What is acne?

What is acne?

Acne is the most common skin problem in the world, as it affects about 85% of people. It often occurs at puberty, like acne vulgaris, but it can actually continue until after puberty, as acne causes red bumps or pustules to appear on the face, but also the neck and chest. The back, shoulders, and upper arms can also be affected.

Acne is a common skin condition that occurs when hair follicles become engorged under the skin.

In this article, we will review 5 ways to get rid of acne to help you improve your skin condition and regain your self-confidence. These methods include commercial treatments and natural recipes that you can try at home, but first we need to know what causes acne in the first place..

What causes acne?

Although acne is a complex skin problem, some ideas have proven valid in responding to acne:

Excessive production of sebum by the sebaceous glands in the skin is the main reason that clogs and obstructs pores, leading to occasional pimples and blackheads. If B. Inflammation occurs, which attracts white blood cells to kill the bacteria causing the inflammation, leading to the formation of whiteheads and papules. In severe cases, pimples, small nodules, and cystic acne that contain pus are formed. Fungal acne can also develop if yeasts are present. Excess hair follicles.

Dead skin cells that must be removed from the surface during frequent cleansing can be the culprit because they get stuck in the pores and cause different types of acne..

What are the basic causes of acne?

Other factors that can cause pimples are:

Hormonal fluctuations, especially in women due to menstruation, pregnancy and menopause, are more common causes, and excessive secretion of testosterone is also a possible cause of pimples.

Digestive system problems, such as food allergies, can cause pimples in some people. Dairy products and gluten are often to blame, but this requires medical tests to confirm the condition.

Infection in any of the organs, such as the stomach, for example, can lead to the formation of pimples on the face, which must be treated effectively by a specialist.

Stress is taken into consideration when it comes to spots because it is an inflammatory process that raises blood sugar and pressure, which leads to sebum production, and therefore requires lifestyle changes or medication in severe cases.

Genetic factors play a role, as it has been noted that skin predisposition to acne can be a family trait.

Cosmetic and skin care products are major factors that help in clogging hair follicles with excess oil, causing acne to break out. For this reason, you should use oil-free beauty products that do not clog pores and do not cause irritation.

How to get rid of acne: 5 acne treatments you can try

There are many products that do not require a prescription that you can find in the pharmacy and whose effectiveness has been scientifically proven, and there are also some natural recipes that you can find at home. Here are some home remedies and materials that can help get rid of or improve acne.

1. 1. Green tea

It is another herbal product widely available in homes. It is a powerful antioxidant that contains flavonoids and tannins to reduce inflammation. It also contains epigallocatechin-3-gallate, which is effective in reducing sebum secretion and inhibits the growth of B. acnes bacteria.

It is often found in the form of an extract at a concentration of 3-2% in commercial products, but you can make it yourself by brewing green tea at home. You can prepare green tea as if it was intended for drinking, let it cool, then apply it to the pimples using a cotton roll and leave it for fifteen minutes. Then you should wash it well with water and dry it with light pats with a towel. This should be done once or twice a day, while applying moisturizer when needed.

2. 2. Aloe Vera (Aloe Vera)

The gel found in aloe vera leaves is believed to be a powerful moisturizing agent and has an anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory effect in addition to its healing properties.

The antibacterial property is due to the presence of substances such as sulfur, salicylic acid, phenols, lupeol, urea nitrogen and cinnamic acid.

You can buy aloe vera gel that comes in the form of tubes. You can also make it by scraping the gel from an aloe vera leaf with a spoon and keeping it in the refrigerator, then placing the mask once or twice a day on the pimples, leaving it for fifteen minutes, then washing it with lukewarm water.

3. 3. Daily cleansing

Since the main cause of acne formation is excessive oil and dead skin cells, cleansing and exfoliating will prevent and eliminate acne.

Usually, cleansing twice a day with an acne cleanser or oily skin soap is the best practice that you can use to protect your skin. The safest scrub that you can use is a homemade scrub using sugar with oil, which may be coconut oil or olive oil, by massaging your skin. Gently use this mixture and wash it well, thus your skin will feel soft and smooth.

Washing your skin after exercising is crucial because unwashed sweat can attract bacteria and lead to inflammation, and scalp oil can also lead to pimples, so daily washing for oily hair is essential.

Avoid foods that cause acne

As we mentioned previously, diet has a direct impact on skin quality, and some foods and manufactured substances may cause acne, so abstaining from eating these foods for a month and returning to eating them after that will confirm their role in the spread of pimples.

It is believed that insulin and the glycemic index are factors related to how quickly carbohydrates turn into simple sugar in the blood. The higher the glycemic index, the more severe the insulin level rises, which may lead to increased fat secretion, often processed grains such as white bread and pasta. It is responsible for this problem, so eating whole grains is encouraged as a healthier option, as a low-glycemic diet also leads to lower levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), which is a hormone involved in the occurrence of acne.

Dairy products also contain hormones and growth factors that may lead to acne. In addition, the majority of adults do not have the correct digestive enzymes to process milk and its products, so digestive problems may arise and affect the properties of the skin in the form of pimples.

2. 2. Exercise

Doing exercises that increase your breathing rate is a proven way to burn energy, stimulate blood circulation in the body, and begin the healing process, which often leads to improved skin quality. Doing these exercises also regulates hormone levels, which can be beneficial in cases of hormonal imbalance.

Relaxation exercises, such as yoga, may help regulate breathing and sleep patterns, as these exercises give you more rest while your body has the opportunity to cleanse and heal from pimples.

Conclusion

Whatever you choose to treat acne without a prescription, whether it is an organic or commercial product, you must pay attention to giving it enough time (for example, a month) to see the actual effect. Otherwise, this may lead to the spread of pimples or irritation of the skin.

If no results are obtained, you must consult a dermatologist to find out the root cause of the pimples. You may have a need to try prescription medications, which may include oral and topical medications depending on your age and the type and severity of the pimples, as antibiotics, contraceptives, anti-androgen agents, and retinoids ( Retinoic acids, tretinoin), isotretinoin (Accutane) (a group of synthetic derivatives of vitamin A), and cortisone injections are popular options.

You must be patient and adhere to the treatment because acne may take several months to heal completely, but to get a quick treatment, there are other non-surgical treatments for acne, such as chemical peeling and regenerative laser, which you can undergo after consulting a dermatologist.