What to do with acne

What is acne and how does acne develop?

Your skin has tiny holes called pores that can be blocked by oil, bacteria, dead skin cells and dirt. When this happens, you may develop a pimple. If your skin is repeatedly affected by this condition and you develop more red pimples or red bumps, you may have acne.

There are different forms of acne:

Acne vulgaris, also known as pimples because this is a common form of acne in adolescents and young adults.
Acne fulminans is one of the forms of acne in which you see an acute worsening of existing acne.
Acne neonatorum is a form of acne that is mainly seen in young children or newborns.
Acne inversa, in which lesions develop as subcutaneous inflammation in the skin of skin folds.
Acne conglobata, often caused by the male hormone, is the form of acne that persists after the acne has disappeared in adolescents and young adults.

Acne is one of the most common skin conditions in the Netherlands. Although acne is not a life-threatening condition, it can be painful, especially if it is severe. It can also cause emotional distress. Many young people only develop symptoms later in life, when they are going through puberty.Acne on the face can affect self-confidence and self-esteem and can cause permanent physical scarring over time.There are many effective treatments for acne that both prevent acne and reduce the risk of scarring. We will discuss this further in this blog.

What are the symptoms of acne?

Acne can be found almost everywhere on your body. The red pimples and red bumps usually develop on the face, around the mouth on the back and chest or on the shoulders. In places where bacteria growth can run wild and where excessive sebum production plays a major role in the development of acne.If you have acne, you usually see pimples with a white or black head. Another word for blackheads comedones is used to name these pimples, pustules and papules.Blackheads form on the surface of the skin, giving them a black appearance due to oxygen in the air. Whiteheads are subcutaneous inflammations, which gives them a white appearance.Although blackheads are the most common lesions seen in acne, other types of acne can also occur. Inflammatory lesions are more likely to cause acne scarring. These include:

Papules are small, red, raised bumps caused by inflamed or infected hair follicles.
Pustules are small red pimples with pus at their ends.
Nodules are firm, often painful lumps under the skin surface.
Cysts are large lumps under your skin that contain pus and are usually painful.

What causes acne?

Acne occurs when the pores of the skin become clogged by oil, dead skin cells or bacteria. The bacterium Propionibacterium acnes in particular causes the symptoms of acne. Each pore of your skin is the opening to a follicle. The follicle consists of a hair and a sebaceous gland (oil). The oil gland releases sebum (oil), which flows through the hair, out of the pore and onto your skin. The sebum keeps your skin smooth and soft. One or more problems with this lubrication process can cause acne. It can occur when:

too much oil is produced by your follicles (excessive sebum production)
dead skin cells build up in your pores
too much growth of bacteria that builds up in your pores

These problems contribute to the development of pimples. A pimple appears when bacteria (propionibacterium acnes) grow in a clogged pore and the oil cannot escape.

What are the risk factors for developing acne?

Myths about what contributes to acne are quite common. There are many facts and myths about acne. Many people believe that there is a relationship between acne and diet. foods with a high glycemic index such as chocolate or chips are said to contribute to acne. Although there is no scientific support for these claims, there are certain risk factors for developing acne. These include:

The influence of hormones and hormonal changes caused by puberty or pregnancy. The male hormone testosterone in particular plays a role in the development of acne.
Certain medical devices, such as certain contraceptive pills or corticosteroids
A diet rich in foods with a high glycemic index, sugars or carbohydrates, such as bread and chips
Having parents who had acne

The people with a skin condition such as acne who are most at risk of developing it are adolescents and young adults. During this time the body is subject to changes under the influence of hormones. These changes can cause excess sebum production, leading to an increased risk of acne. Hormonal acne related to puberty usually decreases or at least improves as you reach adulthood.

How is acne diagnosed?

If you have symptoms of acne, your doctor can diagnose it by examining your skin. Your doctor will identify the types of lesions and their severity to make the best choice among the different acne treatments. The doctor can then also determine how many treatments are needed to prevent the symptoms of acne from worsening.

How is acne treated?

