Health Tips

The scourge of teenagers everywhere, acne can be a major blow to anyone’s self esteem. And yet it’s the most common skin problem today.

Eight out of ten people will suffer from acne, most frequently during their teen years. But acne can strike at any age, and many adults struggle with it as well. Most often appearing on the face, acne can erupt anywhere you have skin, frequently affecting the shoulders, back, and chest.

In addition to causing embarrassment, acne can also be quite painful and leave disfiguring scars. For many, once the breakouts have finally ended, the scarring can be just as traumatic and even more difficult to overcome.

The Causes

People can experience outbreaks of acne anywhere that they have skin. There are also many theories about why people get acne. Many of these theories are myths such as the chocolate myth. The biggest causes of acne are hormone changes and/or excess oil produced in the skin.

Hormones known as “androgens” help skin produce necessary oils. When the androgens are out of balance too much oil results which can trap dirt in the pores, leading to pimples and blackheads. Too much oil in the hair can also be a problem if the hair is long enough to touch the face.

Heredity also gets into the act, as does an individual’s personal hygiene. Keeping your face as clean as possible is helpful. Removing makeup nightly and washing your face after active sports or other activities that cause sweating is a must.

A wide variety of treatments is available today, both by prescription and over-the-counter. If you’ve tried the retail treatments without effect, it’s important to see a doctor so that you won’t suffer needlessly.

There are also many homeopathic or “natural” remedies, and some of them can be concocted at home from simple, natural ingredients. Prevention, of course, is preferable to any kind of treatment. Even if you are unable to prevent all breakouts, you may be able to cut down the occurrences significantly.

Getting acne under control is essential. By cutting down the frequency, severity, and duration of outbreaks, your risk of permanent scarring drops dramatically.