Acne Remover

Acne is skin a problem faced by all races. It affects up to 80 – 90 per cent of adolescents. Approximately 30 per cent of people continue to have acne in their adult life. Acne is typically characterized by an eruption of blister-like lesions on the skin. These may be reddish or whitish in color. Acne lesions are commonly referred to as “pimples”.

Various factors affect the formation of acne, and here are some of the typical ones

• Hormone increase during puberty, pregnancy, use of birth control pills and hormone treatment during menopause (Increase in sex hormones cause the oil glands to make more sebum and thus hair follicles plug up more often)
• Heredity (if your parents had acne, you might get it too). This is probably related to over-active sebaceous glands
• Some types of medicine (e.g. sex hormones, lithium)
• Greasy makeup and greasy hair products increases clog formation

How Does Acne Develop?

The outermost layer of the skin consists of dead cells. These are shed regularly (a process called exfoliation) and are replaced constantly by cells from the bottom. In the process of shedding, some of the dead cells fall into the hair follicles (or “pores”) from which hair protrudes. Attached to hair follicles inside the skin are glands which secrete oil (sebum) into the hair follicle. Sebum lubricates the hair to make it supple and soft. In individuals with acne-prone skin, there is excess sebum production; hence they usually have oily skin especially on the forehead, cheeks and chin (commonly referred to as the T-zone).

Stage 1 – epidermis, hair follicle, sebaceous gland, hair shaft, dermis

When the dead cells fall into the hair follicle, they mix with the sebum to form a gluey paste. Over time, the clump of dead cells and sebum builds up to form a plug. This clogs up the hair follicle, thus preventing excess sebum from being excreted (Stage 2). The volume of sebum builds up inside the hair follicle, resulting in swelling. At the same time, the clog traps bacteria, including Propionbacteria inside the hair follicle. This phenomenon is the start of acne (pimple) formation.

Stage 2 – clog, swelling of bottom of hair  follicle,  bacteria  (the shape of rods)

The trapped bacteria grow and multiply inside the hair follicle, and cause damage to cells and tissue inside the hair follicle. This results in inflammation (redness and swelling). The appearance of pimples depends on the extent of inflammation inside the hair follicle (Stage 3).

Stage 3 – clog,   inflammation, bacteria

There are many types of pimples. The basic pimple is called a comedo, and is simply an enlarged and plugged hair follicle.

The most common types of pimples are:

Whiteheads
These are pimples that stay under the surface of the skin.

Blackheads
These pimples rise to the skin’s surface and look black. (The black colour is not from dirt)

Papules
These are small pink bumps that may be painful to touch.

Pustules
These pimples are red at the bottom and have pus on top.

Nodules
These are large, painful, solid pimples that are deep in the skin.

Cysts
These are deep, painful, pus-filled pimples that can cause scars.

Myth: Acne is contagious.

Truth: While many skin diseases are highly contagious, acne isn’t one of them. But if acne is left untreated and a nasty secondary infection develops, that could possibly be transmitted to another person who has open but not yet infected lesions.

Myth: Poor hygiene causes acne.

Truth: Acne is not caused by dirt but by dead skin cells mixing with an excess of oily, sticky sebum, which then blocks the pores. Excessive washing should be avoided as it makes more dry skin cells available to combine with sebum. Don’t use harsh soaps or abrasive cleansers or cosmetic scrubs; they can strip the surface of the skin and can damage skin with acne. Wash your face with plain water and a mild, liquid cleanser.

Myth: Chocolate and greasy or “heaty” foods cause acne.

Truth: There is nothing in chocolate or in fatty oily or “heaty” foods that has any direct effect on acne. Yet they have been blamed for causing pimples. If eaten in moderation and complemented with an otherwise healthy diet, they will neither cause nor worsen acne.

Myth: Stress cause acne breakouts.

Truth: Stress may cause hormonal changes and may contribute to  aggravate  acne  lesions, although there is no scientific evidence on this.

Myth: Alcohol, if applied on acne, dries the acne up.

Truth: It will, on occasion, reduce the secondary infection from an open wound. But it will only dry out your skin, generate more dry skin cells, and create more clogged pores that lead to more acne if you apply it to your skin’s surface. That is why alcohol-based toners should not be used if you have acne. |

What Things Can Actually Make Acne Worse?

1. Changing hormone levels in teenage girls and adult women 2 to 7 days before their menstrual period starts; pregnancy
2. Leaning on or rubbing the skin.
3. Pressure from bike helmets, backpacks, or tight collars.
4. Environmental irritants such as pollution and high humidity.
5. Squeezing, pressing or picking at pimples.
6. Hard scrubbing of the skin. This will further damage already inflamed skin. Do not use harsh or rough scrubs if you have

There are many methods of treating acne, acne remover products  and, equally important, how to care for acne-prone skin and prevent recurrence of acne.