Your Guide to Managing Your Acne
Acne is a skin condition that occurs when your hair follicles become plugged with oil and dead skin cells. Acne most commonly appears on your face, neck, chest, back and shoulders. Acne can be distressing and annoyingly persistent. Acne lesions heal slowly, and when one begins to resolve, others seem to crop up. Acne is a skin condition that causes pimples or “zits.” This includes whiteheads, blackheads, and red, inflamed patches of skin (such as cysts).
Depending on its severity, acne can cause emotional distress and lead to scarring of the skin. The good news is that effective treatments are available — and the earlier treatment is started, the lower your risk of lasting physical and emotional damage.
Causes
Acne occurs when tiny holes on the surface of the skin become clogged. These holes are called pores.
- Each pore opens to a follicle. A follicle contains a hair and an oil gland. The oil released by the gland helps remove old skin cells and keeps your skin soft.
- When glands produce too much oil, the pores can become blocked. Dirt, bacteria, and cells build up. The blockage is called a plug or comedone.
- If the top of the plug is white, it is called a whitehead.
- If the top of the plug is dark, it is called a blackhead.
- If the plug breaks open, swelling and red bumps occur.
- Acne that is deep in your skin can cause hard, painful cysts. This is called cystic acne.
Acne is most common in teenagers, but anyone can get acne, even babies. Hormonal changes may cause the skin to be more oily.
Acne tends to run in families. It may be triggered by:
- Hormonal changes related to puberty, menstrual periods, pregnancy, birth control pills, or stress
- Greasy or oily cosmetic and hair products
- Certain drugs (such as steroids, testosterone, oestrogen, and phenytoin)
- High levels of humidity and sweating
Research does not show that chocolate, nuts, and greasy foods cause acne. However, diets high in refined sugars may be related to acne.
Symptoms
Acne commonly appears on the face and shoulders. It may also occur on the trunk, arms, legs, and buttocks.
Findings include:
- Blackheads
- Crusting of skin bumps
- Cysts
- Papules (small red bumps)
- Pustules
- Redness around the skin eruptions
- Scarring of the skin
- Whiteheads
Exams and Tests
Your doctor can diagnose acne by looking at your skin. Testing is usually not needed.
Treatment
SELF-CARE
Steps you can take to help your acne:
- Clean your skin gently with a mild, non-drying soap (such as Dove, Neutrogena, Cataphyll, Goats Milk or the Hypercal Body Wash). Remove all dirt or make-up. Wash once or twice a day, including after exercising. However, avoid scrubbing or repeated skin washing.
- Shampoo your hair daily (Hypercal Light Conditioning Shampoo), especially if it is oily. Comb or pull your hair back to keep the hair out of your face.
What NOT to do:
- Try not to squeeze, scratch, pick, or rub the pimples. Although it might be tempting to do this, it can lead to skin infections and scarring.
- Avoid wearing tight headbands, baseball caps, and other hats
- Avoid touching your face with your hands or fingers.
- Avoid greasy cosmetics or creams. Take off make-up at night. Look for water-based or “noncomedogenic” formulas. Noncomedogenic products have been tested and proven not to clog pores and cause acne.
If these steps do not clear up the blemishes, try over-the-counter acne medications. You apply these products directly to your skin.
- They may contain benzoyl peroxide, sulfur, resorcinol, or salicylic acid.
- They work by killing bacteria, drying up skin oils, or causing the top layer of your skin to peel.
- They may cause redness or peeling of the skin.
A small amount of sun exposure may improve acne a little, but mostly it just hides the acne. However, too much exposure to sunlight or ultraviolet rays is not recommended because it increases the risk for skin cancer.
MEDICINES FROM YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER
If pimples are still a problem, a health care provider can prescribe stronger medications and discuss other options with you.
Antibiotics may help some people with acne:
- Oral antibiotics (taken by mouth) such as tetracycline, doxycycline, minocycline, erythromycin, trimethoprim, and amoxicillin
- Topical antibiotics (applied to the skin) such as clindamycin, erythromycin, or dapsone
Creams or gels applied to the skin may be prescribed:
- Retinoic acid cream or gel (tretinoin, Retin-A)
- Prescription formulas of benzoyl peroxide, sulfur, resorcinol, or salicylic acid
For women whose acne is caused or made worse by hormones:
- A pill called spironolactone may help
- Birth control pills may help in some cases, though they may make acne worse
Minor procedures or treatments may also be helpful:
- A laser procedure called photodynamic therapy may be used.
- Your doctor may also suggest chemical skin peeling, removal of scars by derma-abrasion, or removal, drainage, or injection of cysts with cortisone.
People who have cystic acne and scarring may try a medicine called isotretinoin (Accutane). You will be watched closely when taking this medicine because of its side effects.
Natural Alternatives:
- Cellande Skincare Cream Cleanser for gently cleansing and exfoliating the dry skin
- Cellande Hypercal Nourishing Cream for hydrating, nourishing and healing the skin
- Cellande Skincare Biomax for the repair of tissue damage caused by scarring or chemical peeling or laser treatments.
Pregnant women should NOT take Accutane, because it causes severe birth defects. Women taking Accutane must use two forms of birth control before starting the drug and enroll in the iPledge program. Your doctor will follow you on this drug and you will have regular blood tests.
Outlook (Prognosis)
Acne usually goes away after the teenage years, but it may last into middle age. The condition often responds well to treatment after 6 – 8 weeks, but it may flare up from time to time.
Scarring may occur if severe acne is not treated. Some people, especially teenagers, can become very depressed if acne is not treated. (Biomax for Scarring)
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Call your doctor or a dermatologist if:
- Self-care steps and over-the-counter medicine do not help after several months
- Your acne is very bad (for example, you have a lot of redness around the pimples or you have cysts).
- Your acne is getting worse.
- You develop scars as your acne clears up.
If your baby has acne, call the baby’s health care provider if acne does not clear up on its own within 3 months.
Alternative Names
Acne vulgaris; Cystic acne; Pimples; Zits
References
Zaenglein AL, Thiboutot DM. Acne Vulgaris. In: Bolognia JL, Jorizzo JL, Schaffer JV, et al, eds.Dermatology. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2012:chap 36.
Update Date: 11/20/2012
Updated by: Kevin Berman, MD, PhD, Atlanta Center for Dermatologic Disease, Atlanta, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by A.D.A.M. Health Solutions, Ebix, Inc., Editorial Team: David Zieve, MD, MHA, David R. Eltz, Stephanie Slon, and Nissi Wang.