[*lyrynne*]

hi there...i've been reading cosmopolitan a while ago and theres an article about acne and regime and how to heal it.

this is what i read so far:

find a cleanser that suits your skin with salicylic acid. use it twice a day.

use a hydrocortisone cream for the redness of a pimple.

if your skin is inflamed use a toner or moisturizer with aloe vera or chamomile.

for scars use licorice cream or a tea tree extract to make it less visible or fade away.


here's more info:


All forms of acne start with one basic lesion known as the comedo. A comedo is an enlarged hair follicle that is clogged with oil and bacteria. The comedo, which is invisible to the naked eye, is just waiting underneath the surface of your skin until certain conditions lead to its growth into an inflamed lesion. Bacteria thrive inside the swollen follicle as the skin continues to produce more oil. Inflammation of the surrounding skin increases while your white blood cells fight against the bacteria.

The different types of acne are:

1. Non-inflammatory Acne

Closed comedo or whitehead: The lesion is called a closed comedo or a whitehead when the clogged follicle remains underneath the surface of the skin. These lesions in the skin usually come into sight as small whitish bumps.

Open comedo or blackhead: An open comedo or a blackhead is a lesion wherein the plug enlarges and pushes through the surface of the skin. It has always been thought that the dark appearance of the plug is due to dirt. Actually, this is due to the buildup of melanin, which is the dark pigment of the skin that causes the plug�s dark appearance.

2. Inflammatory Acne

Papule: The papule is the mildest form of inflammatory acne. This manifests as a small, firm pink bump on the skin. This lesion is usually tender when touched and most of the time thought of as an intermediary step between non-inflammatory and clearly inflammatory lesions.

Pustule: A pustule is a small round lesion similar to the papule. On the other hand, a pustule, unlike a papule, is clearly inflamed and has visible pus. It usually appears red at the base and has a yellowish or whitish center. This lesion usually does not have a lot of bacteria. The chemical irritation from the sebum components such as fatty free acids is what commonly causes the inflammation.

Nodule or cyst: This is an inflamed lesion that contains a lot of pus and is stuck deep within the skin. They are usually large and painful. When the contents of a comedo have leaked out into the surrounding skin, nodules start to develop. As the local immune system responds, it leads to the production of pus. Nodules are considered to be the most severe form of acne lesion and they may last for weeks or months. The contents of a lesion harden into a deep cyst. Most of the time, the nodules and cysts leave behind deep scars.

Acne conglobata: This lesion is a rare but serious form of inflammatory acne. They develop most of the time on the back, buttocks, and chest. Together with the presence of pustules and nodules, severe bacterial infection may also be present.

Acne can be caused by a combination of factors at work deep down the surface of your skin. There are five primary factors which contribute to the production of acne. Each of these factors differs between individuals.

Causes of Acne:

Hormones: Majority of those suffering from acne usually reports seeing it first during puberty. At this stage the body starts to produce hormones called androgens which lead to the enlargement of the sebaceous gland. This enlargement occurs naturally during the development of the body. However, over-stimulation of the sebaceous glands by the androgens leads to the development of acne and sometimes well into adulthood. Acne flare-ups related to the menstrual cycle and sometimes pregnancy are also caused by the androgens.

Extra sebum: Extra sebum is produced when the androgens stimulate the sebaceous gland. As it goes up the follicle on its way to the surface, the sebum combines with common skin bacteria and dead skin cells that have been shed from the lining of the follicle. Although this process is normal, there is an increased chance of clogging because of the extra sebum in the follicle thus leading to the formation of acne.

Follicle fallout: In general, the dead cells within the follicle gradually shed and are forced out onto the surface of the skin. However, patients with overactive sebaceous glands, which happen usually during puberty, shed dead cells more rapidly. As this combines with extra sebum, the dead skin cells results in the formation of a plug in the follicle and prevents finishing of the natural process of renewal of the skin.

Bacteria: Bacterium Propionibacterium acnes, acne for short, are a regular occupant of all skin types. Bacteria are a part of the natural sebum maintenance system of the skin. On the other hand, when a follicle is clogged, the P. acnes bacteria quickly multiply and thus create a chemical reaction which is inflammation of the follicle and the surrounding skin.

Inflammation: As unwanted bacteria come across your body, an inflammatory response occurs. This inflammatory response is also known as chemotaxis. This is where the white blood cells protect the body by attacking these bacteria. It is also what causes pimples to become red, swollen, and painful. The inflammatory response varies from patient to patient; however, studies show that it is particularly strong in adult women.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is acne just a cosmetic condition?

