10 Surprising Facts About Acne
Though acne can occur in people of all ages, it’s most common in teenagers and young adults, affecting up to 80% of them during their teenage years. Many believe this skin condition affects only the face, but it actually appears on other parts of the body as well, including the chest, back, neck, shoulders and even buttocks. If you want to know more about acne and its possible causes, here are 10 surprising facts about acne that you may not have known before now!
1) People all over the world get acne
One in five people aged 12 to 25 suffers from acne, and the average age of onset is 17. However, many people who have never had it are also beset by a chronic condition called adult acne. It seems that this type of acne affects men more than women: 16% of men suffer from it as opposed to 8% of women. Skin care professionals theorize that testosterone levels may contribute to the rise in male cases, but scientists are still trying to figure out why some adults start getting breakouts well into their adulthood. A major cause of acne is bacteria on the skin: Studies show that 95% of pimples come from within, not without. But what causes this inflammation? Experts believe it's related to increased hormones and an overproduction of sebum (a natural oil produced by your skin). Whatever the reason, those two factors lead to clogged pores which make bacteria grow - so washing your face regularly with a non-drying cleanser will help keep your pores clean.
People with oily skin should avoid products containing alcohols or perfumes which can dry out their already-oily skin even more - or find moisturizers specifically for oily skin types. Those with sensitive skin might need to opt for hypoallergenic ingredients like aloe vera or plant extracts. And if you're prone to breakouts around your menstrual cycle, try changing up your routine so you don't use the same products each day. If all else fails, see a dermatologist who may prescribe oral antibiotics or topical creams designed specifically for treating acne in adults. You'll want to continue treatment for at least four months before deciding whether or not it's working. Topical treatments work best when used in conjunction with other measures such as light therapy, laser therapy, photodynamic therapy, and microder. Oral isotretinoin can be prescribed only after other therapies have been tried.
2) Acne is more than a pimple
Acne is more than a pimple. It's an inflammatory skin condition that includes redness, blackheads, whiteheads, cysts and scars. Pimples are mostly on the face but also common on the back, neck, chest and sometimes arms. Dermatologists find acne can be hereditary or could be triggered by hormones or certain foods. Plus, 85% of Americans between ages 10-30 have had at least one episode of acne! But, this doesn't mean you need to suffer with it for life. There are many treatments for acne including topical creams, oral antibiotics, isotretinoin (a pill), as well as lasers and light therapy. Here are ten surprising facts about acne 1) Your genes can make you more prone to breakouts: Believe it or not, your genes may affect how much acne you experience. Research has shown that certain gene variations may make some people more prone to breaking out than others; this may be due to differences in their skin’s ability to respond appropriately to inflammation. Scientists still don’t know why some people develop these gene variations while others don’t—but so far studies suggest it might depend on a person’s ethnicity. Studies also show that different types of acne may run in families: for example, if your parents struggled with severe cystic acne when they were younger, there’s a good chance you will too! 2) You're not alone: More than 85% of Americans between the ages of 10 and 30 have experienced acne at some point in their lives. 3) Clearasil makes all the difference: Clearasil makes all the difference! A recent study found that treating existing spots with benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, or glycolic acid made them go away sooner rather than later. Topical products work best when applied to clean skin after washing. 4) Blackheads are actually kind of cool: Blackheads are actually kind of cool because they give dermatologists clues about what kinds of bacteria live on our faces - which helps us diagnose infection before it gets worse. When it comes to clearing up blackheads, doctors usually recommend using an over-the-counter topical medication containing retinoids, sulfur, or alpha hydroxy acids. In addition to these treatments, doctors may prescribe anti-inflammatory medications like birth control pills. 5) We're sorry...: If you've been dealing with acne for a long time and the thought of popping your own zits makes you cringe (or triggers flashbacks from childhood trauma), take heart--you are not alone! The majority of adults say they would prefer someone else remove their blemishes instead of doing it themselves.
3) We are told we are dirty if we have acne
Acne, is skin's most common type of acne. It can range from mild to severe and can happen on your face, chest, neck, back, or other parts of your body. Usually people start getting acne in their teens and early 20s for males and females. For some people it goes away by the time they reach adulthood or may not show up until later years in life.
