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Acne - Causes, Types, Home Remedies and Treatment Strategy

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Acne - Causes, Types, Home Remedies and Treatment Strategy

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Acne is a skin disorder that happens when the follicles of the hair get plugged with sebum and dead skin cells.

Written by

Dr. Archana. G.

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Preetha. J

Published At May 10, 2018
Reviewed AtDecember 19, 2023

Introduction:

Nearly everyone has a fascination with having clear skin. There are numerous cosmetic procedures available to give acne-free, clear skin. In everyday life, everyone has probably seen countless commercials for creams promising flawless, acne-free skin. However, what exactly is this acne?

What Is Acne?

Acne is a common skin problem. Whiteheads, blackheads, and pimples are caused by oil and debris being trapped in the open hair follicles or the skin's pores. Though it can start at any age, it usually does so during puberty. Acne is not a hazardous disorder, although it can leave skin scarring. Acne can affect the face, chest, shoulders, back, and other regions of the body. Almost all teenagers get acne, albeit to varying degrees. Acne often has a varying impact on a person's emotional health depending on how bad it is. Menstrual cycle, hormonal fluctuations, weather, oil-based cosmetics, squeezing pimples, and genetics are risk factors for acne.

What Are the Various Causes of Acne?

The oily liquid known as sebum is produced by the sebaceous glands. Dead skin cells are transported to the skin's surface by sebum via follicles. Acne appears beneath the skin where there is oil accumulation when the follicles become clogged. Whiteheads may appear as a result of the follicles bulging. When a pore is open, the plug may become darker and result in blackheads. Raised pimples are filled with pus and resemble red bumps on the skin.

The other causes of acne are:

  • Medication that includes androgen, anticonvulsants, barbiturates, and lithium.

  • Stress.

  • Menstruation.

What Are the Different Types of Lesions Caused by Acne?

  • Whiteheads - Clogged, closed pores.

  • Blackheads - Clogged, open pores.

  • Papules - Tiny, painful red pimples

  • Pustules - Often known as pimples are papules containing pus at the tips.

  • Nodules - Nodular acne is an intense form of acne that develops pimples on the skin's surface as well as painful, nodular lumps beneath the epidermis.

  • Cystic Acne - Deep, pus-filled pimples and nodules are a symptom of cystic acne. These might leave scars.

What Are the Common Sites of Acne?

  • Forehead.

  • Between the brows.

  • Acne on cheeks.

  • Chest acne.

  • Chin.

  • Shoulders.

  • Upper back.

What Do the Sites of Acne Suggest?

  • If acne appears near the edges of the face, beauty products are blocking the pores.

  • If individuals have acne on their cheeks, they are probably eating too much sugar.

  • If one has forehead acne, it is caused by a liver problem, stress, or a lack of sleep.

  • If there are bumps on the T-zone, one’s face is producing too much oil.

What Are the Contributing Factors for Acne?

Common factors contributing to acne are:

  • Heredity - If any parents have acne issues, the child would be more prone to acne. Genetics plays a significant role.

  • Age - Teenagers are the most affected group by acne.

  • Stress - When in stress, hormones like cortisol and androgen can promote acne formation by producing more oil in the skin. It is called stress acne.

  • Drugs - Certain drugs like corticosteroids, lithium, anticonvulsants, and barbiturates can cause acne.

  • Occupations - People working in places exposed to industrial compounds like derivatives of coal tar, chlorinated hydrocarbon are prone to occupational acne.

  • Cosmetics - Acne cosmetica is a term used to describe acne developing due to makeup products. Ones who do not have acne otherwise can also develop acne due to the usage of makeup products. Common makeup product ingredients causing acne are benzaldehyde, lauric acid, stearic acid, lanolin, algae extract, wheat germ oil, and sodium chloride.

  • Use of Steroids - Steroid acne looks like regular acne, but it is associated with systemic use of steroids. Topical therapies can assist in the interim, but they normally goes away once people stop using steroids.

How to Treat Acne?

Essential factors to follow or modify to get rid of acne are as follows

  • Lifestyle modifications are mandatory to prevent acne from occurring.

  • Avoid intake of soda, sweets, and alcohol, and cover up to prevent damage from air pollution.

