What Causes Acne and Who Gets It?

If you want to cure your acne, you must first understand the underlying factors that cause it. Acne appears in different forms. Let's take a look at the primary reasons why people get acne and who is susceptible.
One of the primary culprits of acne is excess oil called sebum. Too much sebum can lead to your pores getting clogged. When your pores get clogged, it creates an anaerobic environment where the Propionibacteria Acnes bacteria can thrive. This causes an inflammation within the pores that creates acne.
There are also other things that increase the chance of acne. Certain makeup products can lead to clogged pores. Some medications can increase or change your hormone levels which cause a surge in oil production. Birth control pills can also change these levels. Pre-menopausal and pregnant women are subject to rapid hormone levels. It affects some women a few days before their period too.
One thing that might be surprising is that diet doesn't affect acne. Many people have incorrectly thought that eating chocolate or greasy foods is one cause of acne, but this isn't the case. Scientific studies have shown that diet is not a factor.
For some people, acne is hereditary. If you have a family history of acne, there is nothing you can do about it. You will have to treat your symptoms in order to get rid of acne. All acne treatments work by attacking the causes. They either reduce oil production, unclog pores, or fight the P. Acnes bacteria.

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Back Acne Causes And Seven Simple Back Acne Cures

Back acne is not only unsightly, it can also be extremely painful. Back acne sufferers, especially women, are likely to feel self-conscious when they wear spaghetti-strap clothing and swimwear. If you are one of these people who are struggling with this skin disorder, there is hope to get rid of back acne, or at least lessen it.
There are multiple causes of back acne. Once you hit puberty, your sebaceous glands start acting aggressively. The effects of back acne are more adverse since the sebaceous glands on your back are much bigger than those on your face. Even more sebum is produced, making the acne worse. Moreover, the skin on your back is much thicker than that on your face, this makes treatment for back acne a little more difficult.
Another cause of back acne is the fact that your back has a larger surface area than your face, increasing its exposure to potential irritants and pollution. Wearing tight clothing, dirty bedlinen, perspiration, irritants in soaps and shower gels, as well as every day surfaces that your back comes in contact can cause skin irritation which leads to a painful outbreak of back acne. The difficulty of reaching over your back to clean it properly can also result in clogged pores which is likely to cause back acne to form.
Here Are Seven Simple Back Acne Cures Which You Can Use:
1) Wear Comfortable Clothing
Wear loose fitting clothing made from natural fiber. Cotton absorbs perspiration and allows the skin to breathe, unlike synthetic fabrics.
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2) Change Your Bedlinen Weekly
Again, choose bedlinen made from natural fiber and make it a point to change your bedlinen weekly or at least bi-monthly to prevent dust and dirt from clogging your pores.
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3) Shower Daily
Practice good hygiene by showering daily and especially after exercise or activities that produces sweat. Using a mild scrub in the shower once a week to exfoliate away dead skin cells which may otherwise clog your pores.
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4) Apply Benzoyl Peroxide
After cleaning your skin with a mild anti-bacterial cleanser, apply a 10 percent benzoyl peroxide cream or gel to the affected areas. Be sure to allow the benzoyl peroxide application to dry before putting on your clothing or lying on your bed, to minimize any unwanted bleaching of your favorite shirt or bedlinen. If your back acne is severe, be sure to consult a dermatologist right away.
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5) Healthy Diet
Fresh fruits, vegetable, herbs and rich, nutritious foods like lentils and whole grains should be consumed in large amounts everyday. Instead of coffee, switch to green tea as it contains antioxidants which are effective against acne breakouts. You can also drink the fresh juices of aloe vera, lime and wheat grass to heal the painful acne on your back. Make sure the juices you drink is freshly prepared and that no sugar is added.
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6) Use Alcohol-Free and Oil-Free Bath And Shower Products
You can keep your pores from clogging by using oil-free and alcohol-free bath and shower products. Products containing salicylic acid may be helpful. You can also consider toiletries containing natural essential oils such as lavender, tea tree and jojoba oil.
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7) Water
This back acne cure is free and you can use it within seconds. Drinking between 1.5 and 2 liters of water everyday cleanses your system internally, allowing your body to eliminate toxins which may otherwise be eliminated through the skin in the form of acne. Try this in the morning before you eat your breakfast. Mix the juice of half a lemon and a teaspoon of honey in a glass filled with warm water. Drink this on an empty stomach.

