Acne
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- Acne treatment
- Diet for acne
- Nutritions and supplements for acne control
- Acne herbal treatment
- Combinational treatment for acne
- Acupressure treatment for acne
Acne is an inflammatory condition of the skin marked by pimples, whiteheads, and blackheads. It is caused by a problem with the sebaceous glands, the oil-secreting glands that lubricate and moisturize the skin. These are found in large numbers on the face, chest, and back. Acne is particularly common among teenagers. As a result of hormonal shifts associated with adolescence, there is an increase in the number of sebaceous glands, with a consequent increase in the production of oil, or sebum.
Normally, sebum passes through glandular canals to the surface of the skin. But when the glands suffer hormonal overload, the oils can harden and obstruct a glandular canal, preventing sebum from reaching the surface of the skin as it should. Hormone production also causes an abnormal increase in the population of Propionibacterium acnes, normally benign bacteria that live in the glandular canals. The combination of the increased bacteria count stimulated by hormonal shifts and the obstruction of sebum cause inflammation to occur, leading to the characteristic tender red, swollen bump we call a pimple.
The skin is quickly affected by any hormonal imbalance. Hormone production increases during puberty, which explains why so many teenagers suffer from acne. Hormonal shifts also occur before, during, and after menopause. It is not unusual for women to experience acne outbreaks during these times, but they are usually short-lived. Emotional stress is another contributor to acne.
Acne can also be caused by external irritation, or it may occur following the indigestion of an irritating substance. There is one form of acne that appears as hard, cone-shaped plugs at the corners of the mouth and affects the surrounding skin. There is also a more severe form of acne, and thick, raised scars. Rosacea, a chronic skin condition sometimes seen in adults, resembles acne, but is a separate disorder.
Even newborn babies can get acne. Sometimes, in response to withdrawal from the mother's hormone, infant's oil glands become enlarged and small pimples develop on his or her nose, cheeks, forehead, back, and/or chest. The pimples look just a miniature version of teenage acne, which is exactly what they are; the same oil glands are involved.
Both teenage and adult acne may require intervention. Chronic acne, as opposed to the occasional pimple, is a trying experience. If you suffer from long-term acne, prompt attention may be needed in order to avoid the pockmarks and scars that may ensure if the condition remains untreated. Understanding why acne develops and what to do about it is the first step toward eliminating it.
It is important to realize that most often acne is not a result of poor hygiene. All the washing and scrubbing in the world will not alter the underlying condition. Acne can, however, be aggravated by many commonly used cosmetic products, especially moisturizers, which often contain oils, such as mineral oil or petrolatum, that block the oil glands. Other potential culprits are ammonia, artificial colors, ethanol, EDTA, formaldehyde, nitrates, polyvinylpyrolidone, and artificial fragrances.
- Treatment for acne : This section provides information about which skin treatments are most effective for curing acne.
- Acne diet : It gives information and guidelines to choose your sample diet to eliminate acne.
- Acne nutritions and supplements : This section provides comprehensive list of nutritional supplements for Acne.
- Herbal treatments for acne : This section focuses on various traditional herbal treatments used to cure acne.
- Acne combinational treatment : This contains infromation about acne combinational treatments which includes herbal, homeopathic, and nutritional treatments.
- Acne acupressure treatment: This section provides information about various acupressure points on body to cure acne.