What Is Acne?
Acne is a very common condition and affects as many as 80% of all adolescents, even persisting into adult life. Pimples appear on the face, chest and back but teens mostly suffer from outbreaks on the forehead, nose and chin. Acne is more commonly associated with the following words: pimples, whiteheads, zits, blackheads.
What Causes Acne?
There are of course many lifestyle factors that cause acne, but let’s discuss the science…
Acne is caused by the overproduction of sebum which is an oily substance that forms in the sebaceous glands just under the surface of the skin. This sebum flows out of hair follicles from the glands onto the skin to act as a natural skin moisturizer.
A blockage made up of sebum, dead skin cells, and bacteria can develop in the pores. The blockage is only microscopic at first but, as it gets bigger, it develops into a blackhead or whitehead. This results in acne. Most of the sebaceous glands are found on the face, neck, and back and this is where acne appears.
Types Of Acne / Pimples
Papules – which are small, red bumps that may be tender to the touch
Pustules – which are pus-filled pimples that are often red at the base
Nodules – large, painful lesions deep in the skin
Cysts – painful pus-filled lesions deeper in the skin that often creates “ice pick” scarring
The last two (nodules and cysts) are the most severe type of acne. A bacteria invade the hair follicle. The damaged hair follicle then weakens and bursts open, releasing sebum, bacteria, skin cells, and white blood cells into surrounding tissues. New skin cells form to take the place of the damaged area. and this results in scarring.
How To Prevent Acne
Keeping the skin clean is the first line of defense for acne prevention – together with a natural acne product. Treatment should always commence with regular cleansing before using any solution. Wash the face gently 2 to 3 times a day with a natural soap or non-soap cleanser. Avoid touching the skin and ensure that any make-up is water-based and carefully removed. Hair should be washed frequently and kept off the face.
You should never squeeze a whitehead or a blackhead. Blackhead removal using established acne solutions and acne products can be quick and easy.
Strengthen the immune system with a healthy lifestyle: no smoking, regular exercise, eating plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, free-range eggs and organic meats, and avoiding all sodas, artificial sweeteners, sugars, and refined and processed foods. Drinking plenty of filtered water will hydrate the skin and get rid of toxins.
One of the most natural remedies for acne is to top up your vitamin D levels and improve your skin with regular exposure to sunlight but not sunburn. A vitamin D3 supplement will do the job during the winter months.
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