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Acne Scars - What Causes Them and How to Prevent Them

Acne is a skin condition that affects 90% of the population at some point during their life cycle. It is unsightly, embarrassing and unattractive. Acne occurs as a result of blockage in the follicle of our pores. As a result our skin becomes irritated causing a pimple which is usually large, red and very unpleasant. Most people's reaction to acne especially when it appears out of nowhere is to immediately pop it. However, popping your pimples can cause scarring on your skin and what people don't realize is that once acne has formed it has already created scarring within the deeper layers of skin.
The body is a modern miracle within itself that has its own immune system. The immune system defends the body against foreign substances and keeps the system from being attacked. When acne metabolizes in a blocked follicle the immune system is trigger to send an inflammatory response. Although, the inflammatory response is the body's way of defending itself against acne it can also cause damage to the skin.
When acne forms in a blocked follicle, debris builds up and can back up into the dermis, the middle layer of skin. During an inflammatory response the body sends an overabundance of white blood cells and plasma to the affected area, which causes inflammation to protect the surrounding tissues and organs. Inflammation within the dermis is the actual cause of acne scars. The wound from where the debris overflowed into the dermis, tries to heal itself, however due to the inflammation too much collagen is left within the area causing a scar to be left within the skin. Acne scarring can be very noticeable causing pitting within the skin tissue or can be superficial and not very noticeable at all.
There are four typical forms of acne scars. They are defined based upon the look and shape of the actual scarring. The ice pick scars are the most common type of scarring. They are deep pits with steep sides and jagged edges, basically the size and shape an ice pick would leave behind. This type of scarring is normally found on the cheeks. Box car scars are oval shaped depressions within the skin and have sharp edges. These scars vary in depth and look like chickenpox scars. Box car scars are normally found on the cheeks and temples. Rolling scars have a wave like appearance. Typically appearing on the cheeks or forehead, rolling scars are a result of tissue damage beneath the top layer of skin. Lastly hypertrophic scars are small, red bumps. They can be thickened or resemble keloid scars.
The easiest way to avoid acne scars is to stop popping your pimples. This will decrease the superficial scars that appear on the surface of your skin. However, there are other ways to eliminate the scarring that forms within the dermis. Dermatologists have come up with several different procedures that can restore your skin by removing the scar tissue left behind from acne. Not every treatment is right for everyone; it is dependant upon the type of scarring you have.
Some of the procedures that dermatologists recommend are subcision, punch treatments, chemical peels, dermabrasion, laser resurfacing and acne creams. Treatments such as these although very effective can range in cost from $50 to $2500. Unfortunately the average person suffering from acne scars cannot afford these expensive treatments. However, there are several natural acne treatments that can be used within the comfort of your own home that can not only resolve your acne scars but also won't cause side effects or several days of healing.
Natural treatments are becoming more and more popular because they have no adverse side effects; they are low in cost, and easily used at home. For people who have sensitive skin, natural skin remedies won't harm or injure the skin. Drinking lots of water and maintaining a healthy diet with lots of antioxidants, fruits and vegetables will not only improve the health of your skin but it can also cleanse and rejuvenate damaged skin cells. Drinking lemon juice daily will shed dead skin cells and grow new healthier, more elastic skin. Lemon juice greatly reduces the presence of acne scars. Apply aloe gel to acne scars. Aloe is known for its healing properties. Using aloe gel directly from the plant is the best source however using an aloe product will work just as well. Honey is also a natural skin healer. Apply honey directly to the face for 10 minutes and then rinse. Honey will kill bacteria within the skin that causes the formation of acne. You have seen people put cucumbers over their eyes to reduce dark circles; well putting cucumber juice on your face can tighten the pores allowing less debris to build up.
Whatever home remedy you choose; remember it may take a couple of days up to a week to notice a difference in your skin. Don't get discouraged, there are several home treatments out there, so if the first one doesn't do enough for you, then try another one, there is one that is right for you!

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Acne Marks and Scars - What Causes Them and How to Prevent Them

Acne is a skin disorder or disease that can rear its ugly head when you least expect it. It is not discriminating - it attacks men and women of all ages, shapes and sizes.
Acne scaring can be seen on many different forms depending on how severe the acne problem. I have seen many young adults with terrible scaring due to constant picking and squeezing of the skin and lack of sunscreen usage.
Regardless of what caused your acne marks and scars, you have the power to control this inconvenient pest.
I know you are tempted to pick and squeeze the bumps when they pop up but DON'T!
Pesky pimple picking can cause the bacteria to spread to other areas making the problem worse and prolonging the healing time.
There are pigment producing cells that are under the surface of your skin that respond to trauma. An example is when you have sunburn; you turn brown with in a few days. So after the pimple is gone you have the mark left over.
But have no fear my faithful readers as there is a solution!
Reduce your risk of more infection, scars and marks by keeping your hands off. Avoiding the sun and wearing good sunscreen will also help to prevent the marks.
If you are experiencing acne, you can use a small amount of Aloe Vera as the wound heals.
If you have experienced scarring, apply Vitamin E to the problem areas before you go to bed at night.
Get real control over your acne by talking to a professional about products that will really work for you and keep your skin healthy and smooth.

