History Of Acne - An Enlightened Journey

Acne is one of the most common skin condition that human beings face today. History of acne tells that it existed even before 18th century. Nowadays, you know it by different names, such as acne vulgaris, pimples, zits or cystic acne. Our ancestors treated this skin disorder with various remedies like mineral water bath, use of sulfur, benzoyl peroxide, or antibiotics. With time, acne treatment has taken various other forms. Nowadays, the most common acne treatment available is laser therapy or blue/red light therapy. Accept this fact that you cannot stop it from occurring but definitely, you can keep it under control.

How Acne Develops?

Let us understand first, how acne occurs. Our skin surface has millions of tiny holes known as pores. Every pore is an outlet to a follicle that contains an oil gland and a hair. The oil helps to keep hair and skin properly lubricated. Sometimes, your body starts producing excess oil. Dead skin cells along with body oil along with surplus body oil block skin pores. This blockage is called acne.

Acne can take various forms, such as blackheads, whiteheads, cyst, or pimples. If the oil and dead cell takes the shape of a lump, it results in a whitehead. In case the pore remains open to the skin surface, it takes the form of a blackhead. The redness of a blocked follicle causes pimples. Cyst takes shape of a bump under the skin.

Root Causes Of Acne

Mainly, people in the age group of 12 to 25 suffer from this skin disorder. At the same time, history of acne patients tells that it is not unusual for this problem to appear at any age. Even, infants and older people can face acne problem. There are certain conditions, which cause this skin problem to develop or aggravate. These are:

• Hereditary reasons
• Use of oil based cosmetics
• Usage of medicines specially containing steroid hormone
• Hormonal changes during pregnancy, menstrual periods
• Stress, sweating and high humidity
• Abrasion or excessive touching of the skin

History of acne tells us that acne is not a life threatening disaease. Therefore, nothing to be worried of, as it seldom leads to a serious medical condition. However, severe acne can be emotionally distressing for the person because it appears on the prominent parts of the body like face, arms, neck, back, or shoulders.

Do not feel helpless when you have acne. Take good care of your skin and minimize the effects of this problem. If you suffer from mild acne, you can take some good over-the-counter lotions for acne or some Ayurvedic or Homeopathic treatment. In case of moderate to severe acne problem, take advice from a dermatologist. He or she might suggest to you a good quality acne lotion or some antibiotic. Depending on the seriousness of the problem, your doctor can guide you to go for a laser or blue/red light therapy as well. Do not have doubts, just follow the doctor's advice.