Acne is a common and distressing skin complaint. It predictably starts during puberty, affecting approximately three quarters of all 13-18 year olds, and can sometimes continue to affect people well into their adult lives. While research remains to be done on the exact cause of acne and there is no one definitive cure yet available, there are a number of treatments which can help to greatly reduce the symptoms.
So, what exactly is acne? Basically acne is a disease which causes spots and redness on the skin, most often on the face, neck, chest and back. These spots can be either whiteheads, blackheads, red or yellow spots or hard red swellings just below the surface of the skin. It occurs when the little glands below the surface of the skin produce too much sebum. This is an oily substance, used to keep the skin soft and supple. However if much sebum is produced it tends to clog up the tiny pores through which hairs grow out of the skin and this causes blackheads and whiteheads. To make matters worse, this build up of oil creates a perfect environment for a bacterium (Propionibacterium acnes) to grow. Your bodies immune system tries to fight this growth in bacteria causing the redness and inflammation which often comes with spots.
There are many myths surrounding the causes and treatment of acne. For example, acne is not caused by poor hygiene or a diet high in fats and sugars. nor is it contagious. Some things however do seem certain about the condition. High levels of some hormones, especially testosterone seem to cause acne, or at least make it worse. Increased stress levels too are known to exacerbate acne, although the exact reason for this is unknown but it may be because people under stress touch their face more often and so help to spread bacteria. There also seems to be a genetic link, since parents who are suffers tend to pass the condition on to their children.
There are many effective treatments for acne and your doctor will be able to prescribe the most appropriate one for you. There are also a number of self-help treatments which you can try. Basic hygiene is important to get rid of bacteria on the skin, so you should wash twice a day with a gentle cleanser and try to wash your hands before you touch your face, for example when applying make up.
Steaming the face or other affected parts can be a useful addition to your acne treatment programme. Although people with very severe acne are advised not to use steam treatment, for the vast majority of suffers, steaming can really help clear the complexion since it opens up the pores and at the same time increases sweating and so helps to flush impurities out of the skin. Since sweat is salty, it can also act as an antimicrobial agent, killing some of the bacteria found on the skin. Steaming also increases blood circulation, bringing greater amounts of oxygen and nutrients to the skin.
To increase the effectiveness of a home steam, some people add herbs or essential oils to the water. These can have very beneficial effects. Rose hip for example is high in vitamin A and useful for skin regeneration. Mint can help to break down the dirt and oil in your pores making it easier for them to be flushed away. Since stress is thought to play a role in acne outbreaks, adding lavender a known relaxant to your steam treatment may help.
You can steam your face at home over a bowl of very hot water, with a towel covering your head. However, there are facial steamers available which are more effective, convenient and indeed safer to use. Since these are relatively cheap to buy, they can prove to be a wise investment, bearing in mind that they will be used on a regular basis. Facial steamers come in a variety of designs. Some facial steamers are made to be used with ozone which has a drying and antibacterial effect. Others are portable and these tend to be small and quite handy to use, all you have to do is fill up the reservoir and turn them on. One advantage of a bought facial steamer is that you can choose to have a mist or full steam delivered to the face. Facial saunas are also available to buy and these too are a great way of detoxifying the skin and improving your complexion. In addition to a facial steam, using a steam room can also help acne found in other parts of the body. Generally steam treatments need to be done 2-3 times per week for the most beneficial results.
For those with problem areas on the back or chest, using a steam room in addition to a facial steamer can bring noticeable benefits, although you will need to regularly use the steamer for a few weeks to see the best results. Which ever kind of steam treatment you choose, it is vital to wash your face or shower immediately afterwards, in order to remove all the dirt and grime which has been drawn out by the steaming process. If left on the skin this can actually make the condition worse. - 16003
So, what exactly is acne? Basically acne is a disease which causes spots and redness on the skin, most often on the face, neck, chest and back. These spots can be either whiteheads, blackheads, red or yellow spots or hard red swellings just below the surface of the skin. It occurs when the little glands below the surface of the skin produce too much sebum. This is an oily substance, used to keep the skin soft and supple. However if much sebum is produced it tends to clog up the tiny pores through which hairs grow out of the skin and this causes blackheads and whiteheads. To make matters worse, this build up of oil creates a perfect environment for a bacterium (Propionibacterium acnes) to grow. Your bodies immune system tries to fight this growth in bacteria causing the redness and inflammation which often comes with spots.
There are many myths surrounding the causes and treatment of acne. For example, acne is not caused by poor hygiene or a diet high in fats and sugars. nor is it contagious. Some things however do seem certain about the condition. High levels of some hormones, especially testosterone seem to cause acne, or at least make it worse. Increased stress levels too are known to exacerbate acne, although the exact reason for this is unknown but it may be because people under stress touch their face more often and so help to spread bacteria. There also seems to be a genetic link, since parents who are suffers tend to pass the condition on to their children.
There are many effective treatments for acne and your doctor will be able to prescribe the most appropriate one for you. There are also a number of self-help treatments which you can try. Basic hygiene is important to get rid of bacteria on the skin, so you should wash twice a day with a gentle cleanser and try to wash your hands before you touch your face, for example when applying make up.
Steaming the face or other affected parts can be a useful addition to your acne treatment programme. Although people with very severe acne are advised not to use steam treatment, for the vast majority of suffers, steaming can really help clear the complexion since it opens up the pores and at the same time increases sweating and so helps to flush impurities out of the skin. Since sweat is salty, it can also act as an antimicrobial agent, killing some of the bacteria found on the skin. Steaming also increases blood circulation, bringing greater amounts of oxygen and nutrients to the skin.
To increase the effectiveness of a home steam, some people add herbs or essential oils to the water. These can have very beneficial effects. Rose hip for example is high in vitamin A and useful for skin regeneration. Mint can help to break down the dirt and oil in your pores making it easier for them to be flushed away. Since stress is thought to play a role in acne outbreaks, adding lavender a known relaxant to your steam treatment may help.
You can steam your face at home over a bowl of very hot water, with a towel covering your head. However, there are facial steamers available which are more effective, convenient and indeed safer to use. Since these are relatively cheap to buy, they can prove to be a wise investment, bearing in mind that they will be used on a regular basis. Facial steamers come in a variety of designs. Some facial steamers are made to be used with ozone which has a drying and antibacterial effect. Others are portable and these tend to be small and quite handy to use, all you have to do is fill up the reservoir and turn them on. One advantage of a bought facial steamer is that you can choose to have a mist or full steam delivered to the face. Facial saunas are also available to buy and these too are a great way of detoxifying the skin and improving your complexion. In addition to a facial steam, using a steam room can also help acne found in other parts of the body. Generally steam treatments need to be done 2-3 times per week for the most beneficial results.
For those with problem areas on the back or chest, using a steam room in addition to a facial steamer can bring noticeable benefits, although you will need to regularly use the steamer for a few weeks to see the best results. Which ever kind of steam treatment you choose, it is vital to wash your face or shower immediately afterwards, in order to remove all the dirt and grime which has been drawn out by the steaming process. If left on the skin this can actually make the condition worse. - 16003
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