Introduction
A person’s skin contains tiny holes known as pores which can be blocked by dirt, dead skin cells, bacteria, and oil. When they become clogged, a pimple develops in the skin, known as a blemish or zit (“Acne – Symptoms and Causes”). If a person develops several spots at once repeatedly, they might result in a condition known as acne. Acne is a skin condition resulting in the development of pimples in the body (“Acne – Symptoms and Causes”). This paper explores the causes of acne, existing myths, and possible treatments for the condition.
Factors That Cause Acne
Various factors lead to the development of acne. For instance, the production of excess oil, bacteria, hair follicles getting clogged by oil and dead skin cells, and the fast production of acne-causing bacteria (Palmer). All of these factors have to be present for acne to occur. Other factors that trigger the development of acne in the body include hormonal changes (Palmer). For instance, androgens hormones increase in both boys and girls during puberty, making the sebaceous glands increase, thus producing more sebum. In addition, hormonal changes during midlife, especially in women, can cause breakouts, too (Palmer). Diets: studies reveal that consuming foods rich in carbohydrates, such as chips and bread, might worsen acne (Palmer). Finally, there is stress; although it does not cause acne, if one has acne, stress might worsen the condition.
Common Myths about Acne
The first myth is the consumption of greasy foods and chocolate causes acne. There has not been any proven relationship between cheeseburgers, French fries, potato chips, pizza, and chocolate with acne development (“Acne – Symptoms and Causes”). However, recent studies have revealed a close relationship between acne and non-organic products (“Acne – Symptoms and Causes”). Thus, the idea of acne is associated with consuming greasy foods and chocolate is a myth. The second myth is that acne is caused by dirt. Acne flare-up cannot be linked to poor hygiene of dirt. However, scrubbing the skin too vigorously and frequently washing can irritate the skin, making acne worse. The third myth is that acne affects teenagers only; however, even though it is true that acne frequently appears in adolescents, it also affects people above the age of 20 years (“Acne – Symptoms and Causes”). Therefore, acne develops in people of all ages and not in teenagers only.
Treatments for Acne
Mild
Acne treatment depends on its severity. For mild acne, one can use over-the-counter (OTC) medicated creams, cleansers, and spot treatments for addressing pimples as they pop up (Palmer). The most common ingredients in acne gels and creams comprise Salicylic acid, which helps exfoliate the skin to prevent clogging of ores with acne-causing bacteria (Palmer). The other ingredient is Benzoyl peroxide which helps dry out existing pimples and kills acne-causing bacteria.
Moderate
When symptoms persist after using OTC acne treatment for several weeks, one might consider reaching out for professional treatment. A dermatologist or a healthcare professional prescribes medications that may help decrease the symptoms and prevent scarring (Palmer). Medicines recommended for moderate acne are retinol, antibiotics like clindamycin or erythromycin, and prescription-strength benzoyl peroxide.
Severe
When acne becomes severe, a dermatologist might recommend treatment that combines one or more of the following: topical retinoids, topical antibiotics, benzoyl peroxide, and oral antibiotics. The doctor might also suggest hormonal birth control or oral isotretinoin, also known as Accutane (Palmer). It is a vitamin A medication used in treating severe acne cases. However, it can have serious side effects, and doctors only prescribe it when other treatments do not work.
Conclusion
This paper has explored acne, a condition that results in the development of pimples in the body. Common myths about acne have also been explored, such as the belief that acne is caused by dirt and the consumption of greasy and chocolate foods. Finally, the paper has explained some common treatments of acne using retinoids such as retinol, antibiotics like clindamycin or erythromycin, or prescription-strength benzoyl peroxide.
References
“Acne – Symptoms and Causes.” Mayo Clinic. 2022.
Palmer, Angela. “The Top 3 Reasons Why You Get Pimples.” Verywell Health. 2022.