Acne is the most common skin disorder, affecting almost 85% of people at some point throughout their lives. Oily skin, stress, and other factors such as hormones, certain medications, and dietary choices can contribute to this condition. Learn more about acne, what causes acne to occur, and steps you can take to prevent and treat acne.

What Is Acne?

Acne is a common skin disease that is characterized by scaly red skin, blackheads, whiteheads, and pimples. Acne can be broken down into two types: noninflammatory and inflammatory. Blackheads and whiteheads are commonly seen in noninflammatory acne patients, while redness, swelling, and pimples occur in the more serious, inflammatory cases of acne. Those experiencing acne typically experience symptoms of both types. This skin disease is common among teens, due to increased levels of testosterone throughout puberty. While acne typically occurs throughout adolescence, many people of all ages experience acne. It is not limited to any particular age group or demographic. While acne is most commonly found on the face, it can occur anywhere on the body. It is a very persistent skin disease that should be taken care of right away using the proper methods.

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What Causes It?

Acne occurs when pores become clogged with dirt, oil, and dead skin cells. More specifically, acne occurs when the pilosebaceous units, which can be found all over the body sans hands and feet, become clogged with excess oil. People experience acne for a number of reasons. Traditionally, acne is passed down genetically and has been known to run in families. Other factors that have been known to contribute to acne include stress, poor diet, vitamin deficiency, or pregnancy. Other common causes of acne include oily makeup products, exposure to humidity or excess dust, irritation to the skin caused by such things as clothing, hats, or headbands, or even the use of certain medications. Acne can worsen if it is picked at, rubbed, or scratched. This can lead to further, lasting skin damage such as scarring.

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How to Prevent Acne

There are simple steps you can take in order to prevent acne. For example, avoid using oil-based lotions and sunscreens. You should also make washing your face twice a day part of your routine. Use a mild cleanser and warm water to gently massage the skin. This will remove set-in dirt and oils from the surface of your skin, which can cause pimples. When washing, avoid scrubbing or rubbing the skin to prevent acne from worsening. Apply an oil-free lotion after washing to keep your skin hydrated, particularly in the cold winter months. Changing your diet can also help to prevent pesky pimples from popping up. Increase your intake of fruits and vegetables, and avoid eating processed foods, which can contain pore-clogging chemicals. To prevent lasting damage from acne and to avoid scarring, do not pop pimples or attempt to squeeze out blackheads or whiteheads.

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How to Treat Acne

Acne is a treatable condition. There are a number of ways to treat the symptoms associated with acne. For instance, retinoid gels, creams, and ointments exist that can be placed on pimples to prevent them from spreading or worsening. There are also a number of over-the-counter medications you can take to treat acne. Over-the-counter acne treatments come in many forms, including face wash, gels, creams, or pads. These remedies help to dry out the oil in your skin causing pimples and kill bacteria. Many acne sufferers choose to seek out the help of a dermatologist, who can help clean out your pores with regular visits. If none of these acne treatments seem to work, you should seek the guidance of a medical professional. A doctor may recommend that you start taking medication to help clear up your acne if you have found that topical ointments and cleansers aren’t working. Acne-treating medications include birth control and antibiotics. Many people choose a combination of treatments to resolve issues with acne. For example, by combining antibiotics with laser skin treatments or cosmetic procedures, acne can become a thing of the past.

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