  • Stress-free life has to be practiced.

  • Exercise regularly, and drink an adequate amount of water.

  • Eliminate smoking habits.

The following are the treatment options available to manage acne:

Mild Acne -

  • Resorcinol: It helps break down blackheads and whiteheads.

  • Benzoyl Peroxide: It kills bacteria, accelerates skin replacement, and slows down sebum production. This is offered as a leave-on gel or wash as an over-the-counter product. Skin irritation is reduced with lowered concentrations and wash compositions.

  • Salicylic Acid: This can be purchased over-the-counter as a lotion or cleanser for acne. It aids in removing the damaged skin's outer layer. Salicylic acid unclogs the hair follicles by dissolving dead skin cells.

  • Retinoids: For mild to moderate acne, medications containing tretinoin or retinoic acid are frequently helpful. They are available as lotions, gels, and creams.

  • Azelaic Acid: Various cereals, including barley, wheat, and rye, naturally contain this acid. It lowers edema and eliminates bacteria on the skin.

Moderate Acne -

  • Corticosteroid Injection - It relieves inflammation and shrinks the large cysts in a shorter period.

  • Oral Antibiotics - Tetracycline and macrolides are the first line of oral antibiotics preferred to treat acne.

  • Oral Contraceptives - The FDA has approved four combination oral contraceptives for women who want to use them for contraception in addition to treating acne. They are progestin and estrogen-containing products.

  • Topical Antimicrobials - Topical Clindamycin and Erythromycin are found to provide excellent results by clearing up acne.

  • Isotretinoin - Isotretinoin works effectively in treating severe and painful acne. However, it causes some side effects like thinning hair, dry skin, etc.

  • Hormone Therapy - If there are irregular periods or acne flare-ups during the menstrual cycle that are brought on by an excess of the hormone androgen, hormone therapy may be beneficial. Low-dose estrogen and progesterone birth control pills or Spironolactone medicine, which inhibits the action of specific hormones are two forms of hormone therapy.

Extra Treatments for Acne

A healthcare professional may suggest one of several acne therapies to clean the skin if topical or oral drugs are not working effectively for the breakouts or if the acne has left scars on your skin, such as:

  • Steroids: By injecting steroids into big nodules to lessen inflammation, steroids can be used to treat severe acne.

  • Light Therapy: Acne scars are treated using lasers and light therapy. Heat is applied by a laser to the damaged collagen beneath the surface of the skin. In order to produce fresh, strong collagen and promote the formation of fresh skin to replace the old, this depends on the body's wound-healing response.

  • Chemical Peels: The top layer of aging skin is removed using specific chemicals in this therapy. The top layer of skin is removed, resulting in smoother new skin that may minimize acne scars.

How to Prevent and Manage Acne at Home?

  • Use warm water to wash the face twice a day.

  • Avoid using facial scrubs, turmeric powder, etc. to remove the pimples. Use simply a light cleaner instead.

  • Avoid popping the zits.

  • Before touching the skin or putting on lotions, wash the hands with warm water.

  • Regularly rinse pillowcases and bath towels.

  • Steer clear of tension and worry.

  • Steer clear of fatty foods. Consume more vegetables and fruits.

  • Avert exposure to the sun. Always use sunscreen.

  • Make sure to consume enough water. Always stay hydrated.

  • Steer clear of sugar, alcohol, and sweets. Steer clear of soda and other aerated beverages as well.

  • Avoid having collars, helmets, and cell phones rubbing on the skin all the time.

What Are the Possible Complications of Acne?

Acne-affected skin is more prone to complications like,

  • Scar - Pitted scars and thick scars are common complications. Pitted scars are hard to remove, and they need advanced procedures with a laser to heal.

  • Pigmentation - The skin affected by acne can become either hyperpigmented or hypopigmented.

Conclusion:

Acne is a concerning factor, and it has to be treated appropriately at the earlier stages to prevent complications like pitted scars. Many medical procedures and medications are available now to treat the condition. Seeking a qualified dermatologist will help get rid of acne in the earliest and safest way.

Frequently Asked Questions

1.

Which Home Remedies Are Best for Acne?

