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ACNE : My teenage burden

Acne has become a rite of passage in which I am not able to accept. Numerous teens go through this phase, but unfortunately for me and other teens it is not an adolescent phase at all.

Acne has become almost like an inevitable obstacle for me and those growing up in adolescence in which anything will be tried to get rid of it. Although acne seems to be the most prevalent in teens, no age group is exempt.

Within this paper is complete coverage on acne. This is a complete narrative of what acne is and the causes of it, what the symptoms of acne are, the diseases that may mimic acne, who gets acne, how one can prevent acne, treatments from the past and present for acne, where the disease first was discovered, and the effects of this disease.

Through lots of extensive reasearch on acne, I have found that it is all in regard to me and other teens experiencing the same thing and is and can be a great benefit to others. The scientific name for acne is Acne pyoderma.

Acne is the most common skin disease among humans. (1) Acne is a bacterial disease which virtually affects anyone at any stage of their lives. (2) It is a natural process for the skin to exfoliate, but it is believed that within the pores exfoliation doesn't happen properly.

Dead, protein-rich cells called keratin mixes with oily substances produced by the sebaceous glands, causing sticky clogging of the pores. The pores become clogged by cell debris and the acne causing bacterium called Propionibacterium acnes.

This results in pimples also known as acne lesions on the face, back, chest, and neck. (3) It has been noted that genetics are a major component in the cause of acne. If one's parent was greatly affected by acne as a child, he or she could go through the same thing as their parents because the child and parent share the same genes.

(4) Acne doesn't appear before puberty. The reason is hormones. Our sebaceous glands are stimulated to produce more sebum also known as oil in which this sebum begins the process of retention hyperkeratosis, or insufficient exfoliation within the lining of the pores.

(5) Many people believe oily skin is the root cause of acne, but that is not the case. Oily skin may be an irritant of the skin, but it isn't the cause of acne in itself. "Statistics say that the glands of African - Americans typically are the most rich in sebum (oil), but that African - Americans suffer far less from acne than that of other ethnic groups" says Perricone.

(6) There are many unknown causes of acne, but these are some that are known. There are genetic factors, oily skin, hormones, blockage of follicles, or pores, bacteria, skin hygiene, harsh climates, diet, and emotional stress.

(7) "There are several types of acne symptoms. The least severe are comedones. Open comedones form blackheads and closed comedomes form whiteheads. A comedome is a plug that forms within the pilosebaceous duct forming a small lesion. The next lesion that may be more severe are papules.

They are firm, red swellings of various sizes that appear on normal skin as another manifestation of acne. Pustules are small abscesses on the skin.

They are soft pimples filled with pus, which is made up of white blood cells. Acne cysts are large areas of inflammation deep within the skin. After acne blemishes subside, flat, reddened areas frequently remain on the skin. These are called macules which represent the end stage of the inflammatory process. Hyperpigmentation is also an acne symptom.

It is an increase in the brown skin pigment called melanin which sometimes remains after acne blemishes have healed, as it often does in other forms of inflammation, such as sunburn. These blemishes last the longest. For months even. Scars are permanent alterations in the normal structure of the skin" says Walzer.

(8) There are many diseases that seem to mimic acne such as acne rosecea, perioral dermatitis, heat rashes, and contact allergy, but the most common is follicilitis. It is an infection that affects the hair follicles which is more prevalent in males than females.

When red pimples and pustules without the presence of comedone appears on the beard on the face most likely the person has folliculitis.

(9) Acne is not a disease that discriminates. It affects every race, sex, age, and region. (10) About every human population experiences some manifestation of acne. This usually results in treatment or professional assistance to deal with the problem.

(11) The most evident victims of acne are teens and people who are in their early twenties. "Acne is a systematic inflammatory disease" says Perricone. (

12) There are several types of acne. One is infantile acne. The cause of this is not known. "It appears to occur during a brief stage of postnatal development when the infant's sebaceous glands are very actively producing sebum" says Walzer.

