Acne: Types, Causes, Treatment & Home Remedies
17-07-2016 | Posted By: Admin | 9628 View(s)
Almost everyone across the globe is familiar with acne; either we have been suffering from it, or we know someone who is subjected to the vengeance of the disease, followed by embarrassing remarks from people about their skin! Despite the existence of numerous acne curing products, which claim to deliver miraculous results, the majority of teenagers end up being frustrated and highly disappointed. There is no permanent acne treatment that can improve your skin overnight. You need to understand your skin and change some of your habits to heal your skin naturally and bring in noticeable changes without causing any further damages!
Homemade remedies are appreciated for acne because they heal the skin from inside and are devoid of any side effects. Probably the most effective homemade acne remedy technique would be to clean the face with cleaning soap and water two times every day. Ideally, once in the morning and once more before going to sleep at night time.
Dealing with acne and acne scars is not easy. Acne scars is a skin condition that a lot of youngsters have to bear with and it makes them conscious. However, this does not mean that being a grown-up makes you acne free.
There are many cures for acne scars which offers you quick, handy and compelling results. But before heading towards acne treatment, let us understand the types, causes, and symptoms of acne.
What is Acne?
Acne is a chronic skin condition that causes spots and pimples on the body. This condition usually causes pimples on the face, shoulders, back, neck, chest, and upper arms. It is a common skin condition and commonly occurs during puberty when the sebaceous glands activate. But one can have acne at any age, and leave skin scars.
What are the Types of Acne?
Acne may vary in size, colour, and level of pain.
The following types of acne are there:
1. Whiteheads: These type of acne pimples are small and remain under the skin.
2. Blackheads: These are black and are clearly visible. These appear on the surface of the skin.
3. Papules: These are small, pink bumps which are visible on the surface of the skin.
4. Pustules: These are red at their base and have pus at the top and are clearly visible on the surface of the skin.
5. Nodules: They are large, painful pimples that are deeply embedded into the skin and are clearly visible on the surface of the skin.
6. Cystic Acne: They are painful and clearly visible on the surface of the skin. They are filled with pus and cause scars. Cysts can cause scars.
An Overview of Cystic Acne:
Cystic Acne is one of the most painful forms of Acne. They cover large areas of skin with painful red bumps that refuse to go with regular acne treatment. Acne is a nightmare for a person of any age group as it doesn’t specifically happen to teenagers. It can affect teenagers and even a 50-year-old adult. Cystic acne also leaves unpleasant scars which don’t fade off quickly. Pimples are skin problems that take time to heal while cystic acne can last for years.
Pimples occur due to clogged skin pores. Clogged skin pores bear bacteria that create infection and make the pore red and swollen causing pimple. When the infection gets worse and deepens inside the skin, cystic acne is formed. Since the infection is deep-seated, the healing time for cystic acne is longer. Acne hurts badly and also causes an itchy sensation. If cystic acne bursts internally or externally, it spreads the infection and causes more acne. Usually, face, chest and back are the most common places in which cystic acne occur. Teens and early 20’s is the age when a person is most vulnerable to cystic acne.
There is no specific cause of cystic acne. Acne is mainly considered to be caused by hormonal imbalance. The increase in the hormones androgens causes cystic breakouts. Such imbalance happens during a menstrual cycle, pregnancy, menopause, puberty or due to medical conditions like the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Sometimes acne is also hereditary. If the patient’s parents have a history of acne, then the chances are high that it could be heredity.
The best treatment of this type of acne is to consult a dermatologist and take medicines. Oral antibiotics are mostly prescribed to keep the infection in control. Regular consumption of such antibiotics makes your body immune to them. Cystic acne is caused due to hormonal imbalance mostly, and hence women are prescribed birth control pills.
Retinoid drugs also help in unclogging pores and help local antibiotics work better. Isotretinoin is a powerful oral drug that removes pimples permanently. They dry out and shrink the sebaceous glands. One needs to take one pill daily for a certain period to get rid of acne.
