What Is Acne And How To Get Rid Of Acne

March 1, 2010 by Editor  
Filed under Acne Information

Acne is a disorder that is caused by hormonal imabalances which causes abnormal conditions in the skin that can lead to clogged pores and acne outbreaks. After a little bit it can lead to pimples or zits on the face. Acne is the most common skin disease and it is estimated that over 17 million people in the United States are affected by it. You can get it on your face, neck, back, chest, and shoulers. The most common age group that is affected by acne are teenagers. Pregnant women can also be more affected by acne.

Acne is classified by doctors as a disease of the pilosebaceous units. These things are connected to follicles. At the end of every follicle there is a hair connected that grows out of the skin. The pilosebaceous glands produce an oily substance which is called sebum and it is extreted through the openings in the skin. When production of this sebum is higher than it should be it accumulates at the end of hair follicles and clogs up your skin pores. This creates the perfect opportunity for micro-organisms to thrive, clog up the pores, which then can lead to acne.

One of the most common beliefs is that acne is caused by dirty and oily skin, which is still true so the secret behind keeping acne under control is keeping the skin clean. Another things that is a big factor are androgens which is a male hormone within both males and females. This is a major cause of acne in teenagers because it causes more sebum.

Here is a list of some of the factors that can lead to acne:

1. Rapid changes in hormone levels amongst teenagers.

2. Rapid changes of hormones in adolescent females a few days before their period starts.

3. Dirt, dust, pollution, and other irritants in the air.

4. Scubbing the skin too hard.

Here are some preventative measures you can follow:

1. Staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water.

2. Eating fresh vegetables, greens, and fruit.

3. Avoid cigarettes, smoke, caffeine, tea, and unhealthy oils.

4. Be sure to exercise, participate in physical sports, and walk.

Acne Light Therapy Treatment

March 1, 2010 by Editor  
Filed under Acne Treatment

There are actually many different kinds of treatments created to treat acne. One effective alternative is light therapy. Acne is known to be formed by a bacteria called P-Acnes. This bacteria thrives in oil trapped underneath the skin and clogs pores. Because of the clogged pores, pimples and zits may form, along with whiteheads or blackheaders. The light therapy treatment works to kill the bacteria than causes acne to occur.

Light treatment does not require any drugs or continuous procedures. The light therapy treatment will not harm your skin like other treatments. It has actually been appoved by the FDA to treat mild to moderate acne cases. Light therapy has had and continues to have significant benefits for people who do not respond well to other acne treatments.

One of major causes of acne to get worse is the use of cleansers that contain harsh chemicals and astringents. A lot of people want a quick fix for their acne problems and actually make their acne worse by using these types of products. These products do not get rid of the actual cause of acne but the symptoms of it, they can actually dry out the skin more, cause irritation, and make it worse.

The one particular kind of light treatment being used effectively today is blue light therapy. It has been successfully used to prevent and reverse various cases of acne vulgaris. The treatment is typically given one time every week for about 4 to 8 weeks depending on how bad the acne is and how the affected person responds to it. Each treatment can last about 5 to 20 minutes. Topical lotion may also be used in conjunction with the blue light therapy.

While these light treatments may stop acne from happening, they would not be complete without using laser therapy. Laser therapy is used to minimize the appearance of acne scars.