Acne is a skin condition caused by obstruction of the follicles with oil and dead skin. It presents as whiteheads, blackheads, and pimples among teenagers commonly. Lifestyle modifications are mandatory to prevent acne from occurring. Avoid soda, sweets, and alcohol intake, and cover up to prevent damage from air pollution. Stress-free life has to be practiced. Exercise regularly, and drink an adequate amount of water. Eliminate smoking habits.

2.

How to Get Pimple-Free Skin?

 
- Wash your face twice a day with warm water. - Do not scrub the pimples with a face scrub, turmeric powder, etc. Instead, use only a mild cleanser. - Do not pop the pimples. - Wash your hands before touching your face and applying creams. - Rinse bath towels and pillowcases frequently. - Avoid anxiety and stress. - Avoid oily food. Eat more greens and fruits. - Avoid sun exposure. Apply sunscreen all the time. - Drink an adequate amount of water. Stay hydrated always. - Avoid taking alcohol, sweets, and sugars. Likewise, avoid soda and other aerated drinks. - Avoid the constant friction of mobile phones, helmets, and collars over the skin.

3.

How to Remove Acne Scars?

 
- Resorcinol: It helps break down blackheads and whiteheads.
- Benzoyl Peroxide: It kills bacteria, accelerates skin replacement, and slows down sebum production.
- Salicylic Acid: It helps to reduce swelling and inflammation. It comes under the chemical peels procedure category. Chemical peels are best to treat mild acne.
- Sulfur: It is unknown how exactly it works.
- Retin-A: It helps unclog the pores through increased cell turnover.
- Azelaic Acid: Stops sebum eruptions, makes cells more robust, and curbs the growth of bacteria.

4.

How to Clean the Face Naturally?

 
- Wash your face twice a day with warm water.
- Do not scrub the pimples with a face scrub, turmeric powder, etc. Instead, use only a mild cleanser.
- Wash your hands before touching your face and applying creams.
- Rinse bath towels and pillowcases frequently.

5.

What Food Leads to Acne?

Acne is a prevalent skin condition. The open hair follicles or the skin's pores get clogged with oil and dirt, resulting in whiteheads, blackheads, and pimples. Oily foods lead to this condition. Other foods like white bread, corn flakes, puffed rice, potato chips, white potatoes or fries, doughnuts or other pastries, sugary drinks such as milkshakes, and white rice can lead to acne.

6.

How Much Acne Is Typical?

Acne is a concerning factor, and it has to be treated appropriately at the earlier stages to prevent complications like pitted scars. Many medical procedures and medications are available now to treat the condition. Seeking help from a qualified dermatologist will help eliminate acne in the earliest and safest way. But all of this is necessary only if the healthcare provider thinks that the condition needs therapy.

7.

What Causes Acne on the Cheeks?

The sebaceous glands produce an oily liquid called sebum. The sebum carries dead skin cells through the follicles to the skin's surface. When the follicles get blocked, acne will grow under the skin where oil buildup is present. The follicles can bulge, resulting in whiteheads. In the case of an open pore, the plug can darken and cause blackheads. Pimples are raised, and red bumps on the skin that are filled with pus.

8.

How to Stop Acne From Spreading?

 
- Open the pores.
- Cleansing and skin care.
- Reducing bacteria.
- Reduce the oil.
- Cosmetics.
- Facials.
- Pore strips.

9.

How to Know if the Acne Is Hormonal or Bacterial?

Acne is one of the most common skin diseases. In people aged 11 to 30 years, the ratio of this disease is 3:4. Risk factors include oil-based makeup, squeezing pimples, weather, genetics, menstrual cycle, and hormonal factors. The location and nature of the acne can be diagnosed to understand its etiological factor.

10.

Does Sleeping Late Lead To Acne?

A few causes of acne include medications that have androgen, anticonvulsants, barbiturates, and lithium, stress that is not treated, and the menstruation cycle. Sleeping late does not directly lead to acne. However, unhygienic sleeping habits like using old pillow covers or not regularly washing the bedsheets, pillow cover, and blankets, can lead to the development of acne.
Dr. Archana. G.
Dr. Archana. G.

General Practitioner

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