There are a few self-care activities you can try at home to prevent breakouts and clear up your acne. Home remedies for acne include:

Prevent poor hygiene by cleansing the skin daily with a mild soap to remove excess oil and dirt
Wash your hair regularly and keep it out of your face
Use makeup that is water-based or labeled 'non-comedogenic' (does not clog pores)
Do not squeeze or pick pimples, which spread bacteria (propionibacterium acnes) and excess oil due to excessive sebum production
Do not wear hats or tight headbands
Don't touch your face

Natural skin oils

Castor oil, also called castor oil, has a cleansing effect and clears the skin of pores. Due to the low molecular mass in the oil, it penetrates deep into the skin and has a bactericidal effect. For this reason, castor oil is a good remedy against (mild) acne and gives dry skin and sensitive skin a fresh tint.To treat mild acne complaints, dab a little pure castor oil on the skin with a clean cotton pad before going to bed. The oil will reduce the redness and swelling of the acne spots over time. To prevent future blemishes, first wash your face with warm water. The pores will open. Massage a small amount of oil (just a few drops) into the skin. It is best to let the natural oil soak in overnight. Wash the face in the morning and rinse off the oil.Rosehi oil can help prevent acne. The vitamin A in rosehip oil helps prevent excessive sebum production in the skin. When the skin produces less sebum, blackheads and other skin impurities such as acne are prevented. In addition to preventing acne, the oil also works particularly well in treating acne scars. Dark (old) acne scars in particular fade when using rosehip oil.

Medication

If the above doesn't help your acne, there are a few over-the-counter acne medications available. Most of these medications contain ingredients that can help kill bacteria (propionibacterium acnes) or reduce excess sebum production on your skin. Some of these medications have an anti-inflammatory effect. These include:

Benzoyl peroxide is present in many acne creams and gels. It is used to dry out existing red pimples and red bumps and prevent new ones. Benzoyl peroxide also kills bacteria that cause acne (propionibacterium acnes)
Sulfur is a natural ingredient with a distinctive odor found in some lotions, cleansers and masks.
Resorcinol is a less common ingredient used to remove dead skin cells.
Salicylic acid is often used in soaps and for acne. It helps prevent pores from becoming clogged and prevents excessive sebum production.

Sometimes people with a skin condition continue to experience symptoms despite various acne treatments. If this happens, it is best to seek medical advice for acne treatments specific to your skin. Your doctor can prescribe medications that can help reduce your symptoms and prevent acne scarring. These include:

Topical or oral antibiotics have an anti-inflammatory effect and kill the bacteria that cause pimples. Typically, antibiotics are only used for a short time, so that your body does not build up resistance and you are susceptible to infections.
Prescription creams such as retinoic acid or benzoyl peroxide are often stronger than over-the-counter treatments. They work to reduce excessive sebum production. Benzoyl peroxide serves as a bactericidal agent that prevents the resistance of acne-causing bacteria to antibiotics. It also has moderate comedone destroying and anti-inflammatory properties.
Women with hormonal acne can be treated with birth control pills or spironolactone. These medications regulate hormones that can cause acne by decreasing oil production.
Isotretinoin (Accutane) is a vitamin A-based medication used to treat certain cases of severe nodular acne. It can cause serious side effects and is only used when other treatments don't work.

Your doctor may recommend procedures to treat severe acne and prevent scarring. These procedures work by removing damaged skin and reducing oil production. They contain:

Photodynamic therapy uses medication and a special light or laser to reduce oil production and bacteria. Other lasers can be used alone to help improve acne or scars.
Dermabrasion removes the top layers of your skin with a rotating brush and is best for treating acne scars as opposed to acne treatment. Microdermabrasion is a milder treatment that helps remove dead skin cells.
A chemical peel removes the top layers of your skin. That skin peels away to reveal less damaged skin underneath. Chemical peels can improve mild acne scars.

Your doctor may recommend cortisone injections if your acne consists of large cysts. Cortisone is a steroid that is naturally produced by your body. It can reduce inflammation and speed healing. Cortisone is usually used along with other acne treatments.

What is the outlook for someone with acne?

Treatment for acne is often successful. Most people can expect their acne to clear up within six to eight weeks. However, flare-ups are common and may require additional or long-term treatment. Isotretinoin is the treatment that will provide the most permanent or long-lasting positive results.Acne scars can cause emotional stress and worsen mental health. But prompt treatment can help prevent scarring. A dermatologist or medical specialist also has treatment options designed to treat scars.

How can acne be prevented?

Acne is difficult to prevent. But you can take steps at home to help prevent acne after treatment. For example, think of: