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New Consumer-Focused Acne Treatment Website Launches (PRWeb via Yahoo! News)

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Acne information on the Morning Show (FOX 28 South Bend)

 
The point is that acne does not affect only teenagers. Plenty of adults (post-teens) get acne too, though no one seems to know why. From what I’ve read and heard, acne affects roughly 25% of adult males and 50% of adult females. People can develop acne, or suffer a recurrence of acne, into their 30s and 40s and even beyond.

 
By general consensus, adult acne seems to be tied up with hormonal irregularities, particularly in women, who are likely to develop adult acne if their menstrual cycle shows signs of hormonal irregularity. And most adult women are likely to develop rosacea, which is not exactly acne, but darn sure looks like it and can be just as damaging socially and psychologically.

 
Studies show that cases of adult acne are increasing, and the American Dermatology Association has found that the median age for acne patients has risen from 20.5 years to 26.5 years. In the USA alone, more than 17 million adults have acne. While many of these people may have suffered from acne in their teenage as well, many more have developed it as adults. The core reason seems to be the same as in teen acne: overactive glands that produce excess androgen and thereby stimulate the sebaceous glands to produce more oil that clogs the pores and follicles in the skin. But does that make adult acne easier to bear? I wouldn’t say so.

Yes, there is a bacterium – first name Propionbacterium and last name acnes (P. Acnes, in short) – that lives in all skin types and is harmless on its own. However, the problem begins when a follicle is clogged. P. Acnes really comes into its own and starts breeding at an alarming rate under such conditions. As it breeds, it causes chemical changes that cause acne eruptions.

After the initial redness and swelling, the white blood cells start attacking the bacteria and try to get them out of your system, causing pustules. See, you’ll know what I mean when I point out that not a single acne remedy recommends that you kill P. Acnes in order to enjoy an acne-free existence. Rather, what you are asked to do is keep the follicles free by cleansing the pores and take steps to decrease sebum production. So it’s no point blaming the bacteria for something that it doesn’t do.

And now for some further good news: in 2004, European scientists sequenced the complete genome of P. Acnes, and even as you read this, research is on to find new treatments based on the new knowledge. “We have identified this target, and we want to see if we can block its enzymes that degrade tissues, and also block enzymes that interact with the immune system,” said Holger Brüggemann, lead author of a report on the sequencing, back in the July 30 issue of Science magazine. Cheers Holger!

 
And what will the rest do? Well, 20% may visit a skincare centre, nearly 30% will self-treat their acne with OTC (over the counter) medication, and, get this, 40% will do nothing. And that is truly beyond my comprehension. Why would an acne sufferer not seek medical or any other kind of help?

 
One reason may be that not everyone takes acne seriously. How many times have people told you that your acne will disappear as soon as you stop eating burgers and drinking cola? Bull, I say, because acne is most often an inherited condition that will only go away if you make it. Among those 60 million folks I mentioned earlier are 85% of America’s teenagers, and of these, 25% will bear permanent scars. Don’t you think that’s reason enough to worry?

 
With the number of treatment options available these days, there is absolutely no reason why acne should be something that we just have to live with. So raise the battle cry: Acne Avaunt! That means acne go away! But avaunt sounds neater, eh?

 
Okay, I may be biased because I’ve experienced such reactions first hand, but ask any acne sufferer and s/he will tell you how acutely damaging acne can be socially. Angelique Hennart, a French girl who went to school with me and was one of the few schoolmates who could look beyond my pustules to the person within, once wondered why more research was not conducted on the psychological and social impact of acne.

 
I couldn’t answer her then, but I can now. I think the reason is that acne is not rare enough to warrant research. I mean, almost everyone gets it, and it isn’t threatening to your overall health, if you come right down to it. And yet, people with acne can be socially withdrawn, lack self-esteem, depressed or angry or frustrated, and even jobless, because they can’t face the world. Worse, because acne is widely – and incorrectly – associated with dirt, people assume that those with acne are ‘unclean’. See? I told you the comparison was valid.

 
First up, for those who have relatively light scarring, try some of the branded creams and ointments for acne scar removal available at druggists’. Most of them work fairly well for all skin types, but if you are absolutely not sure, you should consult a skincare specialist before buying. And to be doubly sure, perform the old elbow test. You know, the one in which you rub some cream on your elbow to see how your skin reacts to it.

 
For those with heavy scarring, the outlook is a little gloomier, sadly. To begin with, you’ll definitely have to see a dermatologist. The good doctor will then prescribe some heavy-duty medication – oral or topical – and ask you to come back a month later. For really heavy scarring, such as my friend Jacob had, you need to undergo laser therapy or peeling therapy, and the jury’s still out on whether these cause any lasting damage to the skin.

 
Jacob, though, underwent laser therapy and is pleased witless about it. His scars – which made him look like Quasimodo from certain angles – have completely disappeared, and his gloating has been hard to take. From what I have seen, and read, laser therapy is fine if applied within certain parameters. Once again, ask the doc what these should be for you.

Using make up to hide your acne isn’t difficult, but you need to follow some essential steps. So the three things you have to use are concealer, foundation, and finishing powder. I am talking about women here, but men are welcome to try these too! Okay, when buying these three things, make sure they’re oil-free and they match your skin tone, same as you would if you were buying regular cosmetics.

I’m not going to waste space teaching you exactly how to apply the make up, I’m assuming you know that already, but I am going to tell you that you have to invest in branded products if you are going to get anywhere with your acne make up. Cheap stands for deadly in ths area, and I speak from personal experience (OK not mine ! but from my sister experience).

And like always, drink lots and lots of water, avoid oil-based cosmetics, and eat all the fruit you can. Just imagine what it will do for your unborn baby. The best thing is that all this may actually become a habit, so you develop a healthier lifestyle altogether. Now that’s a great reason to get pregnant. 

Essentially, all acne treatments focus on dealing with the causes of acne. Obviously, what medication your dermatologist prescribes will depend on how severe your acne is, but it will also depend on its cause.

In brief, the most widely available acne treatments are tried and tested ones. I have heard and read quite a bit about alternative acne treatments, but frankly speaking, have not had the courage to try any of them yet. The things that ain’t broken don’t need fixing. So I sticked to the topical creams and gels that my doc gave me(ohh.. and pills to). You may also have to take oral medicines such as antibiotics (i did it to). In rare cases, some people may require surgical procedures. Thankfully, I have not had to resort to light and laser therapy, but I hear they have worked wonders for some.

However, the commonest and most popular methods to treat acne are topical ones. So your best bet is to use a benzyl peroxide and salicylic acid combination, preferably not over the counter, but authentically prescribed. It is only when your acne does not respond to such treatment that you will require oral medication, or perhaps even surgery, God forbid.