A: Acne is a cosmetic condition as it affects the person�s appearance although it does not pose a serious threat to one�s physical health. However, it affects how a person feels about himself, which causes low self-esteem and at times even depression. Even after the acne is gone, it can leave behind permanent physical and emotional scars. It is encouraged that one seeks treatment for acne and to take it seriously. It is better to consult a professional as soon as possible.

Q: Can acne be cured?

A: As of now, acne cannot be cured but is highly treatable. The best treatment is prevention. As soon breakouts occur, consult a dermatologist right away in order to prevent blemishes from happening. A lot of treatments for this condition are available now. It is a matter of finding the appropriate one for you. However, keep in mind that although the blemishes are gone, it does not mean that your acne is cured. It is vital that you continue to be diligent with your treatment plan even after your skin has cleared up.

Q: Will sun exposure help acne?

A: Sun exposure will not help your acne. At first, a little amount of sun exposure may improve the appearance of acne. The blemish may appear less noticeable as the skin darkens. On the other hand, prolonged sun exposure results in clogged pores because of the rapid exfoliation of the dead skin cells. Also, spending too much time under the sun darkens acne�s post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and macules. The chances of damaging the skin and having acne scars are increased with prolonged exposure. More seriously, sun exposure may increase your chances of having some form of skin cancer. So it is vital that one uses a sunblock that is oil free and has a �sun protection factor� or SPF of at least 15 for UVA and UVB rays.

Q: Is acne caused by dirt?

A: This is one of the most common mistaken beliefs about acne. A combination of factors that cannot be controlled such as hormonal imbalance and the natural pace of a person�s skin�s renewal system can cause acne. The good thing about this is that you are not helpless. There are a number of things that can be done in order to keep your acne at bay.

Q: Does makeup cause acne?

A: Not necessarily. Most of the cosmetics in the market are non-comedogenic, meaning they would not clog your pores. So, when buying cosmetics, make sure that you look for products that are non-comedogenic, oil-free or water-based and hypoallergenic (no fragrance added). However, even the right kind of cosmetics, when used during a strenuous activity such as exercise, can travel across the skin and into the pores. So it is better to do without cosmetics during these activities.

Q: Does chocolate or junk food cause acne?

A: Scientists have not been able to prove or find any significant link between diet and acne. Foods you have always associated with acne do not really cause it and are actually fine. However, it is still important to have a healthy diet to aid your body in fighting against acne.

Q: Is acne triggered by stress?

A: Acne is not caused by stress but stress can generate flare-ups. Cortisol, which causes the sebaceous glands to produce more oil, steps up its production when the body encounters stress. It is not easy to determine the usual effects of stress on the skin since individual stress response varies from each person. One should know that even the good kind of stress (i.e. when planning a wedding) can still generate a trigger response. The best way to handle this is to make sure that you are able to make time for things that will make you feel relaxed and happy.

Q: Is acne just for teenagers? Will you grow out of it?

A: This is actually a myth which can be harmful since teenagers would tend to �wait it out� instead of actually seeking help for their acne. This may result in a severe case of acne and scarring which can eventually lead to low self-esteem. This myth also affects adults who are suffering from acne as they may be too embarrassed to seek treatment wondering why they still have acne at this stage and if they are doing something wrong in handling it. Fact is, acne can hit you at any age and although it is treatable, the course and duration of the treatment varies for each person.

Q: Can scrubbing and toning stop acne?

A: Since we have established that acne is not necessarily caused by dirt, excessive washing with scrubbing and toning will not make it go away. Over-the-counter exfoliants that are harsh, such as apricot pits or walnut shells, can irritate or tear the skin and lead to an increased chance of infection and more breakouts. Similarly, the use of alcohol-based toners can strip the skin of needed oils and leave it dry and irritated, making the skin produce more oil. It is recommended that one uses a gentle medicated scrub and a mild alcohol-free toner in order to achieve best results. A good and gentle alternative is witch hazel.

Q: Do spot treatments work?

A: For the longest time, over-the-counter products claim that a touch of medicine placed directly on the pimple will clear it up. Unfortunately, this is not true. Blemishes take 2 to 3 weeks to develop. So what is happening is that you are treating an old symptom of the problem rather than treating the problem itself. Taking care of the whole face area everyday even before the development of blemishes is the best way to treat acne.

i hope this helps...i'm depressed too...ahuhu~

good luck to us...

[conzerz]

Q: Does chocolate or junk food cause acne?

A: Scientists have not been able to prove or find any significant link between diet and acne. Foods you have always associated with acne do not really cause it and are actually fine. However, it is still important to have a healthy diet to aid your body in fighting against acne.

i break out when i eat chocolate. my mom bought a bunch of GODIVA chocolate from the easter sale and ever since i've been eating them everyday i break out. even though scientists say it doesn't really affect your skin, i think it does ^^

thanks for the post! interesting read.