Acne happens when hair follicles get clogged with oil or dead skin cells and bacteria sticking together that are then released into the pore, then blackheads (comedones) come from these plugs of oily stuff that was caught in the pore. We are told we are dirty if we have acne, but it is actually our bodies way of trying to release toxins from the inside out. There are four different types of acne: comedonal acne-blackheads and whiteheads; inflammatory acne-redness or swelling; papular acne-small red bumps under the surface of the skin; nodular/cystic acne-larger lumps deep under the surface of the skin that might be painful if touched. The severity will depend on genetics, hormones, and immune system response, but you don't need a bad gene to have bad looking skin-- even a good gene can have a bad reaction if conditions aren't right. 1. Stress can increase how much sebum (oil) your skin produces and make an existing pimple worse.
2. Dieting changes hormone levels which may lead to breakouts.
3. Picking at acne causes scars which can last long after the breakout is gone so avoid picking!
4. Some medications like birth control pills or antibiotics may lead to breakouts due to changing hormone levels again so consult with a doctor before making any changes!
5. Warm showers open pores, so consider taking cooler showers instead for a clearer complexion. 6. If you want to pop a pimple, dab some hydrogen peroxide on first to kill the bacteria before popping because picking at an active infection can cause scarring and give it more time to spread. 7. Bacteria loves warm dark places, so wash your sheets often and try switching your pillowcase more often as well! 8. Sometimes oral contraceptives can help reduce acne as well as benzoyl peroxide creams that contain erythromycin or tetracycline according to doctors. 9.
4) No one dies from acne!
Though you may believe that acne will go away on its own, the truth is that 85% of people living with acne still have active acne at 20 years old. This is because about 80% of teenagers and 20% of adults will get another pimple within eight weeks following a breakout. Dermatologists can prescribe topical treatments, oral antibiotics or hormone therapy to help clear your skin and prevent new breakouts from occurring. If these treatment methods do not work, then your dermatologist might advise surgery to permanently remove all or parts of your sebaceous glands to lessen oil production. Patients who undergo this procedure should be aware that it does come with risks such as infection, scarring and long-term dryness. These risks depend on which type of surgery is done and what areas are being operated on. After the operation, patients are advised to use an SPF 30+ sunscreen everyday for protection against UV rays. There are also many different treatments available over the counter to reduce acne. For example, benzoyl peroxide kills bacteria in pores and erythromycin creams kill bacteria by suppressing inflammation and decreasing oil production. Another way to treat mild acne is by using glycolic acid toners that exfoliate dead skin cells and minimize redness by removing any dirt or makeup buildup on the surface of your face. For more severe cases, Accutane (a prescription medication) is often prescribed to improve damaged skin tissue caused by inflammatory cells in clogged pores. The downside to this medication is that there are several potential side effects such as gastrointestinal issues, birth defects if taken during pregnancy and suicidal thoughts. Furthermore, some studies suggest taking Accutane during adolescence can lead to early puberty which could lead to problems like stunted growth, cognitive difficulties and delayed motor skills development. As for non-prescription treatments: there are plenty of masks out there! One popular option includes a clay mask made with Bentonite clay powder and apple cider vinegar to suck up excess oils. But make sure the clay mask doesn't contain heavy metals like aluminum silicate or titanium dioxide before applying it. The safest masks would be those without aluminum chloride hexahydrate because they've been linked to irritation of skin membranes, headaches and even seizures in rare cases. Even though acne is common, it is possible to live a healthy life with minimal breakouts. Stay hydrated and try to avoid foods that cause acne like sugar, chocolate, processed meats and dairy products.
5) Stay away from those who make fun of you for having it
Avoiding people who make fun of you for having acne is a great way to cope with the stress. The next time someone makes fun of you, don't try to tell them why they're wrong, just walk away and surround yourself with people who understand you. Furthermore, your parents or friends may be better at handling your acne than you are: They may have had similar experiences in their lives that help them know what to do when things get tough.
Don't be embarrassed by it: You should feel confident in your skin no matter what condition it's in. Stop comparing yourself to others. If you want someone else's opinion on your skin, ask an adult close to you. Finally, let those around you know how much acne has been affecting your life so they can help support you through this difficult time. We all go through ups and downs in our lives, but that doesn't mean we should stay there. We are stronger than we think! It only takes one person to change everything. Make a list of what might be bothering you, and share it with an adult or friend. Then take some steps towards solving each issue as if nothing were happening. Remember that acne won't last forever, because you will always grow out of it eventually! There are also lots of treatments available such as facials, masks, creams, scrubs and more. With these tips and tricks you'll never have to worry about having acne again! Let me know what you think in the comments below! Have any other questions? Comment below or send me a messagevia Facebook! I'm happy to answer anything!
