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Skin Conditions
Interactive
Acne
Antibiotics, laser treatment, topical anti-microbials, hormone therapy and the vitamin D derivative, retinoic acid, are all used to treat acne. Excess sebum production is the cause of it but stress, heavy makeup and spot squeezing can aggravate acne!
Acne is caused by oil secreted by sebaceous glands mixing with dried skin and bacteria to form a plug, which blocks the pore. It usually affects the face - especially the forehead and around the nose and chin - and often the upper back and chest, areas with the highest density of sebaceous glands. Teenagers are particularly likely to develop acne as around puberty these glands start producing sebum, the oil that can block pores. These plugs, can be whiteheads or blackheads and are part of the acne, not caused by dirt.
Who gets it?
Acne is not necessarily reserved for teenagers and can continue into adulthood, though most sufferers do grow out of it. Women who suffer from PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) may also develop acne as a result of hormonal imbalance.
What makes acne worse?
Hormonal changes around periods.
Heavy makeup and concealers - use cosmetics labelled non-comegenic (non pore plugging).
Hair hanging over the forehead.
Squeezing spots - leave them alone, picking increases the chance of scarring.
...what doesn't?
Chocolate.
Greasy food.
Not washing.
Consequences
Acne, though often distressing for the sufferer, is not dangerous. If not treated it can, however, leave unsightly scarring, especially in those with darker skin such as people of Afro-Caribbean and Asian origins.
Treatment
Benzoyl peroxide creams - these peel away a thin layer of skin, reducing pore blockage and infection. Can cause some redness and soreness initially.
Antibiotics - either oral or topical (oxytetracycline, erythromycin, minocycline, clindamycin). These need to be taken over several months to show results.
Contraceptive pill - this can regulate hormones and help control acne in some women.
Retinoic acid.
Ro-accutane - very effective for severe acne that doesn't respond to other treatments (has some serious side effects such as depression so needs monitoring by a specialist).
None of these treatments are instantaneous and it can take at least two months before effects are seen.
