Acne Vulgaris: Causes, Effects and Treatments

More than two-thirds of the adult American population experiences the embarrassment of having lesions, pimples, zits or acne - which is considered to be one of the most common skin conditions. But what exactly are the factors which trigger the appearance of acne? Is there a way for it to be prevented? And what are the most effective treatments to prevent this condition from appearing on your skin? This is what we will take a look in the following sections.

Understanding Causes of Acne

If you’re one of those people who still believe having improper hygiene is what triggers acne, it’s time to bust that myth. There is no one main factor which causes all acne to appear, period.

It could be a combination of any of these factors: adolescence, hormonal changes, stress, pollution, diet, bacteria in the pores and having hyperactive sebaceous glands. The last item is particularly interesting because acne vulgaris usually appears when there is an overproduction of sebum on the skin. The most common areas affected by acne include the face, chest, back, upper neck and shoulders.

Effects of Acne

Now that you already have an idea about the basic causes of acne, what are its effects? As you may already know, teenagers who suffer from acne usually have self-confidence problems. The embarrassment of having to come to school with your face full of pimples is something that anybody can do without. But you are not alone and it has become somewhat a normal part of teenage growth.

If teens suffer through all this embarrassment, then you can imagine how painful acne is for adults who should have gone over that age of having acne? The emotional and psychological effects are probably worse. For adults who are still suffering from acne, the causes can range anywhere from the medications that they are taking, to the stress level that they are experiencing.

Recommended Acne Treatments

When you go to a supermarket, you will see a lot of over-the-counter medications which are supposed to treat acne. For those who have mild to moderate acne, these treatments are bound to work - you just need to find the right one which is suitable for you.

Some of the medications and treatments that you can try include Benzoyl Peroxide, Retinoids and tea tree oil. You can also opt for cosmetic treatments, hormonal treatments and oral antibiotics - but these are the lesser-known ways to address your acne problem.

Once the acne problem is addressed, you may want to look for a solution to make the acne scars disappear - something which can also be resolved by using creams or non-surgical cosmetic treatments.

All in all, despite acne being one of the most common skin disorders, it is still treatable in majority of cases. Consuming vitamins for acne treatment has also proven effective, especially if your acne hasn’t moved into a very serious stage. And those of you who are suffering from severe acne should always seek the help of a professional dermatologist to determine the best treatment immediately.