Acne problem and its treatment
Acne vulgaris (or simply acne) is a long term skin condition characterized by areas of blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, greasy skin, and possibly scarring.The resulting appearance may lead to anxiety, reduced self-esteem, and in extreme cases, depression or thoughts of suicide. Genetics is estimated to be the cause of 80% of cases. The role of diet as a cause is unclear. Neither cleanliness nor sunlight appear to be involved. However, cigarette smoking does increase the risk of developing acne and worsens its severity. Acne mostly affects skin with a greater number of oil glands including the face, upper part of the chest, and back. During puberty in both sexes, acne is often brought on by an increase in androgens such as testosterone. ou’re not alone. In fact, over 60+ million Americans & Canadians suffer from acne and unfortunately many have difficulty find a treatment that works. For many individuals, exfoliants, microdermabrasion and chemical peels can provide noticeable benefits, as exfoliating helps clear pores of dead skin, dirt, and oil. With safe techniques, exfoliating at home or treatments in a professional environment can unplug pores, allowing subsequent treatments and products to work more effectively. Aesthetic Nurse Chantal Ward, RN cautions those who suffer from acne to not “over do it”. “Many patients with acne tend to panic and over-exfoliate, while some use harsh products that will eventually dry out the skin and lead to breakouts. It is important to establish a sound routine at home. When choosing acne skin care make try to use a system that is ph-balanced, has ingredients that will kill bacteria, is free of toxins and allergens and most importantly, can hydrate without clogging”. Affordable laser treatments such as Isolaz™ have also proven to be effective as the light kills bacteria, and Isolaz™ employs gentle suction that clears pores of sebum and congestion without damaging the skin.
Pimples-
A pimple, zit or spot is a kind of comedo and one of the many results of excess oil getting trapped in the pores. Some of the varieties are pustules or papules. Pimples can be treated by various acne medications prescribed by a physician, or purchased at a pharmacy with a wide variety of treatments. Common over-the-counter medications for pimples are benzoyl peroxide and/or salicylic acid and antibacterial agents such as triclosan. Both medications can be found in many creams and gels used to treat acne (acne vulgaris) through topical application. Both medications help skin slough off more easily, which helps to remove bacteria faster. Before applying them the patient needs to wash his or her face with warm water and dry. A cleanser may also be used for that purpose. Acne rosacea is not caused by bacterial infection. It is commonly treated with tretinoin. A regimen of keeping the affected skin area clean plus the regular application of these topical medications is usually enough to keep acne under control, if not at bay altogether.
Blackhead-
A comedo(blackhead) is a clogged hair follicle (pore) in the skin. Keratin (skin debris) combines with oil to block the follicle. A comedo can be open (blackhead) or closed by skin (whitehead), and occur with or without acne. The word comedo comes from Latin to suggest the worm-like look of a blackhead that has been secreted. The plural of comedo is comedones. The chronic inflammatory condition that usually includes both comedones and inflamed papules and pustules (pimples) is called acne. Infection causes inflammation and the development of pus. Whether or not a skin condition classifies as acne depends on the amount of comedones and infection. Comedones should not be confused with sebaceous filaments. Comedo-type ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is not related to the skin conditions discussed here. DCIS is a non-invasive form of breast cancer, but comedo-type DCIS may be more aggressive and so may be more likely to become invasive.
RosaceaRosacea is a chronic skin condition characterized by facial redness, small and superficial dilated blood vessels on facial skin, papules, pustules, and swelling. Rosacea affects all ages and has four subtypes, three affecting the skin and the fourth affecting the eyes (ocular type). Left untreated it worsens over time. Treatment in the form of topical steroids can aggravate the condition.
Rosacea typically begins as redness on the central face across the cheeks, nose, or forehead, but can also less commonly affect the neck, chest, ears, and scalp. In some cases, additional signs, such as semi-permanent redness, telangiectasia (dilation of superficial blood vessels on the face), red domed papules (small bumps) and pustules, red gritty eyes, burning and stinging sensations, and in some advanced cases, a red lobulated nose (rhinophyma), may develop. The exact cause of rosacea is unknown. Triggers that cause episodes of flushing and blushing play a part in the development of rosacea. Exposure to temperature extremes, strenuous exercise, heat from sunlight, severe sunburn, stress, anxiety, cold wind, and moving to a warm or hot environment from a cold one such as heated shops and offices during the winter can each cause the face to become flushed. Certain foods and drinks can also trigger flushing such as alcohol, foods and beverages containing caffeine (especially, hot tea and coffee), foods high in histamines, and spicy
food. Medications and topical irritants have also been known to trigger rosacea flares. Some acne and wrinkle treatments that have been reported to cause rosacea including microdermabrasion and chemical peels, as well as high dosages of isotretinoin, benzoyl peroxide, and tretinoin. Steroid induced rosacea is the term given to rosacea caused by the use of topical or nasal steroids. These steroids are often prescribed for seborrheic dermatitis. Dosage should be slowly decreased and not immediately stopped to avoid a flare up.
References[1].http://www.claritymedspa.ca/teenage-acne-common-acne-treatmentscan-help-skin-clear/ [2].http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosacea [3].http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seborrhoeic_dermatitis [4].http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pimple [5].http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pimple