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What Causes Acne Scarring Anyway?

Acne scars result from skin damage caused by healed acne wounds. The types of acne scars are as varied as the types of acne lesions. This variety arises because of the multiplicity of ways an acne lesion can form.

For example, an acne eruption may originate deep within the fatty tissue of the skin as the in the case of cysts or nodules.

Then again, the acne mark may form just beneath the epidermis as a result of pore irritation as in the case of the comedone. A non-inflamed closed comedone is a pore blocked by excess oils, keratin and/or skin cells.

Because excess bacteria and free fatty acids irritate the pore, the proceeding localized inflammatory response causes the pore to expand.

However, once the inflammation is removed, the acne lesion can begin the healing process.

The origin of the acne lesion within the skin will impact if and how an acne scar forms.

Another factor that shapes the development of an acne scar is how the lesion was treated. If an acne patient prematurely "pops" or opens and acne lesion, this could result in acne scarring.

Types of acne scars

In November of 1999, the British Journal of Dermatology published a study on the effectiveness of laser resurfacing to treat acne scars. During the investigation, the designers defined two types of acne scars, atrophic ("ice-pick") scars and raised acne scars. Additionally, acne patients may experience a third type of acne scar-- flat, pigmented marks.

Atrophic ("Ice-pick") Acne Scars

Atrophic acne scars appear as round indented marks in the skin. Their size can range from 0.254mm to 2.540mm in diameter. The dept of an atrophic acne scar can vary between 0.254mm to 0.762mm.

According to review of acne scar pathology Greg J. Goodman published in the 2001 edition of the Australian Journal of Dermatology, the skin indentations associated with atrophic acne scars typically results from the contraction of the skin's surface layers.

The depth and width of an atrophic acne scar is influenced by the loss of collagen, and sometimes fat loss, that results from the healed acne lesion.

Raised Acne Scars

Raised acne scars or keloid scars are less common than "ice-pick" type acne scarring.

Pigment Acne Scars

A number of acne lesions can form, or move, to the surface of the skin. Such lesions include blackheads and pustules (pus-filled acne lesion on the surface of the skin). Due the unwanted presence of such blemishes on the face, acne patients are tempted to burst or squeeze such skin imperfections prematurely.

Since these acne lesions are closer to the upper layer of the skin than deep acne lesions like cysts, pustules and blackheads generally do no leave indented acne scars.

This is because their anti-inflammatory healing process involves less collagen repair and little if any fat loss.

Nevertheless, because acne lesions like pustules and blackheads are on the surface of the skin, their repair can involve the build-up of skin scales to repair the opened wound. The build-up of skin cells concentrates the brown skin pigment melanin, which creates the circular, darker toned scars where the acne lesion once resided.

Given that the skin is designed to repair itself, not all acne lesions are doomed to result in acne scarring.

Allowing your body time to remove pore inflammation and expel cellular waste emitted by acne lesions create an optimal environment for a scar-less healing of your acne marks.

So, the next time you have an acne lesion, before you do anything crazy like pop it or squeeze it, ask yourself, "If I do this now, am I going to give myself an acne scar?" Think about it.

Naweko San-Joyz founded Noixia [http://www.Noixia.com] - a self-service image makeover company. San-Joyz has authored several books and articles that focus on do-it-yourself beauty makeovers including “Acne Messages: Crack the code of your zits and say goodbye to acne” and “Skinny Fat Chicks: Why we’re still not getting this dieting thing”. She lives and works in San Diego, California.

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

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Causes Behind Acne Breakouts and Ways to Treat Them

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In seeking to have an acne free face, you must know first the different causes behind the occurrence of this skin condition for you to determine the appropriate home acne remedy. So the following reasons are oil in the skin, the skin's pores, acne bacteria and skin inflammation.

The appearance of oil in the skin is usually noticed first during the adolescent stage. This is actually a normal part of the growth of a person. However, when the skin is not taken care of, the side effect of acne breakouts may happen as oil starts to stay on the face. Another reason is the skin pores wherein when the oil stays on the face; it can mix with the dirt of the skin which will block the pores thus the occurrence of acne. Those clogged pores will also be a great avenue for bacteria to multiply and when this happens, the skin becomes irritated and inflamed and acne again occurs. Lastly, when skin inflammation happens brought about by the existing acne, another acne may form while the other old acne starts to fade.

Now that we know the most common reasons behind the occurrence of acne, we can now determine how we will remedy them through home treatments. One effective home remedy is through practicing good hygiene. Though being hygienic doesn't stop the production of oil in the skin, it can keep your skin clean. You may also use mild facial cleanser and non pore-clogging moisturizer while checking that your skin is not too dry. Remember also not to pick your face to avoid spreading the oil and bacteria.

