How to get rid of acne? Guide with answers to the most frequently asked questions about acne

1. Causes of acne

Acne occurs when hair follicles are blocked by dead skin cells mixed with sebum. Sebum is an oily substance produced by glands attached to hair follicles, called sebaceous glands. In people with acne, these glands produce excess sebum that mixes with dead skin cells and forms a blockage that blocks the follicles. This creates a favorable environment for Cutibacterium acnes, a type of bacteria commonly found under the skin, which grows and causes inflammation.

Hormonal activity can cause an outbreak of acne or an increase in the number of lesions. Puberty hormones strongly stimulate the growth and production of sebum by the sebaceous glands. Sebaceous glands are extremely sensitive to hormonal changes. The hormones that have the most important effects on the sebaceous glands are the male hormones called androgens. They are secreted by men and women, but their rate is higher in men. These hormones can also cause acne during the female menstrual cycle, which is why women often have acne in adulthood.

Eating junk food (or fast food) and chocolate are not causes of acne. Greasy hair and oily skin (with excess sebum) do not cause acne, but are often signs of overactive sebaceous glands, the real cause of acne. Research suggests that stress is likely to aggravate existing acne, but is still not responsible for pimples. A predisposition to acne can be hereditary. Family history can increase your chances of developing severe acne. However, the role played by heredity is less certain in moderate acne, as most teenagers are affected anyway, regardless of family history.

Anything that causes skin irritation can also trigger acne, including:

• skin rubbing against clothes
• contact with pets
• contact with certain sports equipment
• applying certain cosmetic products unsuitable for your skin type
• skin exposure to extreme temperatures

Also, drugs called corticosteroids can induce a skin disorder similar to acne.

2. Acne symptoms and possible complications

Acne symptoms vary from person to person and can manifest as:

• small black spots that appear on the surface of the skin and do not leave scars
• white spots or pustules which are the most common type of acne and form the first lesions (they do not turn into black spots because they are not exposed to air)
• deep pustules and cysts that are inflamed (these are usually red and swollen and contain pus)
• deep acne which may be more severe (lesions are usually red, inflamed, burning, tender, pus and painful to the touch)

Deep acne often appears on the back and chest. It is usually the most difficult form of acne when it comes to treatment and waiting time for complete healing, and the option that can leave you with scars. Deep acne has pustules and cysts that appear mostly on the surface of the skin or sometimes in the deeper layers of the skin. In case of rupture, the pus that is released will cause other lesions to form. Deep acne can lead to scarring. If you try to poke or grab the pimples, this often leaves a small crater that can become permanent. Men have scars more frequently because they are affected by deep acne in a higher proportion compared to women.

3. How do we diagnose acne?

The diagnosis of acne is based on the characteristics of the lesions. Your doctor may perform a physical exam and take your medical and personal history to rule out other possible explanations for these injuries. Among the questions a dermatologist may ask are those about beauty products and medications you use frequently.

4. How to get rid of acne: types of treatment and methods of prevention

How do you get rid of acne? Be aware that many acne treatments are available, and in some cases, more than one product may be needed in your acne treatment regimen so that the result is as quick and long-lasting as possible. Your acne treatment will depend on the severity, location and type of acne you have. In most cases, you will need to wait two to three months before you can determine if the prescribed treatments are effective, as acne lesions take about two months to mature. At the start of treatment, acne may worsen before showing signs of improvement.

Below are some of the most common examples of acne treatments:

Topical treatments

Here we mean over-the-counter acne products, including benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, and glycolic acid . When used individually, these treatments are effective in cases of moderate acne. They are exfoliating agents that remove blockages and help the skin get rid of dead cells. Benzoyl peroxide is also an antibacterial. Topical antibiotics can be used to treat acne bacteria that cause inflammatory acne.

Retinoids are often used to treat non-inflammatory acne, but they are also useful for treating inflammatory acne. They work by accelerating skin renewal and may cause skin irritation at the start of treatment (which usually goes away as the skin gets used to the substance). Topical products should be applied to the entire infected area, not just the pimples. There are many drug combinations available consisting of different combinations of the above products.

Oral treatments

For some women, using a birth control pill can help regulate the hormones that cause acne. In cases of severe inflammatory acne, an antibiotic tablet (eg tetracycline, minocycline, doxycycline) may be given, but these drugs can only be obtained with a prescription.

