Acne - Causes and Remedies • 03.12.09
Around 85% of teenagers suffer from acne, from mild to very severe, and around 20% of sufferers will also experience some scarring. Although acne is most prevalent in this age group it can also last into the twenties and in rarer cases even into the thirties and beyond. It has been estimated that around 20% of people over the age of 24 suffer from this condition. Altogether over 60 million people in the US have this distressing and embarrassing condition although only about 1/10th of this number consult a doctor or dermatologist for treatment. There are many so called ‘acne treatments’ promising a cure in ‘3 days’ or ‘30 days’ or any number in between! We prefer to use home remedies for acne rather than expensive OTC acne remedies that may be harsh on the skin. We’ve put together some common sense tips for treating and curing your acne so read on!
How do you sort through all this information and hype to find a way to treat your acne that will really work? The first thing to do is to understand the causes and the simple things you can do at home to improve the condition of your skin and to start to treat the acne lesions.
The Cause of Acne
The main cause is the changing hormones that all teenagers go through. The surges of hormones result in the increase in sebum by the skin cells which results in dust and dirt being attracted to the oil and allowing the bacteria that causes the acne legions, Propionibacterium acnes, to thrive. Some things that can make the condition worse are overwashing the skin, using heavy cosmetics, some prescription medicines. there may also be an inherited tendency to suffer from acne.
Acne Treatments
Many over the counter acne remedies contain benzoyl peroxide which is effective but can be very drying to the skin and can also cause reddening, itching or burning. Milder homemade acne remedies that you can try include tea tree oil and green tea. These can easily be prepared at home or you can buy creams and lotions incorporating these ingredients. They are much milder and kinder to the skin than the harsh ingredients in most OTC preparations although they may take a little longer to show results.
Home Remedies for Acne
in addition to tea tree oil and green tea described above there is a lot you can do to improve the condition of your skin and help to heal the lesions associated with acne. A healthy diet that includes plenty of fruit and vegetables, oily fish and wholewheat grains, pulses and beans is essential. Drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day is also very important. Keep your skin clean by using a mild soap that will not cause irritation. Twice a day is enough and do not use a harsh washcloth or scrub vigorously as this will only make the irritation worse. Boil washclothes daily to prevent reinfection of the skin, or preferably use disposable cotton swabs instead. See more information on acne home remedies.
