Acne Vulgaris
Acne vulgaris, commonly called acne, is a skin condition that effects most people at some time in their lives. It can occur during adolescence and into the adult years. Characterized by blackheads, whiteheads and blemishes of varying severity, acne vulgaris can be a minor problem or a major one.
Acne vulgaris begins when oil and dead skin clogs the pores of the face. It can also affect the neck, back, chest and shoulders. If the clogged pores get infected, the result is swelling, pus, inflammation, and tenderness.
Causes of Acne Vulgaris
The exact cause of acne vulgaris is not known. However, there are several factors that seem to start the process that leads to a breakout.
Overactive oil glands – In the teen years especially, but sometimes also during adulthood, the oil glands of the skin become extremely active, making the skin more oily. This oil can get clogged in pores leading to acne.
Hormonal fluctuations – Again, during puberty and the teen years, hormonal fluctuations seem to aggravate acne vulgaris. Adult women may have breakouts during times of hormone swings such as during the menstrual cycle or perimenopause.
Stress – Periods of high stress in a person’s life may bring breakouts.
Certain medications – Some medications can aggravate acne vulgaris, or make conditions right for acne to appear.
Genetics – Acne vulgaris seems to run in families.
Diet and Hygiene – It’s important to note that a bad diet or lack of cleanliness will not cause acne vulgaris. However, a healthy diet is instrumental in keeping your immune system up to par, and general cleanliness may help to inhibit the growth of bacteria that cause blemishes to become infected.
Controlling Acne Vulgaris
To control acne vulgais, the following steps can be taken. If you are unable to keep your acne in check this way, consult with your dermatologist.
Be sure to wash the affected area twice a day with a gentle cleanser made especially for acne vulgaris symptoms.
Gently exfoliate the affected area twice a week with an exfoliating product especially for acne. Do not scrub the area, as this may aggravate your acne vulgaris.
Use an over-the-counter anti-acne cream or gel that contains benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid.
Use make-up and moisturizers that say “noncomedogenic”. This means that they will not clog pores.
Do not squeeze or pick at acne lesions! This will only make acne vulgaris worse.
Keep your diet healthy and well balanced.
Be consistent with treating your acne vulgaris and you will see positive results in four to six weeks. If your acne vulgaris does not respond well to your at-home treatment, see your doctor or dermatologist. He or she will be able to prescribe more aggressive treatments to help clear up and control your breakouts. Remember that acne vulgaris can be treated, but you must be consistent and give any method of treatment time to work.
Acne vulgaris can occur during the teen or adult years and can cause a lot of stress along with diminished self-confidence. What is acne vulgaris? What are its causes? And most importantly, how can it be treated?