Adult acne is another type of acne which occurs in adults. "The reasons why adults may get acne long after it should have subsided includes changes in the environment, dietary factors such as additives and pollutants, and the impact of stress found in contemporary society" says Walzer.

Acne conglobata is a form of acne that is also unknown. "It's an unusual severe type of acne in which round (conglobate) collections of pus form deep in the skin" says Walzer. Occupational acne is acquired when being exposed to an acne prone work environment.

It may be the air or clothes the employee may have to wear which may trigger it. Medication acne is acne gotten from medications in which ones skin is not receptacle to the medication and a result of that is acne breakouts.

Acne vulrgris is the most common form of acne and is usually associated with those in adolescence. (13) There is no cure for acne, but with the right combination of therapy such as newly refined medications or leading a healthy lifestyle one can stabilize the acne or prevent future breakouts.

(14) Unfortunately many teens lack the financial means to acquire treatment or professional medical advice, however there are ways to keep beautiful, healthy looking skin. Diet, exercise, and nutritional supplements are all ways of resolving ones acne problems without resorting to drastic measures which usually resort in undesirable side effects.

(15) For years people have assumed that acne was triggered or caused by dirt, chocolate, or greasy foods, but medical studies have shown that this is not the case. For one to over wash his or her face will only make matters worse and will irritate the skin.

To avoid or lessen the effects of acne one should avoid excessive sun exposure, check vitamin supplements, specifically supplements with iodine, avoid over washing the face, and avoid acne prone areas. One should not pick at his or her skin, keep skin free of oils and bacteria, avoid stress because stress can increase secretion of oil in skin because stress can raise levels of the hormone cortisone, and one should wear lose fitting clothes when exercising.

(16) It is important for people even with mild acne to see a dermatologist. "The dermatologist, who has seen hundreds if not thousands, of patients with your type of acne, can assess the severity of your problem and indicate the likely prognosis and potential for scarring. He or she can answer questions and offer advice about skin care and appropriate treatments for your type of blemishes" says Walzer.

(17) In the 1800s dermatologists used acne treatment such as sulfur in which this dried out the skin. In the late 1940s and 1950s dermatologists started using antibacterial treatment. Following oral antibiotic therapy was topical antibiotic treatments. Benzoyl peroxide is a popular acne medication that is used today which effectiveness comes from its antibacterial properties and its ability to act as a peeling agent.

Another important acne treatment developed in the late 1960s and early 70s was the use of Vitamin A acid and Retin A. These can be taken topically or orally. Following these medications was Accutane which has been highly effective for people with severe acne.

Among its advantages it does have serious side effects. A very new therapy is the use of a specific wavelength of laser light which focuses on the propioibacterium acnes bacteria. Another new therapy is the use of radio waves on the skin. What is known as an anti-inflammatory treatment for acne is embracing a certain lifestyle.

"Getting adequate sleep, drinking enough water, and learning how to decrease one's stress levels, one can and will dramatically affect the way their body reacts to this disease" says Perricone.

(18) The word acne derives from the Greek word acme, meaning "point or peak," which refers to puberty, considered to be the peak of life. (19) Dermatology dates all the way back to the Ancient Egyptian Era.

Little was known about bacterial skin diseases such as acne, but as early as "1600 BC and 1550 BC many references to skin diseases and the topical medications were being used to treat them. The earliest known attempt to consider skin problems is to be found in a section of the general medical treatise "De Medieina" of the Roman writer Celsus" says Crissey, Parish, and Holubar. (

20) Acne not only mars one's appearance or beauty such as disfigurement in the body or face , but once present bumps or pimples may disappear leaving scars which can cause emotional distress hurting one's self-esteem. Blemishes caused by acne can cause one embarrassment, lack of self-esteem, and the unwillingness to engage in social situations.

(21) Whether acne will ever be cured is unascertained. Life is too short to be worried about acne so I am trying to take control early. One can greatly benefit from this paper in the fight to not let acne take dominion over their lives.

One should not let acne be a burden. I am conquering this battle and so can you.

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