Acne (pimples)
Acne is a skin disease that about 80 to 90 percent of all adolescents and young adults are affected in 20 years. The main distinguishing feature of acne are blackheads (comedones). Mild and moderate forms of acne can be customized with special cosmetics and prescription drugs treat yourself. If the acne is more severe or self-treatment after about 8 weeks no improvement occurs, a dermatologist should be consulted.
Whether treated or with medical assistance: a therapy always takes time. Up to a satisfactory outcome usually take several months.
About 80 to 90 percent of all adolescents and young adults under 20 are affected by acne. But many older people suffer from bad skin to have blackheads, pimples or acne. Of very severe form, are mainly affected young men. In most cases, an acne improved by 30 Of age.
In about 30 percent of cases, treatment is required by a dermatologist. Approximately 70 percent of people can be in their skin like pimples and blackheads treat successfully.
Complaints in acne
An acne can sometimes be difficult to distinguish from other skin blemishes associated with pimples, differ. The main distinguishing feature are blackheads (comedones). If not present, this is another form of skin from an impurity.
We distinguish mild, moderate and severe forms of acne:
Mild acne: The skin is large pores and slightly glossy to greasy. The blackheads are in front of all the T-zone (forehead, nose and chin) and are relatively little inflamed.
Moderate acne: in addition to comedones have also inflamed pustules and papules formed. You are not only in the face, but also in the range of cleavage, upper arms, chest and back.
Severe acne: blackheads, pustules and papules are other than serious, sometimes painful and severely inflamed lesions such as knots and scars exist. Of very severe acne are mainly affected young men.
Treatment of acne
Thorough and regular cleaning is the most important
No matter how severe the acne is high - a thorough and regular cleaning with the right products is essential.
The best care for all forms of acne:
2 times a day to wash skin, with gentle products such as synthetic detergents, washing gels or cleanser to remove excess sebum
After washing the skin with a slightly alcoholic tonic (Alkohlgehalt 5 to 10%) clean again and degrease. An alcohol content of more than 30% are not recommended, because then the skin becomes very dry.
Several times a week by an exfoliationto improve the draining of sebum, the horny cells of the skin and open comedones abzuschilfern to. In inflamed skin peels are not suitable.
For the care of the skin (oil-in-water emulsions) or fat-free gels using creams - no high-fat, skin care creams, as this also seal the pores
The care of the skin should be with creams (oil-in-water emulsions) or be fat-free gels.
Non-prescription drugs to treat mild to moderate acne
In mild and moderate acne drugs are also prescription should apply, the draining of sebum improve, reducing the cornification and fight the acne bacteria.
Non-prescription drugs are:
Benzoyl peroxide
Salicylic acid
Zinc oxide
Shale oil
Yeast (internal use)
In severe forms of acne should help the dermatologist
Severe forms of acne are in dermatological treatment. A doctor is also advisable if the self-treatment specific cosmetics and prescription drugs for 8 weeks with no significant success shows.
The dermatologist is prescription substances vitamin A-like substances or antibiotics as prescribed, the external, creams or gels are applied as solutions. If this is not successful, he can prescribe these drugs and oral.
Also, the gynecologist can help
Women with moderate or severe acne may be an oral contraceptive (pill)that the cyproterone acetate, chlormadinone acetate or dienogest containing active ingredients can prescribe. These drugs (progesterone) are antagonists of male hormones, the other to the excessive sebum production in acne (hyperseborrhea) are involved.
Causes of Acne
Combination of factors
In order for an acne, several factors must work together. These are:
excessive sebum in the skin (hyperseborrhea)
Excessive production of horny cells (hyperplasia), which clog the pores. formation of a "horny plugs"
Acne bacteria (Propionibacterium acnes)that the clogged pores will find ideal conditions in. You call out a inflammation and aggravate them.
As the horny plugs constitute clogs the pores of the skin can not flow more tallow and the result is a blackhead (comedo). Comedones may be open or closed. In the middle of open comedones often find black spots. This is not, as is often supposed to remove dirt, but a skin pigment (melanin).
Some medications promote acne
Some drugs are able to trigger or aggravate acne. Examples include:
Cortisone (steroid acne)
Anabolic steroids (doping acne ")
Some B-vitamins
Thyroid medication (anti-thyroid drugs)
Means to treat seizures (antiepileptic drugs)