Clear Skin Acne

How To Control Acne In Teens

Clear Skin Acne — Fri, 02 May 2008 17:12:00 +0000

By the time we reach adulthood, most of us have already dealt with the gnawing feelings of mild shame and embarrassment from acne. We experienced such things in our teens and twenties. But, teenagers don’t often have the same perspective. Already self-conscious about their bodies and how they appear to their peers, acne can have emotional and psychological impacts. Fortunately, with a little planning and diligence, teenagers can minimize the intensity of their acne and lessen the chances of long-lasting scars.

Acne Happens Naturally

Acne is a result of blocked oil in the pores. The production of this oil is regulated by hormones. Unfortunately, young adults’ hormones can often become hyperactive, leading to an increased production of oil. The overabundance of oil in the blocked pores essentially makes teenagers more susceptible to acne than adults (whose hormones are usually less active).
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How To Prevent Acne Scars

Clear Skin Acne — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 17:47:26 +0000

It’s estimated that nearly 80% of people under the age of 30 deal with acne. It may appear in different forms with varying levels of severity, but nearly everyone experiences it. Some people are fortunate; the acne goes away without leaving the slightest mark or blemish. Others are less fortunate. For them, acne can be severe, often persisting and leaving unsightly scars in its wake.

While there are several treatments (surgical and otherwise) available to lessen the intensity or even eliminate scarring, there’s plenty you can do to help prevent them in the first place. Below, we’ll give you a few tips on how you can help prevent acne scars.

Catching It Early

The most important factor in preventing acne scars is to treat the acne when it first appears. While it’s impossible to predict how severe acne lesions will be before they manifest, there is a correlation between how long acne lasts and the likelihood of scarring. Left on its own, acne can become inflamed, causing significant damage to the underlying skin tissue. It’s the body’s natural reaction to this damage that creates acne scars. If you identify and treat acne early, you can prevent the tissue damage from happening.

Don’t Attack It

Most people have an enduring (and inexplicable) need to take their acne in their own hands (literally). Rather than applying a remedy like benzoyl peroxide or exfoliating their skin, they prefer to squeeze or “pop” their pimples. But, doing this can actually heighten the chances or scarring. When you squeeze a pimple, the material (oil, bacteria, skin cells) collected in the follicle can be forced deeper. If the follicle wall ruptures deep, the dermis can be infiltrated by this material, causing tissue damage. Rather than squeezing your pimples and zits, apply a remedy like benzoyl peroxide.
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What Causes Acne Scars?

Clear Skin Acne — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 23:55:25 +0000

A severe case of acne is bad enough. But, when the acne disappears only to leave a trail of visible scars, it’s doubly-frustrating. Acne scars are often a permanent reminder of a skin disorder that can affect anyone. But, the damage left behind can have long-lasting impacts. Below, you’ll learn what causes acne scars and why the skin often has difficulty repairing itself after the acne disappears.

Spots Vs. Scars

Small red spots are often mistaken for acne scarring. But, they’re not scars. Those spots are called macules and mark the position of inflamed acne wounds. When the inflamed acne finally disappears, these macules are left behind. In effect, it’s the skin’s last stage of repair and can last up to 6 months. Over time, like the acne lesions that precede them, they go away without leaving any trace of their presence.
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What Are Whiteheads And Blackheads

Clear Skin Acne — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 22:50:24 +0000

Acne comes in different forms. Some appear as red bumps. They look like small areas of inflamed skin tissue and are typically sensitive to the touch. Others are known as “comedones.” They represent the first stage of blockage in the pores when a follicle becomes plugged with oil from the sebaceous gland and dead skin cells. Comedones are more commonly known as whiteheads and blackheads. Below, we’ll describe the difference between the two types of comedones as well as how to treat them when they appear.

Difference Between Whiteheads And Blackheads

Whiteheads are referred to as closed comedones. They contain sebum (oil secreted from the glands) and dead skin cells and have a tiny opening on the surface of the skin. However, this opening is so small that air cannot penetrate to oxidize the material trapped inside the follicle. As a result, this material remains white (hence, its name).
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What Causes Acne?

Clear Skin Acne — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 21:30:33 +0000

Our bodies are covered with sebaceous glands, hair follicles and of course, hair. These glands, follicles and the pores on the surface of our skin work together to nourish and moisturize our skin and hair. When something goes awry, acne appears. Despite what some people think, it usually has very little to do with hygiene. Instead, it’s a skin disorder that can affect anyone. Below, we’ll explain the process your body goes through to produce acne.

It Begins In Your Glands

Your sebaceous glands are attached to hair follicles. Hormones act as a catalyst for these glands, causing them to create sebum, an oil that helps your skin and hair retain a healthy sheen. Ideally, the sebum would fill the follicles and overflow onto your skin’s surface through your pores.
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