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IN FOCUS: ARTICLE |
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Afflicted with Acne?
by Terry Miller Shannon, 05.03.02
"Acne is not forever!" |
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Feeling hopeless about your spotty face? Don't.
"Acne is not forever," says dermatologist David Leffell, M.D., author of Total Skin. "It is just one way your body shows how it's changing. While it's tough to deal with while you have it, remember that almost all teens get it at some time or another."
Almost four out of five teens have acne, which is cold comfort when your self-image is in the toilet thanks to "Mount-Vesuvius-erupting-on-my-nose" syndrome. Luckily, there are many effective acne treatments.
What Is Acne, Anyway?
Doctors call the type of acne most teens suffer "acne vulgaris." Revved-up hormone levels during teen years can cause an overload of secretions called sebum. Pores (tiny skin openings) become plugged with sebum and dead skin cells. Germs redden and swell the area. Voila! You're sporting pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, and cysts. These blemishes usually appear on the face, neck, back, chest, and shoulders. Acne is not physically harmful. But severe cases can make you feel badly about yourself and, furthermore, they can scar your skin.
Is It Because I ... ?
Quick, which of these cause acne?
- greasy foods
- chocolate
- dirt
- sexual activity, either alone or with a partner
Ready? None of the above. Really. There's zero connection between acne and diet, not washing, or sexual activity.
Helping Yourself
Dr. Leffell's Number One Acne Rule: Don't pick. Popping pimples will make them worse — and contributes to scarring.
If you have acne:
- Avoid makeup and hair gels containing oil — any type of oil clogs pores on the face.
- Wash your face gently once a day with a non-moisturizing cleanser.
- If you use moisturizers, apply them infrequently. All moisturizers, makeup, and sunscreens that you use should be labeled "oil-free" or "non-comedogenic" (meaning they won't cause pimples).
- Wash your hair often and keep it off your face.
You can treat a mild case with over-the-counter creams containing benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. Follow directions. Be patient.
WARNING: A tan won't cure acne. It will drastically increase your skin cancer risks. And some acne medications increase your sunburn (and skin cancer) odds.
Calling in the Big Guns
Say you've had no luck with the over-the-counter stuff. Or you want an expert to guide your acne treatment. Or you have severe acne. Put your face in the hands of a dermatologist, who will draft an action plan that might include:
- over-the-counter lotions
- prescription creams such as Retin-A, strong benzoyl peroxide preparations, antibiotic pills, and antibiotic lotions. There is also Accutane (a pill). The good news? It is extremely good at quelling severe acne. The bad news? Acutane can have some very serious side effects.
- the birth control pill
- injections to rapidly clear painful cysts
Going Natural?
How about tea tree oil, vitamin/herb supplements, and other "natural" treatments? Some of these "natural alternatives" are intriguing researchers. There might be some substances that occur in nature that could help mild acne, but Dr. Leffell says he doesn't know of any proof that these preparations and supplements actually do help acne. |
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