6) Having bad skin can lead to low self-esteem and depression.
Acne affects at least 50 million Americans, whether they are in their teens or well into adulthood. Studies have shown that it can lead to low self-esteem and depression. Psychologists say that when we look in the mirror and see acne, our brain experiences pain.
The next time you feel like your skin is betraying you, remember these ten facts about acne
7) The longer you have had it, the harder it will be to go away
I had acne for 10 years and it never went away completely, but I found some things that made it better. The first thing to do is use a great facial cleanser to wash your face. This is the most important step in battling acne and will help prevent new breakouts from forming. Use something that has salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide as an active ingredient. Follow up with a moisturizer like Cetaphil moisturizing cream, which can be found at your local drugstore. And if you're having other skin issues like sun damage or excessive dryness, using an over-the-counter treatment cream will get rid of them while also fighting the breakout problem at the same time. Sometimes these treatments take longer than what's advertised on the box, so try not to give up hope. If you have severe acne, you should see a dermatologist who may prescribe a topical antibiotic or oral medication. But if all else fails (i.e., everything listed above), your doctor may prescribe Accutane--a powerful medication that is reserved for more severe cases. Other less aggressive options include birth control pills, spironolactone (which is only available by prescription) and Roaccutane. My sister tried Spironolactone and she loved it because her skin was clearer in just a few weeks! It’s worth a shot if you don’t want to put anything else into your body, or go through the hassle of taking pills every day. You’ll still need to follow up with a good routine though: lots of water, no junk food, sunscreen, etc. This type of acne tends to stay around for life: I'm 20 now and my acne is finally starting to clear up. Once again, a lot of people are always asking me how old I am and when did it start? They usually guess about 12-14 years old. All the high school kids are amazed when they find out my age. I wish someone would've told me sooner that the earlier you start washing your face, wearing sunscreen, and eating healthy, the better off you'll be. I wish someone would've told me sooner that there were different types of acne too. For example, back then everyone thought any sort of acne was blackheads and whiteheads. Now we know there are different types such as whiteheads and cysts which come from hormonal imbalances or reactions to bacteria or inflammation from trauma. Cystic acne is actually the worst, because it’s caused by a build-up of sebum, dead cells and bacteria in the hair follicle. This is often very painful and takes a long time to heal. To treat this type of acne, you will need to apply an anti-bacterial gel or ointment onto the spot for three days in a row and leave it for ten minutes before wiping it off. This will work to kill the bacteria without drying out your skin. Most importantly, you will need to make sure you are drinking enough water and following a nutritious diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables. I found that the more fresh produce I ate, the better my skin looked. But it’s hard for me to remember because I was living off fast food for so many years. As a result, my acne got worse and worse until one day I woke up and realized it was making me feel terrible. There are tons of things you can do to prevent or at least manage acne, but it is an ongoing process that won't ever be 100% gone.
8) It causes scarring
Acne scars form as the skin heals after a breakout, and since acne is caused by clogged pores, people with severe cases are more likely to scar. But here's the real zinger: People of all skin types can get acne. And those who don't are more likely to be depressed and have a worse quality of life because they aren't able to move on from acne's emotional effect. Those little bumps you see on your face? They're called comedones. They're made up of oil and dead skin cells that clog up your pores, causing them to swell. If bacteria gets into these blocked pores, you'll experience an inflammatory response that leads to redness and pus-filled pimples (aka whiteheads or blackheads).
