Proactive Acne Treatment

Acne is one of the most common skin disorder suffered by young or adolescent ones. The main cause of this is the hormonal imbalance, lifestyle, exposure to dirt and pollutants

Acne Vulgaris is a condition where there is chronic eruption of comedones, papules, pustules, and cysts occurring primarily in adolescence. The process includes retention of sebum in sebaceous glands due to increased production. This then plugs the ducts. When these enlarge, they are called comedones. Whiteheads are closed comedones while blackheads are due to the exposure of the open gland orifices thus exposing it and from chemical changes occur.

Cysts are formed from very large comedones. The bacterium, Propionibacterium acnes on the other hand breaks down the retained sebum, causing a spontaneous chemical change which forms fatty acids. This causes local inflammation and induces a foreign body reaction. Symptoms are aggravated by application of greasy or oily cosmetics and by repetitive pricking or squeezing of lesions. Healing of pustules, a circumscribed elevation of the skin and contain pus, may be protracted, and may leave pits or scars.

The main cause is unknown, but it has been said to have a genetic predisposition. It comes on about the time of puberty and typically resolves within five to eight years, but may persist into the middle and late 20s or beyond. It may occur in association with many diseases. Acne typically gets worse during times of emotional stress.

There is the appearance of lesions ranging from blackheads, whiteheads, papules, pustules, cysts. These may vary in number, distribution, and severity on the face, upper back, and chest. Spontaneous remission occurs but may take years. Severe cases of acne may leave some scarring.

Acne rosacea is a reddish facial eruption, which usually occurs in the middle-aged and elderly. The main cause is unknown and occurs more commonly in persons with migraine headaches. It responds to antibiotic treatment. There is burning and flushing of the face, with patchy or diffuse rosy tint, papules, and sometimes pustules or excessive sebum production. The cheeks, nose, and chin show a faint to bright inflammatory blush. Papules, pustules, telangiectases are visible patches of dilated skin vessels. This will also cause some degree of oiliness. The eyelids may become inflamed including the cornea. Rhinophyma or marked hyperplasia of the nose may also occur.

Manifestations of the acne vary from one person to another. The cause of the acne is an important factor in determining treatment modalities that would proactively treat the acne.