Apart from the medications, one can opt for oral application of tea-tree oil. Tea tree oil acts as a natural anti-acne agent. Dilute it with a carrier oil or water and apply it to the affected areas. Rubbing ice on the cysts helps in soothing them and reducing the inflammation. Cystic acne is very painful in nature, and the sooner one can get rid of them the better it is. Delaying in acne treatment will only make the scar darker. Scars are the secondary issue related to acne. Going to the doctor is the best idea when it comes to severe skin conditions like Cystic Acne.
What are the Causes of Acne?
Our skin has pores that connect to oil glands under our skin. Follicles are small sacs that produce and secrete liquid, and they connect glands to the pores. These glands produce an oily liquid known as sebum. It carries dead skin cells to the surface of the skin through the follicles. A hair which is small in size grows through the follicle out of the skin.
When these follicles get blocked, pimples grow, and oil builds up under the skin. Sebum, skin cells, and hair can clump together into a plug. A pimple develops when the plug gets infected with bacteria and begins to break down. Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) is a bacteria that live on the skin and develops pimples. Many studies suggest that the severity and frequency of acne depend on the strain of bacteria.
There are many more causes of acne such as:
Hormones
Androgen is a type of hormone and the levels of androgen increases when adolescence begins. It gets converted into estrogen in women. Higher levels of androgen levels cause the oil glands under the skin to grow. This leads to more sebum. Excessive sebum breaks down cellular walls in the pores, which in turn causes bacteria to grow.
Some of the other factors that trigger acne are:
• some medications that contain androgen and lithium
• cosmetics which are oily
• hormonal changes
• emotional stress
• menstruation
What are the Common Myths and Facts about Acne?
We all get acne breakouts from time to time, and there’s no shortage of folk wisdom about how to handle them. Let’s debunk five common myths about acne and know the truth.
Myth: Direct sunlight helps clear acne.
Fact: You may think that sun exposure will help dry up your face, but excess sunlight can irritate your skin and cause acne and its symptoms.
Myth: Junk food leads to acne.
Fact: Research shows that consuming oily foods do not lead to oilier skin. However, diet isn’t entirely off the hook when it comes to healthy skin – other foods such as milk have been associated with an increased chance of having it.
Myth: Scrubbing your face helps get rid of acne.
Fact: Cleaning your face helps to wash away dirt and sediment. Unfortunately, dirt buildup doesn’t directly result in pimples, so scrubbing your face once, or even a dozen times a day won’t clear up your face. Plus, excess scrubbing can irritate your skin and aggravate your symptoms.
Myth: Only teenagers get acne.
Fact: It can affect anyone of any age. Teenagers may be well-known sufferers, but some people are in their 20s and 30s when they have their first breakout.
Myth: Acne goes away on its own.
Fact: Acne can get worse if it is not treated on time! There are many treatment options available depending on your situation, but it all starts with a trip to the dermatologist!
These Myths and Facts about Acne will help you make an informed decision and go a long way in Acne Treatment.
How to Treat Acne at Home?
Acne Treatment depends on how persistent and severe the acne is. Mild acne can be effectively treated with gels, soaps, pads, lotions, creams, over-the-counter medications and home remedies.
Never squeeze or pick acne on your face. At times, it might appear tempting, but if squeezed, it will surely leave dark, clumsy spots on your face. Also, there are chances of spreading the germs, in unaffected parts of your face resulting in more acne! Instead, try out some natural remedies for Acne Treatment that will not only cure acne but also clear the spots on your skin, bringing in drastic changes:
Here are some home remedies to get rid of acne:
1. Apply Ice to Avoid the Burning Sensation
Applying ice cubes in the affected area will constrict the blood vessels of your skin, leaving a cooling sensation on your skin and getting rid of acne.
2. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is readily available in the market, as it serves to be the best possible Anti-fungal and anti-bacterial remedy. Since it does not have much side effects, it can be applied to almost all types of skin.
3. Egg Oil
Applying the oil from egg yolk is a highly recommendable option for healing pimples faster. The Omega-3 fatty acids, present in eggs, reduce inflammation and if one consistently massages the affected area with egg oil at least twice a day, it will help treat acne and give your skin a natural glow.
4. Potassium Alum
Potassium alum, readily available in the grocery stores is a natural astringent and is well known to reduce bleeding and shrunken the damaged tissue by the aid of its antiseptic effect.
Pro-tip: Apply it gently, without damaging the affected area.
