of water every day.
Eat lots of vegetables and fresh fruits. Fruit juices, smoothies, and salads will do a lot. And contrary to what others believe in nuts and seeds do not trigger the occurrence of pimples. They actually do the opposite.
Since eating allowing may not ensure you that you have taken in your needed doses of vitamins and minerals, regular intake of supplements is likewise advised.
Minimize your caffeine intake. Because it increases stress hormones in the body, caffeine is most likely to trigger acne.
Keep yourself and your surrounding clean. Be sure to remove makeup before you go to bed. A simple water and soap regimen will do. Also regularly wash linens and other stuff where dust and other dirt normally get stuck.