Myths Associated With Acne

Myths are the collective beliefs believed to be true. Usually they are a figment of an over imaginative mind and are accepted despite their being untrue. Some myths are so hilarious that one tries to understand why anyone in his/her right mind would even take it to be a fact!

Acne related myths are no exception. The myths surrounding acne are very common and touted as facts by people; this at times has serious repercussions.

Acne breakout not only affects the physical look of a person, but it negatively impacts their self-belief, self-esteem, mental as well as emotional well being. A lot of stigma is associated with acne, especially among teenagers. Severe cases might result in suicidal tendencies.

Therefore it becomes imperative as parents, care givers, teachers or even as friends to dispel the common myths associated with acne or pimples & zits as they are commonly know.

Fiction 1 – Unhygienic Persons Get Pimples

Fact – Hygiene has nothing to do with acne break out. Acne is caused due to a combination of biological reasons. It may be the result of overactive sebaceous glands, hormonal changes, accumulation of dead skin cells and clogging of pores, medication or even hereditary.

Fiction 2 –Blame The Junk Food

Fact – Junk food – a food that does not provide any nutritious gain also does not contribute towards acne breakout. Eating greasy chips and fries, sugary candies and drinks, in excess leads to obesity and lifestyle related diseases. But when eaten within limit, they do not cause much harm except make you feel guilty. (It is alright to indulge once in a while and give yourself a treat!)

Fiction 3 – Stress Contributes To Acne Breakout

Fact – Stress is not the direct contributor to acne breakout. If it were, then even small triggers (stressors) would set off a zitsy attack! It affects the hormonal balance in the body, but it does not make you breakout every time you are stressed.

Fiction 4 – Pop Your Zits To Remove Them

Fact – Pop zits at your own peril! The result will be permanent scarring (deep scars and pits) or the inflammation will aggravate and spread to other areas. Of course it is tempting to remove the unsightly thing off the face, but…

Fiction 5 – Wash Off Your Pimples With Vigorous Movements

Fact – This one of the most ridiculous advice a person can give. Washing face twice a day – in the morning and at night – with a mild soap and warm water gently, will keep the bacteria, grime and pollutants away. No need to scrub your face vigorously throughout the day. The pimples are not going to fall off! In fact, the condition might just worsen.

Fiction 6 – Acne Occurs Only During Teens

Fact – Acne can breakout even when you are as old as 50. The reasons for acne in adults are hormonal imbalances, medications for diseases, hormonal therapies or hereditary factors. Adults face as much mental and emotional trauma as teens do when they breakout with acne.

Fiction 7 – Toothpaste Cures Acne

Fact – First of all – Acne is NOT CURABLE. It can be TREATED. It is not possible to prevent acne from occurring because you cannot predict when it might occur! Moreover, toothpastes do not cure acne. They are for dental purpose only! In order to treat mild acne you can use topical creams or gels containing benzoyl peroxide. Or you can get a prescription antibiotic for severe breakout.

Many more myths associated with acne are due to various reasons. Dispelling them should be on the priority list as in teenagers acne is a major contributor towards depression and negative body image. Thus it behooves parents and teachers alike to separate fact from fiction to provide the necessary information about acne.

An acne breakout in adults is becoming common some studies report. The study indicates that 1 in every 5 women belonging to the age group of 25 – 40 years has dealt with an acne breakout at some point or the other. At the same time, 25 % of the sample male population had sprouted pimples at least once in their adult life. This means acne is not restricted to teen age; adults are as much prone to acne breakouts as teenagers, if not more.

Causes Of Adult Acne

Adult acne is caused due to environmental pollutants, hormonal imbalances, medication, cosmetics and genetic factors.

• Acne
  

  Acne Breakout Amongst Adults

  builds up when the sebaceous glands produce oil in excess. At the same time skin cannot shed the dead cells at an equal measure and over a period of time there is a buildup of oil and dead skin cells which clog the pore resulting in an outbreak and inflammation in severe cases.

• Environmental Pollutants and dirt/grime work in tandem to contribute to breakouts. They clog the pores of the skin resulting in pimples.
• The hormones, androgens stimulate the sebaceous glands to produce and release sebum, the oil that keeps our skin healthy and young. At times these hormones over stimulate and excessive oil is created which again clogs the pores causing acne. The acne breakout in men is more due to the high levels of testosterone, while in women acne generally breaks out during phases of hormonal changes such as beginning of menstrual cycle, menopause, ovulation or pregnancy.
• Certain medications such as birth control pills are also responsible for an acne breakout in women. Even people who are on hormone therapy or steroids notice varying degree of acne.
• Cosmetic residue is the culprit behind many an acne attack. Cosmetics, especially the oil based ones combined with the skin’s natural oil, dead skin cells, dirt/grime and pollution lead to acne. This happens due to poor hygienic habits i.e. people do not remove & cleanse the cosmetics after application at the end of the day. They leave it on for longer duration thus causing to acne.
• Acne can be hereditary as well. If one or both parents have been prone to acne, the chances of getting acne even in adulthood rise significantly.

