01.03.08
Posted in Acne
at 3:02 pm
Acne blackheads are small, dark spots (about the size of a pinhead) caused by discoloration of the surface of a small plug in the opening of a follicle (pore). The acne blackheads are open and dark in color. Blackheads are follicles that have a wider than normal opening due to the large amount of clogged sebum. They are filled with plugs of sebum and sloughed off cells and have undergone a chemical reaction resulting in the oxidation of melanin. This gives the acne prone material in the follicle the typical black color that could lead to an acne eruption and scarring. This black color is due to melanin pigment and not always dirt and sebum oil. Squeezing a blackhead often leads to the acne irritation and potential scarring causing permanent signs of acne. Blackheads can be more numerous on the face and shoulders than acne red bumps filled with pus.
Whiteheads are like blackheads, but do not have an opening to the skin surface to allow air to reach the follicle and oxidize it. Good consistent acne skin hygiene and Acne-Ltd can help prevent acne blackheads and whiteheads.
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12.06.07
Posted in Acne
at 4:30 pm
- Adult acne appears as white or red bumps that are painful to touch.
Adult acne whiteheads are formed due to trapped oil and debris within the acne prone hair follicles of the skin.
- If adult acne whiteheads are formed in the deeper layers, a soft mass called cystic acne appears.
- Acne blackheads are open and dark in color. This is due to melanin pigment and dirt that discolors the acne blackhead.
- The plugged wall of the acne prone follicle ruptures on to the skin surface, and can get infected by acne bacteria and form adult acne.
- Small red acne bumps are called whitehead. Larger red bumps are called nodules or pustules (with acne pus).
- An acne pustule is a whitish yellow squeezable spot due to the accumulation of pus or acne inflammation inside. After the lesions heal, they leave behind scars that form permanent acne scars on the skin. An advanced acne skin care product is certainly needed for an acne solution.
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11.19.07
Posted in Acne
at 4:01 pm
The origin of the word acne dates back more than two thousand years. In ancient Greece the word acme, meaning “point or peak,” was applied to puberty, then considered to be the peak of life. The word acne evolved as a distortion of acme, and the facial blemishes that appeared at the time of acme were called “acnes.”
Acne is by far the most common skin disease and therefore one of the most common diseases affecting us. Eighty percent of any human population will experience some manifestation of acne. Twenty-five percent of them will have acne serious enough to merit some form of treatment, professional or otherwise.
The social, economic, and psychological effects of acne can be painful. Americans spend millions of dollars every year on acne treatments. For many sufferers, acne causes depression and gets in the way of social and sexual relationships. Society in general is prejudiced against people with acne; they are less likely to be offered jobs, for example. Misconceptions about the cause and treatment of acne are widespread, and they persist even in the face of scientific information to the contrary. Common misconceptions include: Acne is caused by dirt and poor hygiene; Frequent and vigorous washing is good treatment; If one can live a stress-free life, the condition of the skin will certainly improve; Sexual activity is good/bad for the skin and excessive/infrequent sex causes blemishes to develop. All of these mistaken notions show quite clearly that today’s youth and many older people as well still cling to outmoded ideas about the causes and treatment of acne.
You can learn some simple, effective, and free ways to treat your acne at our Acne-Ltd Lifestyle Changes page.
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11.13.07
Posted in Acne
at 4:39 pm
Cystic adult acne, whether chronic or intermittent, needs an acne solution by an advanced acne product. Cystic adult acne often causes acne scarring. Acne care is needed as cystic acne is one of the most frustrating types of adult acne that most acne treatments fail to treat and an ugly acne picture results for years. Cystic Adult acne needs not be difficult as an acne remedy can provide a solution. Cystic acne can be painful, however, cystic acne can have acne skin care very easily preventing acne scarring but the extent of damage of cystic adult acne is capable of inflicting often goes beyond the reach of most acne treatment. Cystic acne is typically triggered by the lack of estrogen, therefore the normal skin care is not the best. An advanced acne treatment is needed during this period. Acne oil glands becomes engorged, and hardened with the excess acne prone oil. The extra oil plugs the lining of the hair follicle. This causes acute acne inflammation and irritation, and leads to cystic acne. As these acne oil lesions start deep in the skin, acne scarring is side effect.
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10.30.07
Posted in Acne
at 4:17 pm
Baby acne or baby pimples is very common in newborns. Baby acne pimples can show up anytime between 2 weeks and 2 months of age and last until your child is between 4 and 6 months old. As with adult acne, baby acne usually amounts to some small acne whiteheads on the face, and less frequently acne appears on the back. (These acne pimples are different from the little acne red bumps called acne milia that your baby may have had on her face at birth. Acne milia usually go away within two weeks.) If the baby has a rash anywhere else on her body, or if it’s scaly or red and rashy, check with your pediatrician. Your baby may not have acne, but could have another condition such as cradle cap or eczema.
