Nearly 17 million people in the United States suffer from acne. Millions of teenagers and young adults are plagued with this skin disease.
A severe case of acne can turn a pretty face into a war zone.
Acne develops in the oil producing follicles of the skin located on the face, chest, shoulders, and upper back.
Acne occurs when dead skin cells, bacteria, and oil block the normal route of sebum, an oily mixture excreted from the sebaceous gland, to the skin’s surface. This eventually leads to swelling and the development of blackheads, whiteheads, tender red lumps, and pimples.
According to Innerself.com, acne is the number one skin decease among Americans today.
Acne can be upsetting and disfiguring to the face, causing a person to have low self-esteem. For some people, acne has lead to serious and permanent scarring.
For those who wear make-up, it is important to wash your face with soap and water every night because make-up can also clog the pores. When purchasing cosmetics, choose products that are non-acne causing. Controlling acne is a constant process.
Many non-prescription acne lotions and creams can help treat milder cases of acne. When choosing a product, make sure the product fits your skin type and does not over dry the skin. Over drying can cause more damage to the skin.
A tip on controlling acne is to keep the hands away from the face because they are filled with germs. Also, keep hair away from the face by combing or brushing it periodically.
According to the book Treating Acne, author Richard A. Walzer states that a severe case of acne should be treated with products that contain the active ingredient benzoyl peroxide, which helps to dry the skin and open the pores. Visiting a dermatologist will also be helpful, said Walzer.