Skin Care:

Acne Control and Management

Acne has been the bain of many a teenagers life over the years, but it can also affect adults too. I was one of the lucky ones as a teenager, who very rarely had spots, and was the envy of a lot of my friends. It was only after I became pregnant with my first child in my late twenties that my skin became a problem. I thought the spots would clear up after the baby was born, but that was not the case. In the end I consulted my doctor and he told me I had 'acne'.

People do not realise how important keeping skin clean is. Cleansing should be done every day, and acne prone skin is usually very oily so a toner or astringent is recommended for use after cleansing. Cleansers cleanse the skin deep down and open up the pores; the astringent or toner closes the pores. Some toners can be quite harsh so there are different ones for different skin types.

Acne skins also need to be treated with medication containing anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. It is bacteria on the skin that causes it to become red and inflamed. Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis are the pus-forming bacterium.

To successfully treat the above bacterium a remedy containing benzoyl peroxide can be used. In strong concentrations this chemical can be dangerous as it is highly flammable and toxic. In acne treatment of weak concentration of one part peroxide to two parts benzoyl is usually used.

Not all acne treatments contain benzoyl peroxide, some may contain sulfur and salicylic acid. These ingredients are often found in over-the-counter acne treatments.

Acne prone skin produces more dead skin cells than is normal, this condition is called retention hyperkeratosis. Exfoliation removes the build-up of dead skin cells which clog up the pores. There are two types of exfoliaton, physical and chemical.

Acne is a medical problem, and with all medical problems it is best to seek help and advice from a professional. They can advise on the best course of action to take, and whether or not prescription medications are required.

Not all acne sufferers need to seek further advice from a medical professional, but there are others who will need the specialist advice of a dermatologist. Whatever the severity of your acne the outcome can be a positive one.

Please call back soon as we will be adding many more informative and helpful articles on the topic of acne, symptoms, causes and, most importantly, acne treatments!

More Information About Acne: Symptoms, Treatments and Causes:

More acne info very soon...