5. Crushed Aspirins
Crush a few aspirin tablets and form a thick paste, by mixing it with water. Apply it on the skin, and leave it for drying. Wash it thoroughly after fifteen minutes, and you will find the acne has dried out.
Pro-tip: Do not leave it for more than fifteen minutes to avoid other health hazards!
6. Alter Your Diet Chart
Even though there has been no scientific evidence that acne is directly related to your food habits, there are certain things that can naturally improve your skin quality:
• Drink ample water throughout the day, as it will remove the toxins from your body.
• Avoid deep fried food, and highly refined sugar or salt.
• Include fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet.
Once you alter your diet chart slightly, you can easily find out the difference in your skin, and for that, you need no special tests proving whether acne is related to your diet or not!
7. Milk and Curd
Mix milk with curd and apply on your skin. Rinse it off after a few minutes.
8. Lemon
Rub lemon on the skin before sleeping, and then you can get the skin which does not have any acne breakout.
9. Clay
Take clay and mix it with water to create a paste and use it to remove harmful toxins and grime.
10. Cucumber
Grated cucumber applied on the face, and neck for 15 to 20 minutes has been found to be very useful for acne treatment.
11. Use Facial Packs for Acne Treatment
• The natural aloe-Vera, Calendula and lavender mixture can be applied on the face for acne treatment.
• Apply raw papaya on skin because it helps lessen the swelling and tenderness of acne.
• Raw papaya will also help lessen the swelling and tenderness of acne. Whisk together one tablespoon of honey; one egg whitened, one teaspoon glycerin (offered at drug and sweetness stores) and enough flour to create a paste. Apply on the affected areas. Leave the paste on for ten minutes and clean the face with warm water.
• Mix yoghurt with honey and lemon and apply to acne prone areas. Wash it off after 10 minutes.
• Take two tablespoons of raw honey and mix it with one teaspoon of coconut oil and ½ teaspoon of cinnamon. Rinse it off after 5 minutes.
Try to get a homemade facial pack to get glowing skin and get rid of acne.
12. Holy Basil Tea
Holy basil and sweet basil oils help to treat acne. Holy basil tea can be applied to the skin as a toner to treat acne.
13. Epsom Salt
Take 1 teaspoon of Epsom salt and mix it in ½ cup of water. Now take a cotton ball and dip it in the salt water and dab it on the acne prone areas. Keep it on your skin for a few minutes. Rinse it off with warm water followed by cool water. Do this once daily. Use a moisturiser later because Epsom salt can be slightly dehydrating for the skin.
14. Apple Cider Vinegar
There are many benefits of apple cider vinegar. Mix one part of water with one part of apple cider vinegar. Now take a cotton ball and dip it into the mixture. Dab it on the affected areas and rinse it off with cool water.
15. Baking Soda
Start by mixing 1 teaspoon of baking soda with enough water to make a smooth paste. Apply this on your skin and rinse with warm water after 5 minutes. Baking soda helps to balance the pH level of your skin and reduces inflammation.
16. Garlic for Acne Treatment
Take two to three garlic cloves and mash them. Mix them with water to form a smooth paste. Apply it on the affected area directly. Wash it off after 10 minutes.
The antibacterial properties of garlic help to fight acne. Do not forget to dilute garlic juice with water first.
17. Aloe Vera
Take out the gel from an aloe vera leaf. Apply fresh aloe vera gel on acne prone areas and rinse it off after 10 minutes.
18. Turmeric
Take turmeric powder and make a smooth paste by mixing it with enough water. Apply the paste on the affected areas and let it dry. Wash it after 5 to 10 minutes. To treat cystic acne, boil three tablespoons of turmeric in 3 cups of water until the solution thickens. Apply the paste and rinse it after 5 minutes.
19. Olive Oil
Take olive oil and massage it in circular motions for a few minutes. Leave it on your skin overnight.
20. Fuller’s Earth (Multani Mitti) for Acne Treatment
For this treatment, you will need two tablespoons Fuller’s earth, one teaspoon rosewater and 4- 5 drops of lemon juice. Mix the ingredients properly to form a smooth paste. Apply the paste on the skin and allow it to dry. Rinse it off once the skin dries.