Baby acne is caused by the hormones the baby gets in the womb and through breast milk. Since your baby isn’t producing these levels of hormones herself, once you’re done breastfeeding and they’re out of her system, the baby acne will clear up.
It’s probably best to just leave the baby acne alone. Topical remedies and vigorous washing could irritate your baby’s sensitive acne skin, and the condition will be a distant memory in a few short weeks or months anyway. Your pediatrician probably won’t prescribe any treatment unless the baby acne looks severe enough to scar.
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10.18.07
Posted in Acne
at 2:51 pm
Acne scars caused by squeezing are more common than doctors once believed; most people will have acne scars that are mild. However, some will have acne scars that look significant even to others with acne. The best approach is prevention and to treat acne right away as sometimes even mild acne can cause scarring. This can minimize the risk of permanent acne scars. There are a number of different looking scars caused by acne. The acne scar treatment you get will depend on the type of scars you have, as well as on your skin type. There are many medical advances in treating facial scars. Generally, acne scars on the chest and back do not respond as well to acne treatment scar remedies.
People experience different types of scarring from acne, and every person is left with very different facial topography. Therefore, acne scar treatment must be addressed on a case by case basis. No single treatment is right for everyone. You and your dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon will have to decide what is right for your type of acne scarring.
There has been very little research done into how acne scars are formed and how they respond to treatment. It has not been a well treated condition in the past, however there are many new advances in the treatment of acne scars.
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10.09.07
Posted in Acne
at 1:22 pm
Acne rosacea, now more accurately known as just rosacea, is a chronic skin condition of the forehead, cheeks, nose, and chin. It consists of flushing, which turns into red coloration from the dilation of the capillaries and can lead to pustules that resemble acne.
Rosacea occurs mostly in middle-aged adults with fair skin. The cause of rosacea is unknown, but there is likely a genetic component. Severe, untreated rosacea can be disfiguring to the face. The skin of the center of the face—typically on or surrounding the nose—is red and swollen, with acne-like blemishes. As the condition progresses, parts of the eye can become inflamed and the nose may enlarge. This inflammation can look very much like acne, but blackheads and whiteheads are less common.
You can learn more about rosacea, adult rosacea, and acne rosacea at our Rosacea-Ltd web site.
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09.26.07
Posted in Acne
at 1:47 pm
Acne symptoms can occasionally be caused by, or aggravated by, medications (drugs) such as oral steroids (may cause steroid acne), medroxyprogesterone injection (Depo-Provera) and oral contraceptives, testosterone, and anabolic steroids such as danazol or stanozolol. Athletes and body-builders sometimes abuse anabolic steroids because they result in increased muscle bulk - severe acne is one of the undesirable results.
It is not known why some other medicines cause or aggravate acne; theories include effects on white blood cells and direct effects on the hair follicle. Medications known to aggravate acne include: Halogens (iodides, chlorides, bromides, halothane), Antiepileptics (carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital), Antituberculous drugs (ethionamide, isoniazid, rifampicin), Antidepressants (lithium, amoxapine), Cyclosporin, and B vitamins (B12, cyanocobalamin).
For more information about factors that can cause or worsen acne, please visit About Acne at the Acne-Ltd web site.
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09.24.07
Posted in Acne
at 2:38 pm
Acne cosmetica is a mild and relatively common form of acne is caused by cosmetics. Since it’s triggered by topical products, it can strike anyone — even people who are not prone to acne. It typically consists of small, itchy or rashy pink bumps on the cheeks, chin and forehead, developing gradually over the course of a few weeks or months. It may persist indefinitely, but usually does not cause scarring.
To avoid acne cosmetica, you may need to change some of the cosmetics you use. All cosmetics should be oil free; when in doubt, read the label. Products that are labeled as non-comedogenic (does not promote the formation of closed pores) should be used; in some people, however, even these products may cause acne. Products used to treat oily hair may come in contact with the forehead, causing closed comedones. Hair sprays, gels and styling products can also cause clogged pores and care should be taken to avoid having these products come in contact with the facial skin.
Acne-Ltd is non-comedogenic, and can even be used as an invisible, oil-free makeup base. Learn more about Acne-Ltd at our Introducing Acne-Ltd page.
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09.10.07
Posted in Acne
at 1:48 pm
Acne begins with the changes of puberty, and is due to the change in the hormones. It seems that it is usually a case of the skin over-reacting to the hormone levels, rather than there being particularly high hormone levels in those people who get bad acne. The glands produce too much of their oils (sebum).
There are tubes (ducts) that run to the surface of the skin from these glands. Too many of the cells lining the ducts are produced. This leads to tiny plugs blocking the ducts. The glands continue to secrete, leading to swelling behind the plug.
The blocked ducts become infected with a germ (Propionibacterium acnes), which leads to inflammation and the production of larger redder spots, sometimes filled with pus.
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