Acne Breakouts – What Causes Acne Skin Care Problems?

It is a special day. No matter what “special” day it is, you can always count on that one thing to always be right there with you. I didn’t say it was a good thing! No, it is the unwanted and hated pimple! Why does it seem that those pimples only pop up on those special days that you want to look especially nice? You know, you always break out on picture day, or the day of your interview for a great job, or prom night, or your wedding day! Whatever the occasion, you can be sure it is going to happen! At least, that is how it seems!

Here’s the good news. There are some steps you can take to help prevent this from happening on those special days! There doesn’t seem to be a miracle acne treatment, however, there are things you can do to help keep those unwanted pests away!

What is Acne?
Acne is a term used for a few different skin irritations. When you have acne, you could have plugged pores (blackheads and whiteheads), pimples, and even deeper lumps (cysts or nodules) that can be found on the face, neck, chest, back, shoulders, and upper arms. Acne tends to affect tween and teens due to their hormonal changes. However, anyone can have acne. Whether you are in your 20’s or 40’s, everyone can be a target. Acne can lead to emotional and physical scars.

What causes acne breakouts?
Acne is being linked to the hormonal changes a young person endures from childhood to adolescence. The hormones that cause puberty can also cause the sebaceous (oil) glands to produce more oil.
A sebaceous follicle is created when the sebaceous glands are found together with a hair shaft. When a person goes through puberty, the cells of the skin that line the follicle start to shed more quickly. When people develop acne, the cells shed and stick together more often than in people who do not get acne. When the cells mix with the extra amount of sebum (oil), they can plug the opening of the follicle. While this is happening, the sebaceous glands still produce sebum, and the follicle swells up with the oil causing an inflammation on the skin.

Is there a treatment for acne?
Although there are many preventative methods that can be taken to prevent acne, there does not seem to be a cure that will prevent acne forever. There are many different acne skin care medications and acne cream and acne cleanser products promising fast or overnight results. You should take caution when you hear these words. Mild or severe acne does not clear up overnight. It takes approximately 6 to 8 weeks to see the initial results. Once you have cleared up the acne. Continued preventative treatment is necessary to prevent acne from re-appearing.
Because a resolution is determined by the cause of your acne, your skin type and the kind of acne you have, what works for you may not work for another, and vice versa. You will need to research the methods, and determine what route you want to go. Then, all you can do is experiment, until you find something that will work for you!

When should you see a dermatologist?
If you feel the methods you choose are just not working, it may be time to see a dermatologist. While you may feel the expense may be too high, consider the amount of money spent on methods that do not work. A dermatologist will consider the severity of your acne, the type of acne you have, any medical conditions you currently have, and also, your age, skin type, and lifestyle before prescribing a treatment.