Acne
(Pimples)
Medical Author (Revision):
Alan Rockoff, MD
Medical Editor (Revision):
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
What is acne?
Acne is not just a problem for teenagers, it can affect people from ages 10 through
40. It is not unusual for women, in particular, to develop acne in their
mid-to-late 20's, even if they have not had breakouts in years (or ever). Acne
can appear as any of the following;
- congested pores,
- whiteheads,
- blackheads,
- pimples,
- pustules, or
- cysts (deep pimples).
These blemishes occur wherever there
are many oil (sebaceous) glands, mainly on the face, chest, and back.
You can do a lot to treat your acne using products available at a drugstore
or cosmetic counter, that do not require a prescription. However, for tougher cases
of acne, you should
consult a physician.
What causes acne?
No one factor causes acne. Acne happens when oil (sebaceous) glands come to
life around puberty
stimulated by male hormones from the adrenal glands of both boys and girls. Oil is a natural substance which lubricates and protects the
skin, and under certain circumstances, cells that are
close to the surface block the openings of sebaceous glands and cause a
buildup of oil underneath. This oil stimulates bacteria,
(which live in
everyone's skin and generally cause no problems), to multiply and cause
surrounding tissues to become inflamed.
If the inflammation is right near the surface, you get a pustule; if it's
deeper, a papule (pimple); deeper still and it's a cyst. If the oil breaks
though to the surface, the result is a "whitehead." If the oil
becomes oxidized (that is, acted on by oxygen in the air), the oil changes from white to black,
and the result is a "blackhead."
Some factors that don't usually cause acne, at least by themselves are:
- Heredity: With
the exception of very severe acne, most people do not have the problem
exactly as their
parents did. Almost everyone has some acne at some point in their life.
- Food: All over the world, parents tell teens to avoid pizza, chocolate, greasy
and fried foods, and junk food. While these foods may not be good for overall
health, they don't cause acne or make it worse.
- Dirt: Some individuals have more "oily" skin than others (as
mentioned above, "Blackheads" are oxidized oil, not dirt).
Sweat does not
cause acne, therefore, it is not necessary to shower instantly after exercise
for fear that sweat will clog pores. On the other hand, excessive washing can
dry and irritate the skin.
- Stress: Some people get
so upset by their pimples that they pick at them and make them last longer.
Stress, however, does not play much of a direct role in causing acne.
- Hormones: Some women
break out cyclically, but most women (and men) don't. Some oral contraceptive pills
may help relieve acne, but unless a woman has abnormal
menstrual periods and excessive hair growth, it's unlikely that hormones play
much of a role in causing acne.
- Cosmetics: Most cosmetic and skin care products are not pore-clogging
(“comedogenic.”) Of the many available brands, those which are listed as
“water-based” or “oil-free” are generally a better choice.
In occasional patients, contributing factors may be:
- Pressure: In some
patients, pressure from helmets, chinstraps, collars, and the like can
aggravate acne.
- Drugs: Some medications
may cause or worsen acne, such as those containing iodides, bromides, or oral
or injected steroids (either the medically prescribed prednisone or the
steroids bodybuilders or athletes take.) Most cases of acne,
however, are not drug-related.
- Occupations: In some jobs, exposure to industrial products like cutting
oils may produce acne.
Next: What other skin conditions can mimic acne? »
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From the Doctors at MedicineNet.com  |
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- isotretinoin, Accutane, Sotret, Claravis, Amnesteem - Read about the medication isotretinoin (Accutane, Sotret, Claravis, Amnesteem ), a drug used to treat severe acne that is resistant to more conservative treatments such as creams, drying agents, and topical or oral antibiotics. Source:MedicineNet
- Chemical Peel - Chemical peels, also known as chemexfoliation or derma-peeling, are a technique used to improve the appearance of the skin. Source:WebMD Medical Reference from The Cleveland Clinic
- Dermabrasion - Dermabrasion, or surgical skin planing, is a procedure in which the skin is frozen and then a specialized instrument is used to "sand" the skin. This abrasive or planing action improves skin contour as a new layer of skin replaces the treated skin. The new skin generally has a smoother appearance. Source:WebMD Medical Reference from The Cleveland Clinic
- Read 164 more Acne related articles ...
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Last Editorial Review: 9/19/2006
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