When your skin pores start to be clogged up with greasy, oily stuff, causing inflammation to occur, a skin condition known as acne results. If left untreated, acne could produce permanent scarring on one’s face, neck, or back. Acne is different from the common pimple that appears on the face, because acne will be inflamed and might turn out to be an infection. Acne can appear as whiteheads (closed pimples) or blackheads (open pimples), which then cause the distinguishing inflammation and possible infection.
When children begin to turn into adults, their levels of hormones causes changes in skin gland size, which causes more oil to be produced by the glands, thus often resulting in acne. The majority of acne is minor and vanishes at the end of teen years, but inflamed, infected acne can result in serious scarring.
Contrary to popular belief, there is no known study that shows particular foods, such as chocolate, cause acne. Proper diet and exercise will result in healthier skin, but will not necessarily prevent acne from appearing.
Mild forms of acne can be controlled by washing with a soft mild soap several times a day, and by refraining from picking at pimples while they are healing. There are several acne medications on the market that can control acne, but cosmetics and oil-filled lotions should be avoided when treating it.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Thursday, June 03, 2010
Acne Statistics
Based on extensive research conducted by Bass & Boney, it has been found that acne commonly occurs in combination with other skin conditions. The complex interaction of multiple conditions can make acne even more difficult to treat and control.
Many skin care products when applied to the skin alter the natural pH balance of the skin making it susceptible to bacterial growth and infection. Upsetting the skin's natural balance can lead to yeast infections, perioral dermatitis, over production of sebaceous oils, and possibly worsening of a skin condition. Acne has been found to be a component in the complex interaction of symptoms occurring with rosacea. 65% of rosacea sufferers have reported a correlation between the onset of rosacea resulting from an acne occurrence. This may be the result of acne treatments that were too harsh and caused further damage to already sensitive skin leading to an exacerbation of rosacea in people who may have been pre-disposed to rosacea, or the acne treatment may have actually caused the rosacea. Many of the more commonly accepted products used to treat acne can actually cause further damage to the skin resulting in other skin conditions such as rosacea. Acne treatments are frequently used to open the pores (exfolients, various acid-based products, and retinoids) but can be very drying and irritating to the skin.
Over 70% of acne sufferers report having combination skin. The most frequent combination is skin that is oily in the T-zone of the face while the surrounding skin is either normal or dry. This combination skin is usually the result of over use of an acne treatment. When you dry the skin out too much with the use of acne drying agents, the skin goes into survival mode and produces more oil to protect the skin and body by forming a protective barrier between airborne bacteria and the body’s internal organs.
Controlling these conditions and the factors that cause and further irritate the skin is important in the management of acne. Factors which can play a role in this include but are not limited to: glycolic-based ingredients frequently found in foundation, anti-wrinkle creams and moisturizers, cleansers containing salicylic acid, alcohol, or benzyol peroxide. If it has the ability to dry or exfoliate, it can alter the natural balance of the skin. Once this balance is disturbed; the skin reacts with pimples, papules, and redness, itching, flaking and/or increased sensitivity.
Skin is the body’s largest organ and as such the first to show damage resulting from dehydration. Since body heat relates to vascular dilation (also referred to as flushing) in most people, the acne sufferer needs even more water than the average person. The body and skin dilates when it is acidic from 'acidic foods, drinks, and exercise (lactic acid). Those with undesirable skin conditions should consume between 10 and 16 glasses (4 liters) of cold water per day to cool the face and body and to assist the body in proper excretion of oil, "acidic" waste, (toxins). The hypothalamus is the body's thermostat, which regulates temperature, but it cannot achieve this objective without adequate water. The body is approximately 70% water while the eye is approximately 96% water. Water is needed for skin cell regeneration and skin tissue repair, efficient digestion, absorption, circulation and secretion. Water carries nutrients to the skin and body cells and removes waste from the cell and neutralizes or buffers the acids from exercise, stress, foods and drinks.
Seborrhea dermatitis occurs in approximately 35% of acne sufferers. While acne and seborrheic dermatitis are different skin disorders, sometimes they can coexist at the same time. Seborrheic dermatitis involves overactive sebaceous glands, which cause inflammation, flaking and a red rash in the central portion of the face. If one looks closely, the flakes usually have a greasy look, smell and feel. The dryness of seborrheic dermatitis is perceived because of the flaking, which consists of dried layers of accumulated oil. Seborrheic dermatitis may also result in yellowish scales, which develop on the scalp, the hairline and the eyebrows. This is often confused with the crusting and scaling on the eyelids that occur with ocular rosacea.
When treating acne, one sometimes sees an acne-like eruption around the mouth area. Known as peri-oral dermatitis, peri-oral refers to the facial area around the mouth while dermatitis pertains to inflammation, redness or irritation of the skin. In addition, there are usually small red bumps or even pus bumps and mild peeling as the skin is extremely aggravated. Peri-oral dermatitis symptoms characteristically involve the mouth area, but generally do not affect the lips themselves. You may also notice flaking of the skin at the site of occurrence. Many times if the flaking is isolated to the lip area it may be mistaken for chapped lips. Often the skin around the nose is affected too, and sometimes it can affect the area under and around the eyes. This condition may be wrongfully thought of as acne while others believe it to be a manifestation of rosacea. Peri-oral dermatitis is often aggravated by fluoridated or tartar-control toothpaste, chapstick, the ingredients in lipstick, and mouthwash. Discontinuing the use of fluoridated or tartar control toothpaste for six months may help reduce the symptoms of peri-oral dermatitis.