21. Rice Water
Take ½ cup of uncooked rice and boil it in two cups of water. Boil until it is completely cooked. Strain and cool the water that remains. Take a fresh and clean cotton ball and dip it in the rice water and dab this all over your face. Rinse it off after 10 minutes.
22. Rose Water
Mix two tablespoons of sandalwood powder with one tablespoon of rose water. Apply this on your face and rinse it off after a few minutes.
23. Jojoba Oil
Massage jojoba oil on the affected areas and rinse it off after 20 minutes.
24. Neem Leaves
Take a few neem leaves and dry them in sunlight until they become crisp. Grind neem leaves to get a fine powder. Take one teaspoon of neem powder and mix it with one teaspoon of Multani Mitti and rose water to form a thick paste. Apply this thick paste on the affected area and rinse it off after 20 minutes.
25. Glycerin
Apply glycerin directly on acne and leave it on for a few hours. Do this two times a day.
Acne treatment by Consuming Vitamins and Minerals
The truth is that consuming vitamins and minerals help a lot in acne treatment. Minerals and vitamins help in eliminating toxins from the body and maintain hormonal balance. By adding more Vitamins and Minerals in your daily diet, you will be able to prevent Acne.
Vitamin A
Foods rich in vitamin A helps to treat and prevent acne quickly and effectively. Do you know about Accutane or Roaccutane? These medication has Vitamin A, and are essential with regards to Acne treatment. Vitamin A takes the defensive tissues of the skin and fortifies them which forestalls Acne and gives you clear skin. It helps in the lessening of sebum generation which is a noteworthy reason for Acne.
A recent study demonstrates that Vitamin A can help diminish acne and that deficiency of vitamin A is one of the causes of acne. You should also remember that vitamin A, when taken in a large amount can be harmful. Consume vitamin A but in a normal quantity.
Vitamin B6 or complex
Vitamin B6 is another essential vitamin which is required to fight acne. Eating foods rich in vitamin B6 helps keep our hormones in balance and prevent the breakout of acne.
Vitamin B6 helps to keep your skin tone healthy, and it also helps to reduce anxiety which is one of the causes of acne.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C helps to repair the skin, promote regrowth of tissues and keep your skin acne free. You must eat foods rich in vitamin C such as lemon, orange, grapes, etc. to prevent acne. Vitamin C promotes healthy skin, and that is why you have to make sure that you add foods that are rich in vitamin C in your daily diet. It will help you and your skin stay healthy.
Zinc
Zinc is the most intense and successful Acne battling mineral. Inflammation is one of the causes of acne and zinc has excellent anti-inflammatory properties that help to fight acne.
Vitamin B5
Vitamin B5 deficiency is thought to be the cause of acne, and the use of it can help alleviate acne. Vitamin B5 plays an important role in producing Coenzyme A because it metabolises your skin oil. A deficiency of these vitamins results in developing bacteria that clog your skin oil and results in acne. An effective acne remedy should be a combination of natural home remedies, some medicines, creams and much more. The acne can be controlled using medicines. Homemade remedies begin with careful cleaning of your skin.
An Overview of Back Acne
One of the most horrible things that a person suffers from, mostly during the pre-pubertal period, is back acne, which is conveniently called as bacne means acne on the back. It can be of different forms, like pimples, blackheads, pustules and even cysts. Acne appearing on the face is much more noticeable. But acne appears on the back too. They are not only irritating but also painful.
Moreover, they cause a problem while wearing clothes or even if you are trying to carry a knapsack. Continuous appearance of acne can even leave deep scars on the surface of your skin. Therefore, it is better to know the causes of back acne and how to get rid of back acne.
What Causes Back Acne
There is no definite reason for back acne, and it can happen for various reasons. The most logical reason behind it is the clogging of the oil glands or the sebaceous glands. Due to excessive secretion of oils or sebum from the sebaceous glands, the pores get blocked, thus giving rise to bacteria that causes back acne. Even the person who sweats the most is prone to back acne and facial acne. Hormonal imbalance and stress can also cause back acne. It can even occur due to the clothes we put on.