Isotretinoin, a powerful oral retinoid, is very effective in treating severe acne. However, because of its potential side effects, it is usually only used when many other treatments have failed, especially in women of reproductive age. Many of these treatments can make your skin more sensitive to the sun. For this reason, they should be used in conjunction with a suitable sunscreen suitable for your skin type. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about the risks and benefits of the different treatment options available for this condition.

Most of the skin cleansing products advertised in Internet ads and commercials are unnecessary. In reality, some can even make acne worse, but there are also good products on the market for acne  cleansing the skin which will help you in treating this problem if you use them regularly. Follow these basic principles to help you prevent and treat acne:

• wash your face no more than twice a day with unscented soap or choose a soap-free cleanser
• dry your skin with a clean towel - definitely by gently patting and never by rubbing
• do not crush, squeeze or squeeze the pimples
• avoid rubbing or washing the skin vigorously with harsh or granular (abrasive) soap
• use a clean towel every day
• use non-comedogenic beauty products that won't clog your pores or trigger acne
• remove sweat and sebum from the skin as often as possible
• leave blackhead extraction to your dermatologist

It is true that food is not one of the causes of acne, but some people find that their acne worsens after eating certain foods. If this is also the case for you, then we recommend that you remove the foods that are harmful to you from your daily diet, especially if you are dealing with severe acne. To treat cases of severe acne scarring, collagen injections and laser skin resurfacing might be used.

5. What foods cause acne?

There are some basic rules of nutrition when you suffer from acne. In short, if you know what not to eat when you have acne, then this condition may benefit from a much shorter healing time. Below are some of the most common myths about what not to eat when you have acne. We have clarified them for you, so that you can focus only on how you can get rid of acne, without accumulating frustrations because you may not be able to eat your favorite foods.

Dairy products can cause acne

The results and conclusions of various studies on this topic are divided, but there is evidence showing that an increased consumption of dairy products can lead to acne. Doctors do not know what the exact connection would be, but according to the working hypothesis, the "culprits" would be the hormones contained in the milk. Try cutting down on dairy (without going to extremes though) and see how your skin reacts. And keep in mind that whey protein shakes are just like ultra-concentrated milk, so it's recommended to avoid them as much as possible.

Chocolate does not cause acne

However, we are all different, so if you notice a rash after eating chocolate, try eliminating it from your daily diet. However, there is no concrete evidence of chocolate's effect on acne. In addition, dark chocolate contains antioxidants beneficial for the skin.

Candy and cookies can trigger pimples

Recent studies show that foods with a high glycemic index (those that cause spikes in blood sugar) can make acne worse. It's easier said than done, but to keep your skin healthy, it might be wise to base your diet on high-fiber foods like whole grains rather than sugars and white flour.

Drinking a lot of water does not get rid of acne

Staying hydrated is essential to staying healthy, and your skin is no exception. However, drinking too much water won't help you clear your pores and get rid of acne.

Fish oils are allies of the skin

Oily fish are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which help fight inflammation in various systems of our body, including our largest organ, the skin. Consider including them in your diet twice a week (recommended is tuna or salmon). If you are not a fan of fish, you can try eating nuts which are also a very good source of fatty acids.

Vitamin and mineral supplements do not help reduce acne in most cases

The main factors of acne are hormones, and they are not related to vitamin and mineral deficiencies. However, a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables helps provide essential nutrients to the skin in the healing process of pimples.

Fatty foods like pizza and french fries do not cause acne

The idea that the grease on your plate will end up in your pores is just a myth: there is no direct connection between the two. However, a diet high in saturated fatty acids can cause micro-inflammation in all organs, including the skin. In short, pizza and fries do not promote the development of acne, but it is recommended to consume them in moderation if you want to have a healthy body.

Alcohol is not responsible for rashes

There is no really convincing evidence of alcohol's effect on acne. However, we know that it intensifies the redness on the face: blood vessels dilate on the skin and cause dehydration, hence the recommendation for moderate consumption. We hope that this information has been useful to you and that you have learned how to get rid of acne fast, what foods you should include or exclude from your diet, and what could be possible treatments to cure this condition. Do not forget that first of all you should go to your dermatologist for a specialist consultation and for a treatment suitable for your skin type. If you need anti-acne products , you can find a variety on skinseen.ro.

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