All About Acne

1
All About Acne
2
Introduction

• Acne is a skin condition that is common amongst
  teenagers, but younger children do get it as
  well. Acne develops when your follicles become
  bunged up with dead skin. It normally appears on
  your face, chest, neck, shoulders and back. The
  spots clear up and other ones come in their
  place.

3
The symptoms of acne vary depending on how
serious your case is

• Whiteheads
• Blackheads
• Small, red tender bumps
• Pimples (pustules)
• Large, solid, painful lumps
• Painful, pus-filled lumps

4
Here some quick tips related to personal hygiene
that may prevent acne

• No alcohol. Alcohol strips away the top layer of
  your skin causing your glands to produce more
  oil.
• Dont squeeze your spots. Squeezing the skin can
  force the bacteria deep into the skin, causing
  more acne.
• Dont touch your skin. Touching causes the
  natural acne bacteria to get trapped beneath your
  skin.
• Wash after exercise. Heat is a natural breeding
  ground for more acne.
• No harsh scrubs. You can exfoliate but hard
  cleaners may irritate the skin.

5
You may be able to treat your acne at home by
rinsing it with warm water and cleaning the soap
off thoroughly, but you should inform your Doctor
if your acne

• Is making your life miserable.
• Is causing dark patches to appear.
• Is producing scars.
• Is severe and producing nodules under the skin.
• doesnt respond to over-the-counter medication.
• doesnt respond to home treatment.
• Is cystic acne, where your pimples are hard and
  large and filled with pus.
• makes you avoid going out with your friends.
• makes you feel embarrassed or depressed.

6
You may want to give one of the following a try
before going to the Doctors

• Wash and toner. This helps unblock follicles by
  eliminating bacteria, oil and dirt. At the same
  time it helps to prevent pimples of all different
  kinds.
• Retinol Night Complex. This is designed for use
  at night, before bed. Retinol attaches to skin
  cells which helps reduce acne spots.
• Your Doctor, when the above doesnt seem to be
  working, will give you one of several treatments.
  They will give you a combination if the first
  treatment doesnt work and if that doesnt work
  they will go to a stronger treatment. Many of the
  treatments take up to 3 months to work so it is
  important to be patient and stick with it even if
  you dont see results right away

7
Here are the details of some prescribed
treatments you may be given for your acne

• Benzoyl peroxide
• Reduces bacteria.
• It has an anti-inflammatory effect
• Reduces whiteheads and blackheads.
• Used once or twice a day
• Comes in cream form or gel form.
• Used sparingly.

8

• Bleaching effect so stay away from direct
  sunlight
• Avoid getting it on your hair or clothes.
• Common side effects are dry skin, burning,
  itching or stinging feel and some redness or
  peeling.
• Side effects are usually mild and dont persist
  after the treatment ceases.
• Most people need a 6-week treatment of this.

9

• Topical Retinoids
• Eliminates dead skin cells from the skin, by
  exfoliation.
• Available in a gel or cream form
• Used before bed.
• Apply sparingly
• Avoid exposure to sunlight and UV.
• Risk they may cause birth defects so they arent
  suitable for use whilst pregnant.
• Common side effects include mild irritation and
  stinging of the skin.
• Usually given for 6 weeks but you may be required
  to use the treatment less frequently.

10

• Topical Antibiotics
• Kills the bacteria on the skin.
• Available as a lotion or gel.
• Apply once or twice per day.
• Common side effects include redness, burning and
  peeling, and minor irritation.
• A 6 to 8-week course is recommended.

11

• Azelaic Acid
• Eliminates dead skin cells and kills bacteria.
• Used as an alternative treatment for acne if the
  side effects of the above treatments are too
  much.
• Available in a cream form or gel.
• Applied once per day.
• Common side effects include dry skin, itchiness,
  redness, burning or stinging.
• You dont have to avoid exposure to sunlight or
  UV.

12

• Antibiotic Tablets
• Used in conjunction with a topical treatment for
  more severe acne
• Takes 6 weeks before you notice an improvement
  with your acne.
• A treatment of this kind can last 4 to 6 months.
• Some antibiotics can make your skin sensitive to
  sunlight and UV
• Can also make the contraceptive pill less
  effective.

13

•  
• Hormonal therapies
• Your GP may recommend the combined oral
  contraceptive pill.
• Can help improve acne in women.
• With this treatment it may take up to a year
  before results are seen.

14

• Isotretinoin
• Normalises sebum, prevents follicles becoming
  clogged, eliminates bacteria on skin and reduces
  swelling and redness of spots.
• Used for severe cases of acne that havent worked
  with other treatments.
• Tablet form
• People take it for up to 6 months.
• Common side effects can be severe and include
  cracking of the skin, changes in blood sugar
  levels, eyelid and eye inflammation and
  irritation and blood in urine.
• There are also some more severe side effects that
  can be researched.

15

• As you can see, having acne means you have a lot
  of options for treatment. However, try laser acne
  treatment for all most guaranteed results.

16
The End

• For more details, Please visit-
• https//canadamedlaser.ca/acne-treatment/
• https//www.self.com/story/understanding-acne
• https//www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/acn
  e/symptoms-causes/syc-20368047
• https//www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments
  /acne/understanding-acne-symptoms
• https//www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/aa37670
• https//www.nhs.uk/conditions/acne/treatment/
• https//www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/acn
  e/in-depth/acne-products/art-20045814