Regardless of your individual skin condition or combination of skin conditions, Acne-Ltd can be tailored to meet the special needs of your skin. We understand the complexities of combination skin conditions and are able to assist you in the treatment and control of your skin problems.
Many skin care products when applied to the skin alter the natural pH balance of the skin making it susceptible to bacterial growth and infection. Upsetting the skin's natural balance can lead to yeast infections, perioral dermatitis, over production of sebaceous oils, and possibly worsening of a skin condition. Acne has been found to be a component in the complex interaction of symptoms occurring with rosacea. 65% of rosacea sufferers have reported a correlation between the onset of rosacea resulting from an acne occurrence. This may be the result of acne treatments that were too harsh and caused further damage to already sensitive skin leading to an exacerbation of rosacea in people who may have been pre-disposed to rosacea, or the acne treatment may have actually caused the rosacea. Many of the more commonly accepted products used to treat acne can actually cause further damage to the skin resulting in other skin conditions such as rosacea. Acne treatments are frequently used to open the pores (exfolients, various acid-based products, and retinoids) but can be very drying and irritating to the skin.
Over 70% of acne sufferers report having combination skin. The most frequent combination is skin that is oily in the T-zone of the face while the surrounding skin is either normal or dry. This combination skin is usually the result of over use of an acne treatment. When you dry the skin out too much with the use of acne drying agents, the skin goes into survival mode and produces more oil to protect the skin and body by forming a protective barrier between airborne bacteria and the body’s internal organs.
Controlling these conditions and the factors that cause and further irritate the skin is important in the management of acne. Factors which can play a role in this include but are not limited to: glycolic-based ingredients frequently found in foundation, anti-wrinkle creams and moisturizers, cleansers containing salicylic acid, alcohol, or benzyol peroxide. If it has the ability to dry or exfoliate, it can alter the natural balance of the skin. Once this balance is disturbed; the skin reacts with pimples, papules, and redness, itching, flaking and/or increased sensitivity.
Skin is the body’s largest organ and as such the first to show damage resulting from dehydration. Since body heat relates to vascular dilation (also referred to as flushing) in most people, the acne sufferer needs even more water than the average person. The body and skin dilates when it is acidic from 'acidic foods, drinks, and exercise (lactic acid). Those with undesirable skin conditions should consume between 10 and 16 glasses (4 liters) of cold water per day to cool the face and body and to assist the body in proper excretion of oil, "acidic" waste, (toxins). The hypothalamus is the body's thermostat, which regulates temperature, but it cannot achieve this objective without adequate water. The body is approximately 70% water while the eye is approximately 96% water. Water is needed for skin cell regeneration and skin tissue repair, efficient digestion, absorption, circulation and secretion. Water carries nutrients to the skin and body cells and removes waste from the cell and neutralizes or buffers the acids from exercise, stress, foods and drinks.
Seborrhea dermatitis occurs in approximately 35% of acne sufferers. While acne and seborrheic dermatitis are different skin disorders, sometimes they can coexist at the same time. Seborrheic dermatitis involves overactive sebaceous glands, which cause inflammation, flaking and a red rash in the central portion of the face. If one looks closely, the flakes usually have a greasy look, smell and feel. The dryness of seborrheic dermatitis is perceived because of the flaking, which consists of dried layers of accumulated oil. Seborrheic dermatitis may also result in yellowish scales, which develop on the scalp, the hairline and the eyebrows. This is often confused with the crusting and scaling on the eyelids that occur with ocular rosacea.
When treating acne, one sometimes sees an acne-like eruption around the mouth area. Known as peri-oral dermatitis, peri-oral refers to the facial area around the mouth while dermatitis pertains to inflammation, redness or irritation of the skin. In addition, there are usually small red bumps or even pus bumps and mild peeling as the skin is extremely aggravated. Peri-oral dermatitis symptoms characteristically involve the mouth area, but generally do not affect the lips themselves. You may also notice flaking of the skin at the site of occurrence. Many times if the flaking is isolated to the lip area it may be mistaken for chapped lips. Often the skin around the nose is affected too, and sometimes it can affect the area under and around the eyes. This condition may be wrongfully thought of as acne while others believe it to be a manifestation of rosacea. Peri-oral dermatitis is often aggravated by fluoridated or tartar-control toothpaste, chapstick, the ingredients in lipstick, and mouthwash. Discontinuing the use of fluoridated or tartar control toothpaste for six months may help reduce the symptoms of peri-oral dermatitis.
Regardless of your individual skin condition or combination of skin conditions, Acne-Ltd can be tailored to meet the special needs of your skin. We understand the complexities of combination skin conditions and are able to assist you in the treatment and control of your skin problems.
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