Pimple worries

A person is more likely to develop pimples (acne) than any other disease. It is such a common problem that many in the medical fraternity consider it a physiological condition, a part of the normal body functions.

But that is not the least bit reassuring to the affected individual. Whether we call it pimples of puberty or acne of adolescence, this is a cause of significant worry to a cosmetically conscious person. [break]For most, acne is mainly a disease of teenage or young adulthood in the age group between 14 and 25, while some may have it earlier or later.

This is one of the conditions where scientists have discovered a lot, yet know little. Even though there have been many newer developments in acne treatment, it remains a challenge for the treating doctor to totally free the patient of their problems.

There are many factors responsible for the formation of acne. As one enters puberty, that is the age group of the early teens, certain hormonal changes occur in the body that leads to the physical development of the individual: a girl growing to be a woman, or a boy growing to be a man. A group of hormones called androgens are responsible for this normal maturity process, which incidentally also produces the changes that result in acne formation.

Acne is a disease of glands in the skin, known as sebaceous glands, which are situated near our hair follicles and are responsible for the production of sebum, the oily secretions on our skin. In response to the normally produced androgens, the sebaceous glands increase in size and begin producing more sebum which explains why people with acne have excessive oily skin.

For unknown reasons, there is also blockade of the openings of this gland, which results in retention of the oily secretions, leading to further enlargement of the glands and the visible pimples on the skin. Once these changes have occurred, there is increase in the population of a bacterium that normally resides in our hair follicles, leading to the annoying redness, pain and pus formation. The reason why acne occurs mostly on the face is that this is an area with a large number of sebaceous glands, especially the central forehead, nose and cheeks – also known as the “T zone”. The chest and the back are other sites where acne may occur.

Other factors which may be responsible for acne are stress, use of oily cosmetics, and certain drugs, such as steroids, or drugs used to treating epilepsy. Although research has implicated dairy products as a cause of acne, there is no strong evidence to suggest that any type of food is responsible. There is also a common myth that acne is a result of impurities in the blood.

The severity of this disease varies, so also does its psychological impact on the effected individual, ranging from worry to loss of confidence, decreased self esteem, frustration, and even depression. Studies have shown that these effects translate into underachievement of one’s potential.

Acne is a disorder which, however, improves with time, but the sequelae can be lifelong, with disfiguring and sometimes permanent scar formation. All these make acne a disease that needs to be treated in timely and effective manner.

The options of treatment available today are wide and promising, though one should understand the limitations and demerits carefully before beginning treatment. The choice of treatment is individualized according to the severity of the disease as well as the patients’ willingness to undergo the treatment. One may be frustrated, especially when the results are not as expected.

However, it is essential that one is mentally prepared to carry on these treatments for several months. Even laser treatments require multiple sittings before any change is noticeable. The success rates of various treatment options may vary between individuals, but a satisfying response can be seen in most if the schedule is strictly followed.

Scarring of the skin is the major complication of acne, and managing it is a challenge. It is always better to effectively treat acne in its early stages and minimize the formation of scars. There are scars which may fade with time, scars that can be improved or made to look better with treatment, and scars that are permanent.

It is essential to understand that one cannot have a normal smooth skin once some degree of scarring has already occurred. However, there are many options available to improve the look of your scars, and even a slight degree of improvement can translate into a huge cosmetic and psychological benefit.

The stress factor of today’s fast-moving lifestyle has already been implicated in many of mankind’s health problems, and acne is included. It is an irony that acne causes worry and stress, which itself causes acne! In this light, it would surely help to reduce your stress to free yourself from the worries of not just your pimples but also other serious health problems.

Dos & don’ts in acne care

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