Understanding Body Acne and Treatment Options

Acne is a common skin disease that is characterized by a variety of lesions: comedones (whiteheads and blackheads) papules (raised red areas), and pustules (raised skin eruptions filled with pus). Acne is most often found on the forehead, nose and cheeks, but body acne is also possible, and the legs, back and shoulders can be affected. Acne generally starts during adolescence and fades considerably during the 20s or 30s, but occasionally, someone can pass through adolescence unscathed and develop acne in his or her 30s or 40s.

The exact cause of acne vulgaris (the word acne comes for the Greek word for peak, and vulgaris means common) is not known, but an increase in hormonal activity, e.g., during puberty or menstruation, common skin bacteria, stress, and sebaceous glands (small glands under the skin) that are producing too much sebum (a thick secretion of fat and dead skin) may all contribute. There is likely no single cause for acne, but many factors, and there are many other explanations for why it occurs.

But although the exact cause of acne is not known, the process of the disease has been clearly outlined. The sebaceous glands are attached to hair follicles that start below the surface of the skin, and sebum normally passes to the surface of the skin through the hair follicles. However, in acne, there is an overproduction of sebum, and the skin cells that line the follicle and normally move to the surface with sebum proliferate. The combination of excess sebum and dead skin cells blocks the hair follicle, sebum builds up, and a whitehead or a blackhead is produced (Many people think blackheads are dirt in the pores; that’s not true. The black color comes from a chemical change in the sebum/dead skin compound and from the presence of pigment cells). If the process continues, bacteria that are normally present in the skin (Propionibaterium acnes) find this environment very conducive to growth. The result? Infection, inflammation and the pus-filled lesions that most people associate with acne.

Acne can’t be cured, but it can be managed, and this can be a challenge, especially if you have body acne with widespread lesions. Traditionally, people have been instructed to avoid certain foods such as french fries, potato chips, chocolate and others, but there is no definite evidence that these foods cause acne or make a pre-existing condition worse. The most basic and the simplest steps in treating acne are to keep the skin clean and oil-free (a real challenge for people with body acne). That sounds simple, but there are literally hundreds of acne products on the market – most of which promise more than they deliver – so it’s hard to know which one to choose The quick answer is that there are no ‘miracle’ treatments and everything you need you can find at the local pharmacy. Use a mild, water-based skin cleanser that will not clog pores and use an exfoliant. Exfoliation removes the surface layer of dead skin cells and helps keep the pores open and draining.

The second step to treating body acne is topical treatments. There are a variety of these and you may have to experiment – at times with help from your doctor – to find one that works. Benzoyl peroxide is an antibacterial that can be purchased over the counter, and topical antibiotics such as erythromycin, clindamycin, and tetracycline can be used. These are especially useful for people with body acne as they can be applied directly to the areas with lesions.

If topical treatments are ineffective, you doctor may prescribe oral antibiotics (e.g., erythromycin, tetracycline) or for women, oral contraceptives; oral medications are also especially useful for people with body acne as a) topical treatments can be awkward or inconvenient to apply in hard to reach places, and b) oral medication is delivered directly to the affected areas below the surface of the skin. Oral retinoids such as isotretinoin reduce sebaceous gland secretions and can also be effective and light therapy has been used with some success; again, these treatments would be very convenient for people with body acne. Finally, one of the most important ways to treat acne is to use patience. It may take months for some of these therapies to make a difference and if you have a bad case of body acne, it can be difficult to wait.

        

Acne Medication Comes With Many Options

For those who suffer through the embarrassment of acne, getting rid of it is often the number one priority. When acne medication is required to get the job done, those looking to buy will find there are lots of options out there. From natural remedies and over-the-counter medications to actual prescriptions, acne treatment isn’t a one-size-fits-all proposition.
Seeking out the right treatment can be a rather frustrating proposition, especially for someone with moderate to severe acne. If the condition worsens, the chances for permanent scarring seem to increase exponentially, making the need for a “cure” urgent to those who suffer. Unfortunately, with no hard and fast cause, acne can be a tough nut to crack. The reality is while many different acne medication possibilities work for some people, they do not work for all. What works for one person very likely will not for another.
With that in mind, the hunt for the right acne medication might take a little time and some trial and error along the way. When the right remedy is found, however, it can be well worth the effort.
Although there’s no real guaranteed cure, there are plenty of acne medication options available. From products that can be picked up in almost any store to prescriptions and mail-order products, there are solutions worth exploring. The following are just a few different types of acne medication. These work with varying results in different people:
Benzoyl peroxide: This might be the most popular acne-fighting medication going. It is found in both prescription and over-the-counter strengths and is included in lots of different treatment options. Benzoyl peroxide does tend to dry out the skin, but it works very well for some people. Generally, it is recommended to try this in its lowest possible dosage before moving up to higher strengths.
Adapalene: Coming in a variety of forms, this acne medication helps control acne and prevent breakouts. It has a propensity to dry out the skin, like many other forms of acne treatment.
Accutane: This prescription strength acne medication has had varying results. It is considered a solid alternative after other forms of treatment have failed. The medication is a powerful form of vitamin A. Taking it, unfortunately, does some with some major side effect possibilities, including birth defects, allergic reaction and more.
Antibiotics: Medications such as Erythromycin have proven very useful in treating acne. They generally are prescribed in gel or ointment form and might carry some side effects.
Retin A: This is another form of vitamin A used to treat acne and a host of other conditions. It can have some side effects. This medication can be found in a variety of strengths and is also used for treating such things as wrinkles and brown spots on the skin.
Treating acne can be a frustrating proposition. Since the condition doesn’t have a single cause, finding the right “cure” can be hit or miss. There are a host of acne medications out there that can help. From over-the-counter products to actual prescription strength medications, there is a way to fight back.

