Acne Control

Acne is a problem that many teenagers and some adults face.  It can make teenagers very shy and introverted.  Although acne is not medically dangerous, it can hurt a teenager and even an adult psychologically.

What is Acne and Who Can Get It?
Acne is a single or a cluster of red, raised, fluid filled spots.  Acne can appear almost anywhere on the body however, the face, neck, back, and shoulders are the most common places.
Acne is most common in teenagers who have reached puberty.  Adults do get acne as well although it is not as common.  Genetics can have a part in whether or not you will suffer from severe acne.  If a child’s parents had acne as a child, they may be more likely.  Boys are also more likely to get acne than girls.  This is because they have more skin oils.  One other factor in a teen developing acne is their immune system.  Some people with lower immune systems can be extra sensitive to the bacteria that gets caught in the hair follicles.
Acne occurs when your body starts producing more of an oil called sebum.  Some people have more “sticky cells” than others.  When the sebum mixes with the sticky cell it can clog a hair follicle in the skin.  This is what causes acne.

The Types of Acne
There are two main types of acne pimples.  Which kind you get depends on whether the air touches it or not.
White heads are the first and more common type.  A white head is caused when the hair follicle is clogged with oil and skin cells. This acne is typically red and can occasionally have a white tip.
The other type of acne is called black heads.  Black heads are caused the same way as white heads except the air touches it and it turns black.  Some people believe that black heads are the result of dirt but this is not true.

What Factors Can Make Acne Worse
There are a few things that can make a person’s acne worse.  One thing that should be avoided to keep acne from getting worse and even may prevent it is oil-based make up.  This make up can cause the hair follicles to clog if they haven’t already.  If they have clogged already and there is already acne, the acne will not get any better as long as you are using oil-based make up.  Some other things that can affect your acne are hair spray, gel, and tanning oil.
With girls, menstruation can cause acne to either appear or to become worse. The change in a girl’s hormones during menstruation is what causes this.  Squeezing and popping pimples and rubbing and washing the skin roughly can also make acne worse.
There are some things that teenagers and even adults believe do cause acne.  Many of these are myths.  Eating greasy foods like french fries and pizza do not cause acne or make it worse.  Chocolate and soft drinks do not either.

Controlling Your Acne
There are many ways to control acne.  The first way is to try to prevent it.  Keeping the pours clean and open is the first way of preventing and controlling acne.  It is also a good idea for girls to avoid face make up.
A way to control acne if you have already have it is to use over the counter medications.  There are many so-called acne remedies and treatments that you can buy over the counter.  These products contain Benzoyl Peroxide.  These treatments come in either the form of gel, lotion, soap, pads, or creams.  Some of these treatments for controlling your acne can do more harm than good at first.  Some people can have a reaction to the acne controlling treatment and they can get some side effects such as redness or skin irritation.  It can take up to eight weeks to get rid of your acne completely.  If after eight weeks of using the over the over the counter medication and your acne has still not improved, it may be necessary to call a doctor.  If your acne is one or two small pimples, a doctor will not be necessary. 
If you suffer from bad acne and you have tried the over the counter treatments with no improvement, it may be time to call a doctor.  Either your doctor or your child’s pediatrician can refer you to a dermatologist.  A dermatologist is a doctor who is trained in diseases and disorders of the skin.  If you are unable to get rid of the acne on your own, there are a few things that the dermatologist.
One way of controlling acne that a dermatologist will try is medication.  The medication that a dermatologist can give you is much stronger than what you can get over the counter.  Retonids such as Trenton in are often prescribed by doctors in order to control acne. 

Acne can be a very deviating skin disorder to both teenagers and adults alike.  The more you know about preventing and controlling acne, the better off you will be.  Acne is a part of like.  At some point or another everyone will experience, some more than others.