Article by Karan Naidoo

Almost everybody has his or her acne horror story to tell. It might have happened when they were in high school, during college or even as adults. Regardless what gender or race you may have, acne affected your life one way or another. If you currently have acne or if you’re reading this to prevent acne, then continue reading on. Think of this as your crash course in acne 101.

As they say in the movies, you need to get to know your enemy before you destroy it. How will you ever eliminate acne for good if you don’t know what it is and why it occurs? With that said, here’s the 411 on skin and acne.

THE SKIN

Also known as the largest organ in the body, it consists of 3 layers, namely:

The epidermis is the top-most layer of the skin. This is the layer of the skin that you can touch. It protects your skin from any type of environmental elements that may harm the body.

Right in the middle is the dermis which is comprised of mainly connective tissues. This part of the skin contains two important structures; the sebaceous (oil) glands that are responsible for the production of oil and the eccrine (sweat glands) that produce sweat.

The last layer would be the hypodermis, also known as the subcutaneous tissue, which consists mostly of fat cells and blood vessels.

GETTING ACNE

It all starts with sebum (oil) and epithelial cells (dead skin cells). The oil on our skin is responsible for keeping our skin moist while we get dead skin cells as a by-product of skin regeneration. The body pumps too much oil onto the skin, and the excess oil is then combined with the epithelial cells causing the follicle (pores) to clog up. The blockage eventually seals the pore, becoming the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. Bacteria eat up the oil and cause the pore to swell and inflame. This swollen pore is what we call a pimple. The bacteria will continue feeding off the oil until it bursts, causing it to spill a mixture of sebum, bacteria, some white blood cells and a fair amount of pus. And just like any other wound, the inflamed pore will heal. The real problem starts when bacteria spread deep under the skin. They will damage the skin tissue right around it. The result? A less than desired acne scar.

WHY DO WE HAVE ACNE?

* Our hormones are pretty much responsible as to why teenagers get acne. Ever wondered why? That is because when we go through puberty, our hormones fluctuate to prepare the body for adulthood. That is the same reason why only a few adults get acne. Also, altering the hormones (like if you take in testosterone or go through menopause) can also affect hormones, giving you pimples too.

* Lack of a proper diet. Our food contributes a lot to our skin condition. Too much fat or sugar can worsen acne since it adds up to the oil that the body is trying to eliminate. Having a healthy, well-balanced diet will provide you all the essential vitamins, nutrients and fatty acids that can help prevent acne.

* Over-washing the face and using strong soaps. It dries up the skin, causing it to produce more oil.

* Scrubbing, squeezing or picking on pimples. This will only make matters worse since it may spread the bacteria deeper into the skin.

* Stress causes the hormones in the body to fluctuate, thus affecting the sebaceous glands.

* The environment. The pollution alone in the air can spread the bacteria giving you acne.

* Prescription medication

Warding off Acne

There is only so much that you can do once acne occurs. One can consider himself lucky if it dries up and heals without leaving a trace. But for some, the severity of their acne is so severe that it requires medical treatment. It is better to take action now, than worry and fuss about it later. Here are some things that you can do now to prevent/treat acne:

1. Watch what you eat. Steer away from any type of animal fat. Go for natural oils like olive oil, soybean oil and vegetable oil. Lessen your consumption of red meat and eat more lean proteins like fish and seafood. Make sure that you get a good dose of fiber in your diet to help your digestive system eliminate toxins. Eat more vegetables, whole grain products and fruits.

2. Follow a good skin care regimen. Make sure to use a mild soap/cleanser to wash your face with. Steer clear from strong soaps and astringents since they will strip the natural oil protecting your skin.

3. If your acne reaches your arms, neck and back; wear clothes that will allow the air to circulate to your body so that your skin will be able to breathe and to avoid overheating your skin.

4. Using anti-acne products. There are a lot of products out in the market that promises to make acne disappear. They do work. However, one should be very careful in selecting which products to use. Make sure to read the label, as some may be designed for severe acne and may damage your skin if you have mild acne. Here are some common ingredients found in these products:

a. Milk – The lactic acid found in milk is gentle on the skin, yet potent enough to dissolve the blockage found in your pores.

b. Salicylic acid – It is a plant hormone commonly found in skin care products. It helps the skin cells to regenerate quickly, making room for young healthy skin cells.

c. Tea tree oil, Grapefruit seed extract and Echinacea extract – All three are known for their anti-bacterial properties.

d. Aloe Vera extract, Viola Tri-color extract, Rose hip oil, Vitamin E and Vitamin A – Lowers the risk of having an inflammation and promotes healing.

e. Plant oils (ex. Lavander oil and Olive oil) – keeps the skin supple while it dissolves the accumulated oil in the pores

5. Take oral supplements. Much of today’s food items lack the essential nutrients that our skin need to promote skin regeneration and aid in the healing process. However, make sure that you seek a nutritionist’s go signal first. You may need more of a certain vitamin or mineral than the other. And some of these vitamins/minerals may be toxic in it is consumed too much. Here are some of the names that you’d commonly find in your bottle of supplements that would greatly benefit your skin: Vitamins A, C, B1, B2, B3, B6, C, D, E, Folic acid, Beta carotene, Bioflavonoids, Magnesium, Copper, Zinc, selenium, anti-oxidants from Green tea, and Methylsulfonyl methane.

About the Author

Karan has been in internet marketing and writing articles for nearly 4 years. Come visit his latest website at GolfCarryBag.org which helps golfers find the best Womens Golf Bags to suit your specific needs.

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