Most Often Asked Acne Questions

Truth or Dare

Acne affects 75% of people. Yes- some are blessed with a clear beautiful complexion most of their life and some struggle to get and maintain clear and healthy skin. Acne is the most common skin condition for women and men and affects young ( pre- teens and teens) and older – not just those post puberty but mature 40+ and even 60+ year old individuals. Acne doesn’t know economic boundaries either - rich and poor get the zits; also, if you live in Portugal or Brazil, in Finland or in Marocco-you can get the dreaded pimples. And what about your lifestyle? You can be a computer geek or a rising basketball star and you can still succumb to acne…

So look below for some of most often asked questions about this pesky skin condition, and we hope this will help not only to clear the air but also help to clear your skin

What kinds of acne are there?

There are two general kinds of acne:

• Comedones -- blackheads and white heads.
• Inflammatory lesions -- papules (pimple), pustules, nodules or cysts.

You can also differentiate acne based on how severe and how persistent they are and when in your life they occur.

So we have: mild, moderate and severe acne (on face or body) and they can be acute (recent breakouts) or chronic (those that persist for over 2 years)

Acne may also affect teens or even pre-teens and adults.

Depending on the type of your acne, you can seek a personalized and customized treatment that can represent the best choice for your unique skin condition.

I wash my face a lot, but still get blackheads. Why?

Washing your skin can't get rid of blackheads or acne. Why? Blackheads form when a clog or plug develops in the opening of hair follicles in your skin. Each follicle contains one hair and a sebaceous gland that produces oil called sebum. Sebum helps keeping your skin soft but in excess may start acne cascade . Dead skin cells and oils collect in the opening to the skin follicle, producing a bump called a comedo.

To prevent blackheads:

1. Wash your face when you get up, before bed, and after you sweat. 
2. Put non-abrasive cleaners on your skin gently, using your fingertips. 
3. Use alcohol-free skin products.
4. Avoid the sun since some acne medicines can make your skin more sensitive to UV rays.

Do birth control pills cause or help treat acne?

Some birth control pills may induce acne or make them worse if they contain too much progesterone (ASK YOUR DOCTOR WHAT HE/SHE PRESCRIBED)

Some birth control pills may help some women control acne. The hormones (estrogen) in birth control pills can help block androgen (testosterone) hormones. Androgen puts oil glands into overdrive creating too much sebum. The issue for consideration is that using birth control pills to treat acne is what we call off-label use which is not for what the pill was originally developed for. By taking oral contraceptives it helps to decrease the monthly fluctuation in hormones associated with the menstrual cycle which is often a cause of acne in women.

Men obviously can not use the pill. The use of the pill by very young acne sufferers (pre-teens or early teens) may cause fertility problems or cause some issues with the menstrual cycle. Finally chronic (years) use of the pill for acne treatment may have some adverse effects depending what type of the pill it is combination or progestin only. So as the birth control pill is on the menu only for treating acne perhaps it should not be the first choice you pursue

Could my makeup cause my acne?

Yes. In fact, anything you put on your face has the potential to clog pores. Look for oil-free makeup, sunscreens, and other skin products. Non-comedogenic and non-acnegenic products can be better for acne-prone skin.

If you do want to use foundation, some dermatologists recommend oil-free liquid silicone matte foundations, such as those containing dimethicone or cyclomethicone.

My job is stressful. Is that a factor for acne?

Stress is not considered a main cause of acne. More often, your acne may increase your stress levels. Effective acne treatment may actually help reduce your stress.

However, in some people, stress can worsen acne. If you think stress triggers outbreaks it could be that adrenaline and noradrenaline (“stress” hormones ) may also overstimulate sebaceous glands. As we know overproduction of sebum is the fist trigger in the “acne cascade” ,

Yoga, other physical exercise, stress reduction techniques, such as deep breathing exercises or even meditation, can ease stress.

What’s the truth about chocolate and acne?

There's no scientific proof that eating chocolate causes acne. However, sugar can cause premature aging of the skin since it effects the balance, production and performance of the major skin building blocks, which are collagen and elastin. The sugar damages the skin through a process called glycation, which involves “crosslinking” collagen and elastin (the protein that acts as elastic connective tissue). The act of crosslinking makes the collagen molecules lose their important mechanical properties. What you’re left with is what doctors call AGEs (advanced glycation end products), ultimately leaving skin wrinkled. In some ways and in some people sugar may also trigger acne as well. In its added form, sugar has been linked to a variety of chronic diseases, including obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. In short, between skin problems and other health problems, keep your sweet tooth on a leash.

What is cystic and deep-cyst acne?

Deep-cyst acne is the most severe form of acne which occurs when bacteria also get trapped in the pores, causing swelling, inflammation, often pus-filled and painful pimples (Cysts) . Sometimes, the largest cysts may need to be treated with antibiotic pills for a short time. Injectable corticosteroids may calm the real big inflammation as well. Usually, using topical treatments can help, and use of retinol containing creams may speed up healing and prevent acne marks as it stimulates the production of collagen, skin skin-building material.

What is really important that you never pick, poke, or pop lesions. That can worsen acne and cause acne scars.

Could my acne be related to anemia?

The link between anemia, low iron, and acne is not proven. A few studies have shown a small connection. However, scientists believe anemia's probably not the real cause of acne. Instead, taking too much zinc to treat acne may cause anemia. There is limited scientific evidence that zinc truly treats acne long term.

Am I stuck with acne forever?

Statistically acne does seem less prevalent with age. However, the average age of acne sufferers has increased over the past decade from 20 years old to 26 years. According to one study, acne becomes less common after age 44; it is unfortunately still present for women until or even past menopause, and for men even until their late 50 s.

Fortunately, there are treatments for both teen and adult acne, and most people find the combination of products that work best. Treatment takes time - usually 4 to 12 weeks - and you need to continue for it to work. However, there's a silver lining. Being proactive about acne treatment will not only provide for healthy and clear complexion, less stress and less emotional trepidations in social situations but also prevents long term impact of acne such as acne scars and acne marks that are much more difficult to eliminate.

When is the Best Time to Start Acne Treatment?

Don’t procrastinate! As soon as you see the first symptoms, such as blackheads or whiteheads, get on it!. If you see the first pimple, get on it. Research your options, and stick with a treatment. The sooner you start, the sooner you regain your healthy and clear skin, and the better your chances of preventing the long-term skin damage. www.acnease.com