The whole process can take weeks or months before it shows up on your face, so most people will pop their pimples without knowing they had one in the first place. Yep, that means picking at your pimples causes even more breakouts! There's also evidence linking hormones like testosterone and estrogen with increased breakouts for some people. These hormones control how much oil your body produces, which directly affects how shiny your skin looks. Plus, we've talked about stress contributing to acne before—it turns out stress might affect hormonal levels and contribute to inflammation in the body. You can avoid this by relaxing with a warm bath when you feel stressed out. Aromatherapy oils like lavender or jasmine essential oils could help too! Certain foods, such as chocolate and greasy foods, can trigger breakouts for some people. Check out our list of the five worst food triggers for acne if you want to make sure what you eat isn't worsening your condition. And there's good news: Stressful situations won't last forever, just like pimples won't either! It might take time to heal depending on how bad your acne is, but remember that once it clears up, the risk of scarring goes down significantly. That's why we recommend treating breakouts as soon as possible. Avoid popping pimples by using products that clear acne and gently exfoliate the top layer of skin. For more extreme cases, you may need prescription medication to really knock out your breakout. Here are some options: Azelaic acid gel, antibiotic gels or creams, benzoyl peroxide creams, or tretinoin cream (commonly known as Retin-A). Just remember not to pick at the blemishes! Not only does it increase irritation and prevent healing; you can actually cause damage to your healthy tissue around the blemishes. Use a clean, dry washcloth to gently dab the pimple and apply a spot treatment, then cover with makeup. Sun exposure can also make your acne worse, so always wear sunscreen!
9) Women get it too!
Pimples may be predominantly a guy thing, but they can also crop up on the fairer sex. In fact, women are more likely to suffer from acne in their 40s than in their 20s or 30s. Once you hit menopause and the levels of estrogen in your body decline, this causes your skin's natural oil-producing glands to slow down. This lack of oil upsets the balance between moisture and sebum, causing plugs to form deep within pores where dirt has been hanging out all day. Pores become blocked with oil and sebum and when clogged pores become inflamed (aka pimples), so start paying attention to what's going on under your skin! Make sure you're not over washing your face because that will just make it worse. The best way to manage acne is by using a gentle cleanser, avoiding harsh exfoliants, scrubbing too hard or often and drying the face with hot towels. You'll want to avoid greasy moisturizers because they make skin produce even more oil which can worsen breakouts. It's also important to drink plenty of water as dehydration contributes to breakouts by weakening collagen production and increasing inflammation in the skin - yikes! And don't forget SPF during sun exposure as excess UV light creates an inflammatory response that triggers outbreaks; always use sunscreen rated at least SPF 15 for full protection from both UVA and UVB rays. Choose one labeled broad spectrum which offers defense against both types of rays. Lastly, if you want to get rid of zits ASAP, there are two things you can do: Try tea tree oil instead of benzoyl peroxide. Tea tree oil contains high amounts of naturally occurring compounds called terpenes which have antiseptic properties that fight bacteria responsible for acne I hope these facts help clear up some misconceptions about pimples and shed some light on how to take care of them responsibly!
A lot of guys think women never deal with acne or only experience a mild version of it that clears up quickly. But guess what? Breakouts are no laughing matter for many ladies. According to author Dr Natasha Turner in her book Acne & Emotional Wellbeing, around 17 percent of women aged 25 to 29 years old reported experiencing moderate or severe acne symptoms every week compared to 10 percent who never had issues and another 11 percent who only had mild cases. That's nearly one in five young women!
10) You do not need expensive products. All you need is good hygiene and proper diet.
Most people believe that in order to get rid of acne, you need to buy expensive products. However, this is not true. All you need is good hygiene and proper diet. By taking the time to keep your skin clean and avoid food that can exacerbate acne such as processed foods high in sugar, salt or unhealthy fats; the severity of your acne will lessen. You do not need a fancy face scrub. Regular soap will do.: There are so many different types of face scrubs available on the market today it is easy to be confused about which one is best for your needs. But don't fret! You don't need a fancy face scrub to reduce acne. Regular soap does just fine if you're washing regularly and keeping up with basic care routine - like regular cleansing, moisturizing and applying sunscreen when necessary. If you wash your face three times a day, use water-based makeup remover at night and limit using oily creams and lotions during the day then you should see results after two weeks. Eat nutritious foods: Contrary to popular belief that eating junk food causes acne, eating well actually has been shown to help decrease it. Foods rich in antioxidants (i.e., dark leafy greens) provide nutrition needed for healthy looking skin while also promoting circulation which helps clear out oil deposits trapped beneath the surface of your skin.: It is important to eat healthily because when we have an imbalance of hormones from poor diet our bodies produce more sebum (oil) than usual and these excess oils clog pores resulting in acne breakouts. Consuming plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and healthy fats keeps your hormones balanced and promotes clearer skin. For people who have excessively oily skin, decreasing saturated fat intake may lead to some improvement.
Include a quote by someone affected by acne:
I feel so much better now that I know how to manage my acne.
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