Most people desire to have flawless, beautiful skin that does not need treatments and procedures to achieve a glow. A significant percentage of people scavenge through treatment options, hoping to land on one that may enhance their skin’s appearance. Treatment options include red light therapy that is available for home use like small devices or red light therapy beds. Anyone with acne-prone skin can attest to the agony of having the little bumps parade everywhere on their faces. Though it is easy for you to realize you have a bout of acne, it might be hard to understand possible triggers and how to prevent an attack.Glen Allen Absolute Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center specialist Patricia O’Connor, MD, attests that understanding the root cause of the problem may help find the best remedy to clear the unsightly bumps on your face.
What are the possible causes of acne?
Several things can make you prone to developing acne in various parts of your body. Acne mainly occurs on your shoulders, upper back, chest, and face because the areas contain the most sebaceous glands. Since your hair follicles are linked to your sebaceous glands, the follicle wall is likely to bulge, resulting in a whitehead. Alternatively, the clog may darken because of its exposure to air, resulting in a blackhead. At close range, you might think a blackhead is dirt trapped in pores. However, the pore-congestion results from a mix of bacteria and oil which is likely to turn brownish when hit by air.
The primary causes of acne include:
· Clogging of your hair follicles (by dead skin cells and oil)
· Overproduction of sebum
· Inflammation
· Bacteria
How are pimples different from blackheads?
Unlike blackheads that only result from blockages, pimples occur when you have a blockage and an inflammation deep inside your hair follicles. Pimples are reddish, raised spots that occur beneath your skin surface that show up on your skin.
Factors likely to worsen acne include:
· Hormonal changes
· Diet
· Certain medications
· Stress
· Genetics
· Lifestyle
· Environment
What are the types of acne you are likely to have?
Your body constantly regenerates and sheds off dead cells. Unfortunately, some of the dead cells get trapped with the sebum resulting in non-inflammatory acne. However, when a specific area of the skin has bacteria that are likely to mix with your oil glands and dead skin, you may have inflammatory acne. While inflammatory acne refers to bumps with outstanding appearances, non-inflammatory acne is those clogged pores on your skin’s surface with a similar appearance to whiteheads and blackheads.
How can your doctor help you manage acne?
Acne medication works by minimizing oil production or counteracting bacterial infection. Though most prescription medications to treat acne are effective, you might need a couple of months for the acne to clear. During treatment, the healthcare provider may analyze the type of your acne, the severity, and your age before recommending a treatment plan.
Your treatment options to help you clear the bumps from your face might include:
· Oral medications
· Topical medications
· Therapies like chemical peels and light therapy
Chances are high you might be having a bout of acne you know nothing about. Contact your doctor to know the various types of acne and receive guidance to suit your unique beauty goals.