Sometimes tight-fitting clothes and synthetic fibre made clothes can lead to the occurrence of back acne. Synthetic clothes trap in the perspiration or the sebum that our body gives out and thus creates blemishes on our skin. It can happen due to unhygienic conditions and also for the presence of dead cells on your skin. In recent times, the intake of oily food has become a significant reason for bacne. And at times it happens due to friction, and in some people, it can be caused due to the ingestion of dairy product or something that the person is allergic to.
How to Heal Back Acne
The treatment and healing of bacne depend upon, what type of acne you are suffering from. Mild back acne can be cured through mild procedures at home while severe acne like cyst has to be treated by a dermatologist. If you have mild back acne, then you just have to maintain a daily skin course:
–Wash your back every day with an antiseptic cleanser and let your skin dry thoroughly after the wash. It’s better to avoid the regular bathing soap.
–Then apply benzoyl peroxide gel or cream on the affected area. You can also apply a lotion which contains benzoyl peroxide with alpha hydroxy acid for the most advantageous effect.
–Back acne can be prevented by scrubbing the dead cells out of your skin. It’s better to use a sugar scrub or a not so abrasive sponge or loofah to remove the dead skin cells on a weekly basis.
Well, don’t use harsh scrubber otherwise it will increase irritation. It is recommended to wear skin friendly clothes like cotton clothes. It will be better to take a shower after a workout or after any sports.
Your food habits also play an essential part in the prevention as well as cure of back acne. Water is a natural toxin regulator. Drink plenty of water so that the toxin formed in your body is flushed out naturally. It’s healthier to stay away from fatty or junk food, especially street food which is unhygienic and spicy. Don’t stress yourself too much and have adequate rest, which will help in balancing your hormones. Include lots of fibrous fruits and veggies in your food chart. And keep away from smoking or alcohol consumption. Follow these tips to prevent back acne and get a glowing back.
How to Treat Acne Scars
Acne scars is a skin condition that a lot of youngsters have to bear with and makes them conscious. In any case, this does not imply that being a grown-up makes you acne free. There are many treatment options for acne scars that you can try.
Citrus Based Solution
The citrus extract present in vegetables and organic products is exceptionally crucial for getting rid of acne scars. Juice from natural citrus products can be put on the face or skin. This can be left on the skin for the night and washed off the next morning. If you keep up with this process, you can get your scars blurred and have your skin redness conditioned down.
Vitamin A
Tomatoes too are rich in vitamin A, and C. Vitamin C obstructs the emission of sebum which is in charge of advancing acne breakouts. Wearing a tomato mash cover overnight can blur acne scars.
Lemon Juice Toner
Lemon juice has antiseptic qualities that kill bacteria that lead to acne. Moreover, its anti-inflammatory properties also help to reduce redness and inflammation. Apply lemon juice on your skin and rinse it off after 30 minutes. Do not step out in the sun right after applying lemon juice.
Medical Treatment
Dermatologists might recommend blanching creams which can be used alone or with retinoids, and also gentle steroids which help to treat acne scars. Protect your skin from harmful rays of the sun by applying good sunscreen lotion to treat acne scar as these medications might bring about redness, brief tingling, sunburn, and dry skin.
Chemical Peel for Acne Scars
A chemical peel is an effective strategy used to enhance the surface of the skin by sloughing off dead skin cells with the utilisation of compound arrangements. It requires the use of corrosive, which blazes the external layer of the skin and takes outage marks. After the treatment, the person will get smooth skin without acne and wrinkles. However, the person may experience some ill effects.
Laser Treatment
Laser treatment is also provided for acne treatment, and it might require repeat sessions that can keep going for around 15 to 30 minutes. This method is fairly like compound peels as it evacuates the upper layers of the skin. A carbon dioxide laser is utilised to vaporise the skin’s surface layers to permit the new skin to develop. Specialists then apply anti-infection balms to anticipate diseases while the skin is recovering.
After the method, patients are prescribed to utilise gentle lotions and shampoos. Now and again, torment and swelling might emerge. Patients are likewise encouraged to utilise ice packs alongside painkillers to decrease uneasiness and swelling.
Consult your dermatologist first with what kind of treatment you need to go in for in wiping out age spots, in light of your skin sort and condition.
This was all about the types, causes, and treatment of acne. If you have a severe acne problem, do not hesitate to consult a dermatologist and get a health checkup done.
