Acne traumatizes some teenagers.  They think of excuses to stay at home and avoid people. The condition makes people feel unattractive, yet it is among the most common problems that teenagers all over the world face.

About Acne

Acne is the result of a complicated occurrence on the skin. The skin has sebaceous (or oily) glands near hair follicles that produce sebum (or oil), and this oil lubricates skin and hair. When sebum mixes with dead skin cells it can plug hair follicles; the openings at the end of these follicles are called pores. Bacteria can then act upon the plugged follicles, and this bacterial activity produces acne. Sebum secretion is more active in teenagers than people of other age groups, so teens tend to develop more acne.

Acne is frequently seen in areas with many sebaceous glands; these areas include the face, neck, chest, shoulders, and back. Many forms of acne exist, and they take the form of comedones (blackheads or whiteheads), papules, nodules, pustules, and cysts. Blackheads form at the surface of a plugged hair follicle when dead skin cells and oil gather, contact air, and turn black. Comedones become whiteheads when the dead skin cells and oil gather but do not contact air because the acne does not rupture. When hair follicles become infected, often because they do rupture, papules develop; this is swelled, painful and red acne. White pus sitting at the tip of a painful red bump is called a pustule. Nodules are painful lumps that develop when oily secretions build up at the hair follicles. Cystic acne creates pus-filled, infectious boils that can cause facial scarring.

Hormonal body changes can aggravate acne. These hormonal changes are seen frequently in teenagers, pregnant women, females immediately before their periods (about two to seven days), and patients who use medications like cortisone (a steroid).

Other risk factors include family history of acne; exposure to oily substances, especially lotion; friction from objects, including backpacks, tight collars, or helmets that irritate the skin; and a problematic immune system or cosmetics.

Acne treatments reduce swelling by fighting a bacterial infection, speeding the re-generation of skin cells, and reducing oil production in sebaceous glands.

Topical acne lotions that perform these functions and are applied directly to the skin contain ingredients like sulfur, resorcinol, salicyclic acid, and benzoyl peroxide. Using these lotions can have side effects, such as dry, flaky, and irritated skin. This type of skin irritation should clear up after one month of therapy. If these lotions do not work, stronger products are available that contain ingredients such as adapalene, tretinoin, tazarotene, a combination of benzoyl peroxide and clindamycin, or a combination of erythromycin and benzoyl peroxide. Side effects from using any lotion, such as redness, peeling, or a burning sensation, can be reduced by washing off the lotion after letting it work for a short period of time. Someone treating acne with lotion should gradually apply higher doses.

Taking prescription oral antibiotics can reduce extremely severe acne. Side effects of taking oral antibiotics include increasing skin sensitivity to sunlight, skin discoloration, upset stomach, dizziness, or reduction in oral-contraceptive accuracy. Over time, the effectiveness of oral antibiotics might diminish because bacteria can become resistant to them.

For cystic acne, which causes scarring, antibiotics are not enough. A doctor will prescribe the drug isotretinoin. Isotretinoin needs careful monitoring by a dermatologist, as it can induce nosebleeds; cause dryness and itchiness in the eyes, mouth, nose, lips, and skin; lead to birth defects, if it is taken during pregnancy; and raise the risk for high cholesterol, depression, sunlight sensitivity, and suicidal thoughts.

Alternative treatments to lotions and oral antibiotics include oral contraceptives (for women), light and laser therapies, chemical skin peeling, dermabrasion (removing the skin’s top layer with a rotating brush), and microdermabrasion (rough grains are used to buff away the top layer of skin). Scars from old acne can be filled in with collagen or fat, or they can be surgically removed.

Following certain hygienic measures can help to reduce or prevent acne outbreaks. Washing skin at least twice a day with oil-free or acne-prevention soap is recommended. Heavy use of make-up can clog pores (or hair follicles) and aggravate acne. All make-up should be washed off before going to bed.

Showering regularly and after strenuous physical activity is recommended because sweat also clogs follicle openings. Sometimes, wearing loose fitting-clothes can reduce sweating. Try to avoid picking and squeezing the acne because this can lead to scarring, distasteful eruptions, and sometimes infection when the acne opens.