The second home remedy is through using salicylic acid which will help some pores which were clogged over time. This ingredient works through dissolving the blockages of the pores thus preventing acne from forming. Benzyl Peroxide is another ingredient that helps prevent acne formation through depriving the bacteria with its needed oxygen. It is both effective in preventing acne formation and the multiplication of bacteria.

If you follow the three basic skin care treatments mentioned above, you will surely notice changes in the formation of acne. However, you should be careful not to cause excessive skin dryness since that can generate more oil and can worsen the skin problem. Thus in the application of those ingredients mentioned above, gradually use them and adjust the dosages so the skin can adjust well to it.

If you're interested in more information about causes of acne, then make sure to visit our web site. We provide honest ratings, reviews, and comparisons on the top acne treatment, and much more.

Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert

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Acne Scars - What Causes Them and How to Prevent Them

Acne is a skin condition that affects 90% of the population at some point during their life cycle. It is unsightly, embarrassing and unattractive. Acne occurs as a result of blockage in the follicle of our pores. As a result our skin becomes irritated causing a pimple which is usually large, red and very unpleasant. Most people's reaction to acne especially when it appears out of nowhere is to immediately pop it. However, popping your pimples can cause scarring on your skin and what people don't realize is that once acne has formed it has already created scarring within the deeper layers of skin.
The body is a modern miracle within itself that has its own immune system. The immune system defends the body against foreign substances and keeps the system from being attacked. When acne metabolizes in a blocked follicle the immune system is trigger to send an inflammatory response. Although, the inflammatory response is the body's way of defending itself against acne it can also cause damage to the skin.
When acne forms in a blocked follicle, debris builds up and can back up into the dermis, the middle layer of skin. During an inflammatory response the body sends an overabundance of white blood cells and plasma to the affected area, which causes inflammation to protect the surrounding tissues and organs. Inflammation within the dermis is the actual cause of acne scars. The wound from where the debris overflowed into the dermis, tries to heal itself, however due to the inflammation too much collagen is left within the area causing a scar to be left within the skin. Acne scarring can be very noticeable causing pitting within the skin tissue or can be superficial and not very noticeable at all.
There are four typical forms of acne scars. They are defined based upon the look and shape of the actual scarring. The ice pick scars are the most common type of scarring. They are deep pits with steep sides and jagged edges, basically the size and shape an ice pick would leave behind. This type of scarring is normally found on the cheeks. Box car scars are oval shaped depressions within the skin and have sharp edges. These scars vary in depth and look like chickenpox scars. Box car scars are normally found on the cheeks and temples. Rolling scars have a wave like appearance. Typically appearing on the cheeks or forehead, rolling scars are a result of tissue damage beneath the top layer of skin. Lastly hypertrophic scars are small, red bumps. They can be thickened or resemble keloid scars.
The easiest way to avoid acne scars is to stop popping your pimples. This will decrease the superficial scars that appear on the surface of your skin. However, there are other ways to eliminate the scarring that forms within the dermis. Dermatologists have come up with several different procedures that can restore your skin by removing the scar tissue left behind from acne. Not every treatment is right for everyone; it is dependant upon the type of scarring you have.
Some of the procedures that dermatologists recommend are subcision, punch treatments, chemical peels, dermabrasion, laser resurfacing and acne creams. Treatments such as these although very effective can range in cost from $50 to $2500. Unfortunately the average person suffering from acne scars cannot afford these expensive treatments. However, there are several natural acne treatments that can be used within the comfort of your own home that can not only resolve your acne scars but also won't cause side effects or several days of healing.
Natural treatments are becoming more and more popular because they have no adverse side effects; they are low in cost, and easily used at home. For people who have sensitive skin, natural skin remedies won't harm or injure the skin. Drinking lots of water and maintaining a healthy diet with lots of antioxidants, fruits and vegetables will not only improve the health of your skin but it can also cleanse and rejuvenate damaged skin cells. Drinking lemon juice daily will shed dead skin cells and grow new healthier, more elastic skin. Lemon juice greatly reduces the presence of acne scars. Apply aloe gel to acne scars. Aloe is known for its healing properties. Using aloe gel directly from the plant is the best source however using an aloe product will work just as well. Honey is also a natural skin healer. Apply honey directly to the face for 10 minutes and then rinse. Honey will kill bacteria within the skin that causes the formation of acne. You have seen people put cucumbers over their eyes to reduce dark circles; well putting cucumber juice on your face can tighten the pores allowing less debris to build up.
Whatever home remedy you choose; remember it may take a couple of days up to a week to notice a difference in your skin. Don't get discouraged, there are several home treatments out there, so if the first one doesn't do enough for you, then try another one, there is one that is right for you!
Graduated with a BA in exercise science and have worked in the medical field since. My focus is alternative medicine however all aspects of health interest me.

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