        

100percentnature. Acne Vulgaris, the 8 Stages of Acne, Skin Care, Adult Acne Treatment, and Scar Removal Options

What is Acne Vulgaris? This is a medical term used to describe most cases of acne. It really isn’t as bad as it sounds! Vulgaris doesn’t mean that the acne is vulgar, only that it means that it is common. Be aware that there are many factors that contribute to acne. First, research indicates a propensity for acne may well be inherited. Parents who had acne in their teenage and young adult years may have children who are likewise prone to having acne in their teen and young adult years. Next, clogged skin pores are certainly a major contributing factor for acne out-breaks. When pores become clogged with an excess production of sebum and mix with dead skin cells or makeup that isn’t sufficiently cleaned from the skin, problems start to develop. When skin pores are clogged, bacteria are produced and pus starts to form causing a pimple, a white head or a black head. The most commonly accepted causes for acne are hormonal imbalances. Hormones in boys and girls may become unbalanced during puberty, during menstrual cycles, when starting or stopping birth control pills, during times of extreme stress, and at other times as well. All of the above situations can cause the body to over produce a male hormone which causes the sebaceous glands to produce sebum. The sebum combines with dead skin cells to block pores and acne develops. So, basically, it still comes back to blocked pores. Other causes for acne include a lack of vitamins, minerals and trace elements that the body needs to maintain a healthy skin. Vitamins A, E and B6 are especially important in maintaining healthy skin as are zinc, essential fatty acids (EFA), Chromium and Selenium. Most diets of teenagers and young adults do not contain these vitamins, minerals, and trace elements in sufficient quantity to maintain healthy skin and to help prevent the onset of Acne. Acne: The 8 Stages: Full blown, Stage 8 acne doesn’t usually develop overnight. Acne is progressive condition. Acne is one of the diseases that are so common that it is sometimes just disregarded as a serious problem…like the common cold. It has been estimated that 95 of people will have at least a mild case of acne at some point in their lives. Acne, much like the common cold, is usually treated by the sufferer with over-the-counter medications that alleviate the symptoms of the disease in the belief that it will simply go away all by itself….eventually. And, it usually does but not always. Most people throughout their life will have the occasional pimple, zit, white head or black head. Although these pesky little outbreaks do seem to appear at the most inopportune times, they really aren’t a serious problem that requires medical attention. A little over-the-counter acne facial wash to help prevent another outbreak will usually take care of the problem. It isn’t a big deal. This kind of acne is referred to as Stage 0 and really nothing to be concerned about unless the acne progresses to subsequent stages. Acne stages are graded from 0 through 8. Zero is the least severe and 8 is the most serious of the stages. The stages are as follows: Stage 1: There will be white heads and black heads with some mild inflammation. The outbreaks will start to occur more frequently. Using products that contain Benzyl Peroxide are in order. Stage 2: There will be some papules in addition to the white heads and black heads. Papules are skin lesions that are solid and raised but usually small. This is still considered to be a very mild case of acne. Treatment can be continued using over-the-counter products that contain Salicylic Acid. Stage 3: Stage 3 is the same as stage 2 but with more frequent occurrences. Stage 4-5: Pustules begin to appear. Now, it’s time to schedule an appointment at a dermatologist. Stage 6-7: Nodules and cysts are forming. Scarring is going to start happening at this stage. Your dermatologist will begin to take more drastic action. Stage 8: Breakouts are almost continuous and include nodules and cysts. There are modern technologies that will help and your dermatologist will advise you. Acne Skin Care: As we know, our hair follicles secrete sebum. Sebum makes its way up the hair follicles to the skin pores where it lubricates and protects the skin. Sometimes there are oil glands which get overworked, get enlarge, and produce too much sebum. The sebum can get trapped in the hair follicle. When this happens the pores get clogged and black heads or white heads form and the bacteria start to multiply at an alarmingly fast rate. Once you understand this process, you can see the reasoning behind the advice about caring for skin that has black heads, white heads and pustules on it. The first piece of advice about caring for acne infected skin is to never pick at the pimples. Don’t try to pop them and drain them. This will not cure them no matter what anybody tells you. Popping them will only serve to make them worse…not better. However, there are things that you can do that really will help. The first thing you can do is to wash your face with a mild soap or a sulfur based