Facts

• Both women and men can be affected by this condition.
• Acne usually develops when a person hits puberty.
• There are many medications, creams, gels and ointments on the market to combat the problem.
• Men are more likely to get more severe forms of acne (Acne in Teens).
• There are many different forms of acne.
• If you squeeze a pimple, it is possible to cause scarring the dirt to go down deeper into the skin, causing a cyst (Acne in Teens).

Causes

• Hormones: the shifting of hormones during and after puberty or before a woman’s menstrual cycle can produce acne.
• Stress: Stress can produce more of the androgen hormones that cause acne.
• Genetics: If your parents had it, you have a higher chance of getting it.
• Environment: Heat and humidity can cause acne, and sunlight can make it better or worse.
• Cosmetics: Some cosmetics contain oil, perfumes or dyes. Try to use cosmetics that are oil free, water-based and hypoallergenic.
• Medications: Some medications can cause acne by increasing the oil production in your skin or by creating an imbalance in your hormones. Talk to your doctor if the acne worsens.
• Diet: What you eat does not have a huge effect on acne like some people think. For example, chocolate does not give you pimples! However, eating a balanced diet will improve your skin and overall health.
• Hygiene: You do not need to wash your face more than twice a day. Your skin can become irritated if you do.
• Pressure and friction: Don’t pop or apply pressure to pimples because the oils from your fingers can cause the pores to become clogged.

Symptoms

The symptoms of acne show up on the skin in many different forms. Some are less severe than others.

• Whiteheads: These are white bumps caused by oil and dead skin cells.
• Blackheads: When the whiteheads stay open, the surface becomes dark or black from dirt and air exposure.
• Pimples or Papules: Small reddish bumps that occur when the clogged hair follicles become irritated or inflamed. Sometimes these can seem invisible because of their size.
• Pustule: These are pimples containing white blood cells, bacteria and dead skin cells. It usually looks like a red bump with pus that can be seen through the skin.
• Macule: This is what is leftover when an acne bump has healed. It is usually red or pink and flat.
• Nodule or Cyst: This is the most severe form of acne. It is a large bump that goes deep into the skin and is filled with pus and is often painful. This acne can result in scarring and needs to be treated by a physician.
• Abscesses: The hair follicle containing the cyst bursts and spreads the bacteria from the cyst to the surrounding tissue. This will cause inflammation and infection.

Diagnosis

For those with major acne, the best thing to do is to go see a dermatologist who can give you information and treatments to clear up the problem. For those with mild acne, go see a pharmacist or a doctor and they will be able to tell you what over-the-counter measures will best suit your needs.

Treatment

There are many treatments out there to fight acne – it just depends on which form you have.

• Topical treatments (creams, face washes and masks)
• Ultraviolet light
• Antibiotics or natural antibiotics
• Retinoid drugs or intralesional therapy (mainly used for those with severe acne)
• Cosmetic surgery (used to remove scars caused by severe acne)

Links

Acne Net
Acne in Teens: Ways to control it
Health Touch
Acne Canada