Just about everyone gets it at one time or another
Acne vulgaris refers to a spectrum of skin eruptions — blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, cysts and nodules — that can be sore, painful or itchy. Few people escape adolescence without a pimple or two.
Acne begins when a fatty oil, called sebum, and dead cells are manufactured too quickly and clog the pores around small hair follicles. The results can range from whiteheads to blackheads and pimples.
Acne tends to occur in areas where there are high concentrations of these sebaceous glands — the face, neck, shoulders, and upper and center back. In both sexes, elevated secretion of androgen hormones during puberty stimulates these glands to produce extra sebum, increasing the likelihood of acne.
What you can do
PRACTICE SMART PERSONAL HYGIENE
Use a cleansing agent or soap that dries the skin enough to cause minor shedding (avoid too much drying since this can cause further irritation).
Use a clean washcloth — gently.
Never scrub the skin. If acne is not too severe (skin is not infected, pussy or raw), cleansing with a gentle abrasive such as Buff-Puff may help.
Always rinse thoroughly.
Give yourself an occasional mini-steam bath by placing a warm, wet towel on your skin for 10 to 15 minutes. This will help open pores and allow deeper cleaning.
For infants with acne, wash the face daily with a clean cloth, water and mild soap.
SKIN MEDICATIONS
Acne medications unblock pores by drying up oil and promoting peeling. Many are available without a prescription and come in solutions that help cover up redness and scarring. Sunlight may temporarily clear up skin, but it can have other damaging effects — especially if drying agents or antibiotics are being used.
A doctor can prescribe stronger versions of topical skin medications or a special formulation of vitamin A, called retinoic acid (Retin-A), and antibiotics. Vitamin A also may be prescribed for severe cases and should be taken only as directed by your doctor — too much of it can be toxic.
Final notes
Carefully follow the directions, warnings and precautions on any drugs you use. Call your doctor if you have questions. And be patient — it may take two to six weeks or more to see progress with any of these self-care treatments or medications.
Acne vulgaris refers to a spectrum of skin eruptions — blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, cysts and nodules — that can be sore, painful or itchy. Few people escape adolescence without a pimple or two.
Acne begins when a fatty oil, called sebum, and dead cells are manufactured too quickly and clog the pores around small hair follicles. The results can range from whiteheads to blackheads and pimples.
Acne tends to occur in areas where there are high concentrations of these sebaceous glands — the face, neck, shoulders, and upper and center back. In both sexes, elevated secretion of androgen hormones during puberty stimulates these glands to produce extra sebum, increasing the likelihood of acne.
PRACTICE SMART PERSONAL HYGIENE
Use a cleansing agent or soap that dries the skin enough to cause minor shedding (avoid too much drying since this can cause further irritation).
Use a clean washcloth — gently.
Never scrub the skin. If acne is not too severe (skin is not infected, pussy or raw), cleansing with a gentle abrasive such as Buff-Puff may help.
Always rinse thoroughly.
Give yourself an occasional mini-steam bath by placing a warm, wet towel on your skin for 10 to 15 minutes. This will help open pores and allow deeper cleaning.
For infants with acne, wash the face daily with a clean cloth, water and mild soap.
SKIN MEDICATIONS
Acne medications unblock pores by drying up oil and promoting peeling. Many are available without a prescription and come in solutions that help cover up redness and scarring. Sunlight may temporarily clear up skin, but it can have other damaging effects — especially if drying agents or antibiotics are being used.
A doctor can prescribe stronger versions of topical skin medications or a special formulation of vitamin A, called retinoic acid (Retin-A), and antibiotics. Vitamin A also may be prescribed for severe cases and should be taken only as directed by your doctor — too much of it can be toxic.
Final notes
Carefully follow the directions, warnings and precautions on any drugs you use. Call your doctor if you have questions. And be patient — it may take two to six weeks or more to see progress with any of these self-care treatments or medications.
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