Acne

Acne is a common skin condition that affects most people at some point. It causes spots to develop on the skin, usually on the face, back and chest.

The spots can range from surface blackheads and whiteheads – which are often mild – to deep, inflamed, pus-filled pustules and cysts, which can be severe and long-lasting and lead to scarring.

What can I do if I have acne?

Keeping your skin clean is important, but will not prevent new spots developing. Wash the affected area twice a day with a mild soap or cleanser, but do not scrub the skin too hard to avoid irritating it. 

If your skin is dry, use a moisturiser (emollient). Most of these are now tested so they don't cause spots (non-comedogenic).

Although acne can't be cured, it can be controlled with treatment. Several creams, lotions and gels for treating spots are available at pharmacies.

If you develop acne, it's a good idea to speak to your pharmacist for advice. Products containing a low concentration of benzoyl peroxide may be recommended, but be careful as this can bleach clothing.

If your acne is severe or appears on your chest and back, it may need to be treated with antibiotics or stronger creams that are only available on prescription.

When to see your GP

See your GP if you cannot control your acne with over-the-counter medication or if it is causing you distress and making you feel unhappy.

Also see your GP if you develop nodules or cysts, as they will need to be treated properly to avoid scarring.  

Treatments can take up to three months to work, so don't expect results overnight. Once they do start to work, the results are usually good.

Try to resist the temptation to pick or squeeze the spots as this can lead to permanent scarring.

Why do I have acne?

Acne is most commonly linked to the changes in hormone levels during puberty, but can start at any age.

It affects the grease-producing glands next to the hair follicles in the skin. Certain hormones cause these glands to produce larger amounts of oil (abnormal sebum).

This abnormal sebum changes the activity of a usually harmless skin bacterium called P. acnes, which becomes more aggressive and causes inflammation and pus.

The hormones also thicken the inner lining of the hair follicle, causing blockage of the pores (opening of the hair follicles). Cleaning the skin does not help remove this blockage.

Acne is known to run in families. If both your mother and father had acne, it is likely that you will also have acne.

Hormonal changes, such as those that occur during the menstrual cycle or pregnancy, can also lead to episodes of acne in women.

There is no evidence that diet, poor hygiene or sexual activity play a role in acne.

Who is affected?

Acne is very common in teenagers and younger adults. About 80% of people between the ages of 11 and 30 will be affected by acne.

Acne is most common between the ages of 14 and 17 in girls, and boys between 16 and 19.

Most people have acne on and off for several years before their symptoms start to improve as they get older. Acne often disappears when a person is in their mid-twenties.

In some cases, acne can continue into adult life. About 5% of women and 1% of men have acne over the age of 25.

Source:nhs.uk/Conditions/Acne/Pages/Introduction.aspx

5 Reasons You're Getting Back Acne — And How to Make It Go Away

Having acne on your face is hardly fun, but what about back acne a.k.a. bacne? At least a good makeup tutorial can help make your skin look more flawless, but you can kiss tank tops and strapless dresses goodbye if you're sporting bumps on your shoulders and below. Luckily, with a few simple modifications to your daily routine, you can make those body pimples a thing of the past.

Cause #1: The products you're using are clogging your pores.

That's right: Your conditioner, your sunscreen, your body cream, your massage oils — 

they all can clog pores, causing you to get zits on your back.

The Cure:

When washing and conditioning, flip your hair to the front and rinse forward to avoid leaving 

shampoo and conditioner residue on your back. And instead of regular sunscreen, choose

 ones that are labeled "ultra-light" or "quick-dry" like La Roche Posay Ultra Light Sunscreen 

Fluid. It's also better to use lotions in the summer rather than creams because

 they have less oil content and rely more on water to hydrate the skin, so they're less clogging.

Going to the spa soon? Massage oils are fine, just finish your massage off with some steam

 in a shower or sauna to open up your pores to melt away the oils.

Cause #2: Your clothes are irritating.

Unfortunately, while working out is great for your body, it can also lead to acne if you're not careful. 

The friction from a tight-fitting sports bra can irritate hair follicles and cause red bumps.

The Cure: 

"After workouts you must shower," says Tami Cassis M.D., assistant clinical professor of 

dermatology at The University of Louisville. "Running around afterward in sports bras or gym

 shirts is a big no-no," she adds. It may be a pain to switch clothes, but taking a few extra

 minutes to air out your body can prevent big skin hassles later.

Cause #3: You're predisposed to acne.

If pimply skin runs in your family, don't be surprised if you get it, too.

The Cure: 

Don't worry, there are ways to get around your genes. Try using an over-the-counter salicylic

 acid or glycolic acid wash to prevent and cure blemishes — Mario Badescu Glycolic Foaming

 Wash is a good pick. Washes have a tendency to be less irritating than leave-on

 medications, and because they are usually incorporated into your shower routine, they are

 more readily available, and therefore more regularly used. If these don't cut it, a

 prescription-strength topical medication or oral antibiotic may be recommended by your

 derm.

Reason #4: You're not eating the right foods for good skin.

Remember: What's good for your heart is also good for your skin, so it may be time to put

 down that milkshake and burger if you want a better complexion.

The Cure: 

This one's easy: Eat a well-balanced diet. Interestingly, some studies do show a connection 

between diets that are high in dairy and acne. Any extreme is not healthy, so many 

dermatologists just recommend cutting down on excess dairy — multiple glasses of milk or

 servings of cheese a day — rather than eliminating it all together.

Reason #5: You're not washing your back.

This may seem like a no brainer, but forgetting to wash or exfoliate your back is more common than 

you think. It's not easy to reach or see, and it's not particularly stinky, so who wants to waste their time

 playing twister in the shower? The reality is that your back needs love, too.

The Cure: 

Since it's one of the most acne-prone areas, you need to treat it as if it were your facial skin

. This helps to keep the follicles clean and unclogged, making them less prone to pimples. 

Try a gentle exfoliating cleanser such as Dove Exfoliating Body Wash which helps to cleanse,

 hydrate, exfoliate, and even calm inflamed skin. If done on a daily basis this

 should help keep bacne at bay.

Source:goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/anti-aging/a32876/back-acne-treatment/