As skin conditions go, acne is probably one of the most common. In this condition, the sebaceous glands produce an excess of sebum which results in a clogging of the pores. This clogging creates the skin lesions we call acne. Although acne appears most often on teenagers and young adults, in can affect anyone at any age. It does appear to run in families as well.

The face, of course, is an area where acne often appears. Other frequent problem areas include the upper chest, back and neck. All of these are areas where there is a greater concentration of the sebaceous glands and follicles.

The increase in male hormones that is experienced in both boys and girls during their teens appears to be a primary cause of acne. Generally, people will have less and less as they get older until they reach their 20s when it mostly goes away. Other people will, unfortunately, continue to experience acne until much later in life.

As any woman can attest to, menstrual cycles are often preceded by development of acne. Scratching and any kind of skin irritation will also make it worse. Although scientists are not in complete agreement, there appears to be a correlation between the level of stress a person has and how severe is there acne.

The effect of diet on acne is still being researched. Chocolate does not now seem to be the problem it once was considered. Dairy products have shown some correlation to increased acne but this may be due to hormones often present in milk these days. Some studies are showing a possible increase in acne due to processed foods and foods high in refined sugars but further research is needed.

Many products exist to treat acne but it appears that using more than one will achieve better results. The most effective medications also seem to have the most potential side effects. Consultation with a physician may be wise to avoid complications and find the best treatment protocol.

Treatments for acne include: topical antibiotics, oral antibiotics, topical antibacterials, oral retinoids, topical retinoids, sulfur, microdermabrasion, dermabrasion and laser treatment. There are herbal treatments available such as Chinese herbs, Ayurvedic herbs as well as calendula and other Western herbs. There is some belief that acne can be cured by going through a process of detoxification.

You do not necessarily need to treat acne as far as your health is concerned unless scarring is likely. Acne does tend to lower self-esteem in teens, however, at a time when they are already feeling out of balance. Severe acne, especially, can result in depression to the point of suicidal tendencies. Because of this, seeking treatment before the outbreak gets really bad may be a good idea.

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