ACNE
The Little Friends That Never Go Away.
November 8th, 2004
By Sal Roach
It’s happened to everyone. Before a big meeting, a big date or an
important picture, little red friends pop up from beneath the skin and let
the world know that they’ll be living on your face for a few days.
Sometimes they even bring their black and white friends.
In some severe cases, they never really go away.
Acne, the killer of teenage egos, is an adult problem that affects 17 million
Americans each year, making it the number one skin disease in the country.
Although there are no internal ramifications from acne, there are emotional
and some physical effects left by scarring or distinct disfiguration.
Acne is caused by oil secreted by hormones that plug up the pores in your
skin.
The little red pimples you see on your face are actually plugged up hair
follicles that have spilt an excess of oil and white blood cells on to your
face, which then develop a bacteria. If the oil does not overflow onto your
skin, it stays underneath, producing what is normally called a white cap or
black head.
Now that you know, what can you do about it?
First, eating fatty or greasy foods does not cause acne. The grease from the
food does not seep through your skin and cause little pimples to pop up.
If you rub the burgers over your face, then perhaps you might have a problem.
Then again, if you are rubbing food on your face, you definitely have a
problem.
While there is no cure for ace, there are several over the counter products
that can be used in the fight against the bumpy burdens. Medicines high in
benzoyl peroxide, tretinoin, adapalene, and azelaic acid, as well as natural
forms of Vitamin A are effective in battling white heads and black heads.
Many people are choosing to take pills containing strong antibiotics,
however, the side effects from these include stomach aches, severe headaches,
and for those of you taking birth control pills, the intake of an antibiotic
could greatly reduce the effectiveness of the pill. Please consult your
physician before mixing any medications.
As with most disorders, prevention is the best medicine. Here are a few tips
for keeping your skin smooth.
Many people think that a strong facial scrub will REALY clean out those pores,
but in fact, you may be doing more harm than good. Gentle circles starting
from under your jaw and ending at the top of your head is the best way to
clean your face. If you have oily hair, you may want to shampoo everyday to
prevent the oil from reaching your face.
When shaving, make sure you run the razor through some soapy water before
starting. The dirt and oil stuck between the blades can easily cause skin
disfiguration.
If you are using any prescription or over the counter creams, you should cut
down on the make up and foundation you use, as the oils in these products can
cause increased irritations.
For more information, feel free to visit the American Academy of Dermatology
at www.aad.org.
Simple things like washing your hands multiple times a day can prevent dirt
and grime from reaching your face. Remember, everything you touch is touching
you until you remove it.
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