Issues Related To Adult Acne

Adult acne is equally embarrassing as it is during teenage years. The general perception is that one gets acne only during teen years. Adult acne is therefore associated with bad hygiene and unhealthy eating habits. A lot of stigma is attached to adult acne. The affected person may shun social company and his/her self-esteem gets affected. Extreme cases of acne have been known to push a person towards depression. A research also indicates that adult acne affects the employability factors as well.

Adult Acne Is Treatable

Adult acne is not curable; albeit it can be treated. Mild attacks of acne can be treated with over the counter medicine or topical creams. At the same time it is better to adopt a skincare regime that takes care not only of pimples but other skin related problems.

In severe, cases treatments can be sought from a medical practitioner or a dermatologist who might recommend any of the following services – laser treatment, microdermabrasion (for acne scars) and oral medication – depending upon the severity of the case.

Acne Breakout In Teens

Acne in teenagers is a common phenomenon. A severe breakout leaves a lasting impression on the skin as well as the psyche of the teenager. An understanding and sympathetic parent can help by taking the ‘edge’ off of the issue of pimples. Not unlike other health issues a parent can educate the child about acne breakouts, the reason behind it and what recourse is possible to overcome the issue.

A parent can begin by telling the child what acne is. Information about the same is accessible on the internet, in books or even from the family doctor.

What is Acne?

Acne is commonly known as pimples or zits which break out on the skin surface of face, neck, shoulders, chest and back. They breakout when there is an excessive production of sebum (oil) which mixes with the dead skin cells and clogs the pores. They can be in any form – blackheads, whiteheads, pustules, papules, nodules and cysts.

Acne Causes

Most people believe that acne is caused among teenagers due to an unhealthy diet or improper cleaning habits. Nothing is far from the truth. Acne in teenagers is the direct cause of hormonal changes occurring in the body. The hormones called androgens stimulate the sebaceous glands to produce more oil, which when produced in excess lead to clogging of skin pores and eventual break out.

Factors such as a follicle fallout, bacteria and inflammation together with the excessive sebum contribute to make the acne severe to varying degrees.

Issues Related To Acne

Studies and research abound point towards the severe emotional and mental fallouts of acne among teenagers. An acne breakout, whether mild or severe, affects the self-esteem of the child. A breakout is a cause of severe embarrassment and affects the social behavior of the child. He/She tends to have a negative body image and in severe cases leads to an attempt to suicide.

The support of parents and even peer group helps a child overcome the emotional and mental stigma attached to acne. A parent can gently explain the causes of acne and indicate that in no way is it their fault. They can help the child by either seeking treatment from dermatologists in severe cases and follow up on the skin care regime provided by the doctor.

Tips on Reducing Possibility of Breakout

The tendency in almost everyone when they breakout is to pop out the pimple. This causes even more problems such as spreading of infection and permanent scarring.

Over the counter topical creams and gels work well in mild cases. While for severe cases the doctor will prescribe drugs or even a medical therapy.

Although it is not possible to prevent acne, a few precautions can go a long way in keeping the breakout under control.

• Washing the face frequently with a mild soap and warm water helps reduce oil and dead skin cell build up. It will also reduce the possibility of clogged pores and bacterial infection.
• Wipe the face gently. In fact dab your face with a soft towel. If you rub vigorously the chances of the breakout becoming worse are high.
• If a person uses make-up, sunscreen or any other cream, he/she should remove it before going to bed as the dirt and pollutants stick to the cosmetics and might clog your pores.
• Use water based cosmetics instead of cream based ones to avoid excessive oil build up.
• Children with long hair should wash them frequently as the oil on them is passed on to the skin’s surface when it touches the face, neck or shoulder.
• Older teenagers who work in place where there is more grease, oil or pollution should make it a habit to follow a proper cleansing regime to reduce the chances of acne.
• Acne builds up due to the combined factors of sweat, sebum and dead skin cells. So ensure that you take a shower after vigorous exercises or participating in sports.

An unsightly zit before the prom night is the ultimate nightmare of every teenager. Or an oozing pimple makes you cancel your candle light dinner with your date. The presentation becomes a disaster due to the constantly throbbing cyst on the forehead.

At the root of aforementioned scenarios are pimples or acne, which seems to breakout at the most inappropriate times. But pause and think as the situation might be the trigger for your acne breakout. Research indicates that an increase in the stress level of a person might result in an acne breakout in mild or severe forms. But that’s just one reason. Other reasons such as high levels of growth hormones especially during teenage years, wrong kinds of foods, exposure to external environment such as grime and pollution lead a person to breakout with acne.

Treating the acne after they breakout is like swimming against the tide. Address the root cause of the symptom and you will be blessed with a skin that does not breakout every now and then. A holistic approach aids in annihilating the root cause of acne.

