Acne is a nightmare, especially for teenagers. However, the onslaught of acne is not limited to teenage. It can affect any one at any time. Combine hormonal changes, excess sebum production and bacteria, and the result will become acne.

Acne is not just another skin problem. It can impact us in emotionally too. People with acne feel self conscious and tend to withdraw from social interactions. So, if you have acne or your skin shows a tendency to develop it, you might want to know a few facts about the condition called acne.

Acne usually starts with blackheads which are formed when the pores of the skin get clogged with oil, thereby promoting the growth of bacteria and causing inflammation.

You may be tempted to squeeze or pick on the pimples on your face but refrain from doing so. It will only aggravate the situation and result in scars which take a long time to fade.

There are several treatments for acne. Here are a few:

• The best thing to do is to use a facial cleanser instead of soap. Commercially available cleansers remove dirt, oil and debris from your skin, thus reducing the occurrence of acne. Use cleansers every night so that your skin stays clean and fresh. You can buy cleansers from your pharmacist or local department stores. There are several brands available. Choose one which best suits your skin type. Cleansers which are mild, natural and medicated work best for most skin types.

• If you use cosmetic products on your face, make sure that they are oil free. Oil based cosmetics only serve to enhance acne.

• Home remedies are the best treatment for acne. You can tighten skin pores by simply wrapping an ice cube in cloth and rubbing it over your skin or you can apply cucumber juice over your skin to cleanse and tighten pores. Mix cinnamon with honey and use it as a night cream. It will cleanse your skin and prevent the onset of acne. If your acne is relatively mild, home remedies are the best option for you.

• If you have severe acne, visit a dermatologist, who will be able to suggest the best treatment option for you. Usually mild to moderate acne is treated using topical retinoids or antibiotics like clindamycin or erythromycin. Severe cases sometimes require the use of oral antibiotics in combination with topical creams. Isoretinoin is a drug prescribed for very severe acne, which fails to respond to other treatments.

• Making adjustments in your diet will go a long way in helping to combat acne. Include antioxidant rich fruits and vegetables. Foods like carrot and papaya which are rich in Vitamin A have been shown to be effective against acne. Green tea is also a rich source of antioxidants. If you cannot manage a balanced diet, you can opt to buy antioxidant supplements.

• Herbal remedies like tea tree extract, licorice extract and green tea extract are also effective treatments for acne.

• If your doctor recommends it, you can go in for light and laser therapies. These are relatively recent developments in acne treatment. Blue light therapy, pulsed light therapy and diode laser treatments are effective, especially in combination with other conventional treatments.

There are so many options to help you to control your acne. Choose one that suits your skin type so as to get the best results. Chronic acne may be more difficult to treat. So, first identify the root cause of acne and discuss the best mode of treatment with your doctor. With so many treatment options, you can rest assured that your acne will be dealt with effectively.

Jason Ladock

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