soap. Wash your face with just your finger tips. Don’t ever use a wash cloth as it holds germs and bacteria. Rinse your face with clean water several times to ensure you remove all traces of soap, and then pat it dry with a clean towel. Do not rub your face with the towel and never use the same towel twice without it being clean. Take a good multi-vitamin and multi-mineral supplement every day and drink at least 8 full glasses of water (not soda) every day. The vitamins and minerals will supply nutrients that are absent from most diets and the water will help to hydrate the skin as well as to flush toxins out of your system. If you use over-the-counter acne medications, be certain that you follow the directions carefully and that you use a good sunscreen when you are outdoors as some acne medications make the skin more prone to sunburn. Adult Acne: Acne is not just a problem for teenagers and young adults. Once a person survives the teenage years, you would think that they don’t have to deal with the embarrassment of acne any longer, right? Well….not exactly. The sad truth is that about 25 of women will have acne at some time in their 20s, 30s or even 40s. Although there has never been a real cause established, it is believed that most adult acne is caused by the same thing that causes teenage acne…hormonal changes. A doctor will sometimes prescribe hormonal treatments that will clear a case of adult acne right up. As with teenage acne, adult acne is not caused by diet. Stress has often been cited as one possible cause of adult acne but that assertion has never been verified. Treating adult acne is a bit more difficult than treating teenage acne. Adults have the concern of drying out their skin that teenagers don’t normally have to deal with. Adults don’t want pimples; but, they don’t want wrinkles, either. A dermatologist should be consulted if the acne is long lasting or is severe. There are many treatments that are available to adults who suffer from acne. Most of the effective treatments are only available by prescription. Adults should not use over-the-counter acne medications that are intended for the treatment of teenage acne. These products tend to dry the skin and adults need to be concerned about wrinkling as well as acne. A case of adult acne is not a happy occurrence to say because those ugly bumps always seem to occur at the most inopportune times and while a teenager may be embarrassed by acne, an adult is even more devastated. Fortunately, there are treatments and a dermatologist has a lot of weapons in his arsenal to fight adult acne. Acne Scar Removal Options: Life hardly seems fair sometimes! First, a teenager or a young adult must suffer through acne, treat it, and have to live with it…sometimes for years. Then the acne is gone; but, the scars are there as a painful reminder of the mental and emotional agony the acne sufferer had to endure. You’re right, life doesn’t seem fair; but, acne is one of those sad facts of life that some if not most of us have to deal with. The good news is there is help; unfortunately, it isn’t free or cheap! There are two basic procedures that are used to remove ugly pits and scars left over from a bad case of teenage or young adult acne. Laser resurfacing is the least expensive of the two available acne scar removal procedures. Dermabrasion is the second procedure. Laser resurfacing can be done in the dermatologist office instead of a hospital so that provides a much greater financial savings. A laser is used to remove the top layer of skin and also to tighten the middle layer of skin. The dermatologist will use a local anesthetic to help reduce the procedure pain. It usually takes several days for the skin to heal after a laser resurfacing procedure is completed. Very often, multiple resurfacing treatments must be done to achieve the desired results. The second procedure used to remove acne scarring is called dermabrasion. In this procedure, a rotating wire brush is used to remove the top layer of skin. The body continually produces new skin and the new layer will be smoother than the layer that was removed. It usually takes between 10 days and 3 weeks for the skin to heal after a dermabrasion treatment. Once again, multiple treatments may be required to eliminate the scarring. Acne may seem to be a devastating condition but with proper skin routine, vitamins, and over the counter products, most cases will not be severe. Remember, proper cleansing goes a long way towards minimizing outbreaks, so don’t be afraid to cleanse your face 5 – 6 times a day of more if needed. Fight acne by being smart. Take as many preventative steps as possible to avoid situations that create the opportunity for acne to develop. If acne does afflict you, acne treatment Just click

        

What options are available to diminish body acne?

I have persistant chest acne and back acne. I’ve tried using regular acne products on it, but it doesn’t seem to be working at all, and it seems to make my body acne look worse.

I’m a very self-conscious person and I need to know what options are available. What products are the most effective? And where can I find these products? Please help.