Alternative Therapies To The Rescue

Alternative therapies that involve holistic approach towards the treatment of acne are finding a lot of takers for the simple reason that they do not look only at the superficial causes. They allow the person to ‘heal from within’. However, these therapies are not all DIY and should be carried out under appropriate supervision of experts in the respective fields:

1. Nutrition – It is believed that we are what we eat. Thus some alternative practitioners believe that a diet that comprises high amounts of beta carotene found in yellow/orange fruits and vegetables help you control acne. At the same time a person should restrict the intake of food that is high in refined sugars and fatty substances. A person who is prone to breakout should also avoid dairy products as much as possible.

If the acne is due to deficiency of vitamins and minerals, a person can take appropriate dosages of selenium, zinc, Vitamins A, B6 and E in either medicinal form or by eating food that contains them.

2. Aromatherapy – Mild outbreaks of acne can be treated by opting for aroma therapy wherein essential oils such as tea tree, lavender, chamomile, bergamot and juniper in diluted (in water) forms are used. The therapy either involves dabbing the diluted oil using cotton balls directly on the acne or by spraying it over the affect areas.

Aroma Therapy for Acne

3. Acupressure and Reflexology – Alternative therapies such as acupressure and reflexology are being used since ancient times in certain cultures to heal the various ailments of the body. Acupressure is believed to improve the overall skin tone thus reducing the chances of acne, while reflexology concentrates on working the reflex points of liver, kidney, adrenal & thyroid glands, intestine and the diaphragm found on hands and feet.

4. Meditation/Yoga – Acne breakout might be due to stress levels, in some cases. Alternative therapies such as yoga and meditation are known to have calming effects on the body, mind and spirit of a person thus reducing stress levels. They increase the body’s ability to fight germs and improve the immune system. The result is an overall healthy body, mind and spirit.

5. Brewer’s Yeast – Mayo clinic lists a specific strain of the brewer’s yeast (CBS 5926) as one alternative to treat and decrease the occurrence of acne. However this treatment should be used with great caution as side effects such as migraines and intestinal disturbances are possible.

Treatment of acne in mild cases is possible using any one of these (and more) alternative therapies. But if a person has a persistent and extreme case of acne breakout such as on the face, neck, back, shoulders or chest it is advisable to consult a medical practitioner or specialist (dermatologist) for appropriate treatment.

Acne breakout at any stage of your life – in teens or adulthood – is an irritant, literally. It takes patience and will power to hang on and try not to scratch or squeeze it. Some acne breakouts are mild while some are so severe that they leave lasting scars not only on the site they occur but also on the psyche of the person.

Acne occurs when the skin pores get clogged due to excessive oils produced by the gland combined with dust, bacteria and dead skin cells. Pus builds up in the breakouts when they get infected.

Treating mild symptoms of acne is easier at home. But for severe breakouts a medical treatment is considered best in order to treat and further prevent their appearance.

Types of Acne:

Dermatologists identify acne in grades depending upon their severity, types of inflamed or non-inflamed comedones, the quantity of inflammation and activity in the breakouts, as well as the affected body area such as face, neck, shoulders, chest or back. Mild pimples such as blackheads, white heads and milia fall under Grade 1. On the extreme end are cystic or nodulocystic acne which fall under Grade 4.

The commonly known types of acne are blackheads, whiteheads, papules, pustules, nodules and cysts.

1. Blackheads – Blackheads are a mild form of acne caused due to the excessive oil on the surface of the skin when it reacts to the oxygen present in the air. They become black due to the skin darkening pigment melanin that gets mixed with the excessive oil. Blackheads occur due to hormonal changes during puberty and external factors such as dust/grime, grease, humidity and pollutants during later stages.
2. Whiteheads – The most commonly occurring form of acne is whiteheads. They are the small white cones or bump like structures on the skin’s surface especially on the forehead. These occur when excessive sebum (oil) clogs the skin pores and plugs them. This causes lesions which are termed as whiteheads. They are called thus as they do not come in contact with air like blackheads.
3. Papules – They are the grade 2 version of whiteheads. They are conical in shape and are an inflamed pink version of the whiteheads. Some people believe that it is ok to pop these out as they do not contain pus. However this is counterproductive as popping them will result in skin irritation or damage such as a scar.
4. Pustules – These are small and round acne of red colour filled with a yellow/white pus at the centre. The pustules are inflamed variety of papules and are inflamed due to a combination of bacteria fighting white blood cells and fatty acids present in the bloodstream. The pus is present because the body is trying to fight the mild form of infection present within the lesions.
5. Nodules and Cysts – These two are the extreme grade 3 & 4 types of acne breakouts. They are so severe that they leave deep and lasting scars on the skin’s surface. They develop due to a rupture in the papule or pustule acne at a deeper level of the skin. The nodules are formed when the pus along with the bacteria spill out onto the skin’s surrounding surface. The nodules might persist for many weeks and months and when the pus and grime in it hardens, they turn to painful cysts. Though this does not happen to all nodules and they both can breakout at the same time on the skin. Both are hereditary forms of acne and mostly occur during teenage and young adulthood.

The dermatologist is the best judge of what kind of treatment a person with mild or severe acne breakout requires. Acne is common among teenagers and young adults. However, if the symptoms are extreme it is best to treat them to avoid scarring and even a low self esteem.