ACNE CARE

What is acne

Acne is an inflammatory skin disorder in which hair follicles on the skin become blocked by sebum (oil), dead skin cells and bacteria. Simply put, they then rupture into acne lesions resulting in blackheads, whiteheads, papules, pustules, nodules and cysts that can become inflamed on the face and body.

Genetics and hormones are the chief causes of acne. Other factors that promote acne are emotional stress, medications, diet, cosmetics, skin care products, hair care products, personal hygiene, environmental irritants, and air pollution.

Acne affects males & females, teens and adults. It is the most common skin disorder, affecting over 50 million Americans. Along with painful acne symptoms, it can cause considerable embarrassment and emotional impact.

When To See A Doctor

The right time to see a doctor about acne treatment is when typical over the counter acne medications don’t help. Acne can be difficult to cope with – leading to a loss of self-esteem, anxiety disorders and even depression. People who get acne cysts and nodules often see scars when acne clears and typical over the counter medications can’t treat cystic acne, so it’s important to see a doctor to treat it in order to prevent scarring.

Your doctor can diagnose acne with a physical examination and a medical history of acne. Also, what might look like acne could also be another underlying medical condition that only your doctor can diagnose.

Be sure to take your Talk To Your Doctor Guide with you to your appointment to help provide your doctor with your list of symptoms.

The Importance of Skin Care

Establishing an effective daily skin care routine is vital to managing your acne. Most dermatologists recommend washing twice a day – and also, immediately after working out or after perspiring:

Use a gentle, non-abrasive cleanser (don’t use deodorant/body soaps on your face).
Avoid vigorous scrubbing.
To reduce irritation, gently use your fingertips to apply your cleanser & wash your face.
Do not use a washcloth or sponge to clean your skin.
Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm (not hot) water to further prevent inflammation.
Avoid skin care products with scrubbing particles, as they can irritate your skin and make acne worse.
When shaving, use a sharp blade & use a light touch to help prevent nicking acne lesions.
Adults should use lower strength benzoyl peroxide/salicylic acid products or switch to more natural, gentler ingredients such as tea tree oil (as we age, our skin thins out and becomes more sensitive).
Do not pick, pop or squeeze acne, which makes acne worse – increasing the risk of scarring and also prolonging healing time.
Teenage females especially tend to over treat their acne – thinking that strong skin care products and over applying make up to cover up acne will help – in reality, over drying causes the skin to compensate by producing excessive amounts of sebum (oil), causing a rebound effect.
Sun exposure will NOT dry up acne. In fact, the inflammation that results from sun exposure will make acne worse. Using tanning beds before the age of 35 increases a person’s risk for melanoma/skin cancer by 75%. Also, be aware that using benzoyl peroxide and retinoid products will cause sun sensitivity.
Use non-comedogenic (will not cause acne) oil-free skin care and cosmetic products.
Environmental irritants like air pollution, high heat, high humidity, gyms & poorly ventilated kitchens (greasy environments) can aggravate acne. Be sure to shower as soon as possible when exposed to these environments.
If you are taking these drugs - talk to your doctor. These drugs can cause acne: antidepressants, oral contraceptives, antibiotics, steroids, tranquilizers.
Avoid tight fitting clothing/helmets – which rub against your skin, which worsens acne.
Manage your stress. Having to deal with acne is stressful enough, but additional stress makes it worse. There are many stress relieving activities, such as exercise which can help you.
Avoid smoking tobacco, which damages your skin.

A Healthy Diet – Can Improve Acne

You are what you eat. Much research is inconclusive, but most dermatologists will tell you that there is a connection between what we eat and the condition of our skin. Eating a well-balance diet high in fiber, zinc and raw foods is helpful. Avoid alcohol, caffeine, foods high in iodine (like salt, processed foods) and refined sugar.

Drink at least 6 – 8 glasses of water daily. Proper hydration helps your body to work efficiently.

In the United Kingdom, a 50 year review of clinical studies has shown that there is a link between diet and acne. In particular, eating foods that have a high-glycemic index (GI) can cause your blood sugar to rise quickly, triggering the pancreas to produce high levels of insulin, which stimulated hormones associated with acne.

The American Academy of Dermatology also states that high-glycemic index foods could worsen acne – but there is only weak evidence to suggest that dairy products worsen acne.

For a list of low glycemic foods, consult with your doctor or search the web.

For many years, chocolate has been singled out as a villain for bad skin, but studies have then shown that chocolate has only a moderate GI (glycemic index) level due to its high fat content. So, enjoy a small piece as an occasional treat.