Precautions:

Eating fast food doesnt cause acne, but recent studies indicate that certain foods can make an outbreak worse for some people. These foods include milk and other dairy products and high-glycemic foods that affect blood sugar and insulin levels, such as bread, mashed potatoes, and watermelon. Hormones are a primary cause of acne, especially teen acne, but wearing makeup and not washing your face often enough can contribute to acne as well. During puberty, the body begins to produce more hormones that cause the skins oil glands to enlarge and make more oil. Blockage of hair follicles that release oil can lead to growth of bacteria in the follicles. Stress doesnt cause acne, but it can make it worse. Other acne offenders include cosmetics, oily skin moisturizers, hormonal changes caused by puberty or monthly periods, and environmental irritants (like pollution or humidity). Oil from your scalp can make its way to your face and clog pores there. Greasy hair products and pomades can clog pores and lead to acne. Shampooing oily hair daily can help prevent breakouts by washing away oils and hair products. Oils produced in healthy skin travel up hair follicles and out of pores (the tiny holes on the surface of the skin). But sometimes the follicles get clogged with excess oils and dead skin cells, which can encourage the growth of bacteria. Bacteria can cause the follicles to get inflamed, forming pimples; inflammation causes the swelling, redness, and soreness that can be seen in acne. Because boys have more skin oils than girls, their follicles may be more likely to be clogged. Acne tends to run in families. Studies have found that a family history of acne increases a persons risk of the condition. Using a cleanser : apply the cleanser and wash with your fingertips. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, using a washcloth, mesh sponge, or anything else can irritate the skin and lead to breakouts. You shouldnt play with your acne blemishes. Squeezing or picking at a pimple can irritate the blemish, making it even more inflamed. Squeezing also can lead to infection and permanent scarring.

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Acne
Introduction:
Acne vulgaris is a common skin disease. Acne vulgaris typically affects the areas of skin with the densest population of sebaceous follicles; these areas include the face, the upper part of the chest, and the back. Sex During adolescence, acne vulgaris is more common in males than in females. In adulthood, acne vulgaris is more common in women than in men. Age Acne vulgaris may be present in the first few weeks and months of life, when a newborn is still under the influence of maternal hormones and when the androgen-producing portion of the adrenal gland is disproportionately large. This neonatal acne tends to resolve spontaneously

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Acne can be divided into two categories: Inflamed and Non-inflamed Non-inflamed acne:
Breakouts consist of microcomedones, blackheads, and milia. These types of comedones are not red or painful. Symptoms of non-inflamed acne include bumps or bumpiness across the skins surface, or an uneven skin texture. Even if comedones are not readily visible, they will make the skin feel rough or sandpapery. People with non-inflamed acne experience blackheads, milia, and closed comedones but rarely have reddened breakouts, such as papules or pustules. Left untreated, non-inflamed acne may progress to inflamed acne. Inflamed acne is characterized by redness and inflammation. Those with inflamed acne will have microcomedones, blackheads, and milia, as well as papules, pustules, and possibly nodules and cysts. Symptoms also include redness, swelling, and irritation of the skin, along with possible crusting, oozing, or scabbing of the lesions. Inflamed acne ranges in acuity from very mild to extremely severe. Some inflamed acne sufferers will experience only the occasional pustule while others will battle angry-looking cysts. Cystic acne is the most serious form of inflamed acne. Inflamed acne sufferers are most at risk for skin damage and scarring.

In teens, you may see the acne progress from the nose and forehead to other areas of the face. Acne may start to affect the chest and shoulders, with occasional breakouts on the back, especially in males. Adult women may find greater breakout activity in the cheeks, chin, and jaw line area, especially just before and during the menstrual cycle. Grade II acne can still be treated at home, using over-thecounter products. In addition to a salicylic acid, a benzoyl peroxide lotion should be used daily to help kill the bacteria that cause inflamed breakouts. However, if after several weeks of home treatment your acne does not significantly improve, it is time to see a dermatologist. Grade II acne may progress to Grade III, especially if pimples are habitually picked at or squeezed. Grade III This type of acne is considered severe. The main difference between Grade II acne and Grade III is the amount of inflammation present. The skin is now obviously reddened and inflamed. Papules and pustules have developed in greater numbers, and nodules will be present. Grade III usually involves other body areas, such as the neck, chest, shoulders, and/or upper back, as well as the face. The chance of scarring becomes higher as the infection spreads and becomes deeper. A dermatologist should treat acne at this stage. Grade III acne is usually treated with both topical and systemic therapies available only by prescription. Left untreated, Grade III acne may progress to Grade IV. Grade IV The most serious form of acne, Grade IV is often referred to as nodulocystic or cystic acne. The skin will display numerous papules, pustules, and nodules, in addition to cysts. There is a pronounced amount of inflammation and breakouts are severe. Cystic acne is very painful. Acne of this severity usually extends beyond the face, and may affect the entire back, chest, shoulders, and upper arms. The infection is deep and widespread. Nearly all cystic acne sufferers develop scarring. Grade IV acne must be treated by a dermatologist. It tends to be hard to control, and almost always requires powerful systemic medications in addition to topical treatments.

Inflamed acne:

Topical antibiotics are mainly used for their role against Propionibacterium acnes. They may also have anti-inflammatory properties. Topical antibiotics are not comedolytic, and bacterial resistance may develop to any of these agents. The development of resistance is lessened if topical antibiotics are used in combination with benzoyl peroxide.Commonly prescribed topical antibiotics for acne vulgaris include clindamycin (or less commonly erythromycin) alone or in combination with benzoyl peroxide. Clindamycin is available in a variety of topical agents. They may be applied once or twice a day. Gels and solutions may be more irritating than creams or lotions. Benzoyl peroxide products are also effective against P acnes, and bacterial resistance to benzoyl peroxide has not been reported. Benzoyl peroxide products are available over the counter and by prescription in a variety of topical forms, including soaps, washes, lotions, creams, and gels.

Knowing the grade of your acne is an important step in treating acne. All acne grades require different treatment methods.

Grade I

Grade I acne is the mildest form of acne. There may be minor pimples but they will small, appear only very occasionally, and in small numbers (one or two). Blackheads and milia will be found, sometimes in great numbers, but there is no inflammation of Grade I acne. Grade I acne is commonly seen in early adolescence, especially in the nose and/or forehead. Many adults also experience grade I acne, as blackheads on the nose and forehead. Milia are commonly found in the eye area and chin. This type of acne can be successfully treated at home using an over-the-counter product containing salicylic acid. Results generally are seen quickly. Treating acne while it is still in its early stages helps prevent acne from progressing, especially in teens. Grade I acne may progress to Grade II if left untreated. Grade II Grade II is considered moderate acne. There will be blackheads and milia, generally in greater numbers. You will start seeing more papules and the formation of pustules in this stage. They will appear with greater frequency, and general breakout activity will be more obvious.

opIcal reaTmenT... Topical retinoids are comedolytic and anti-inflammatory. They normalize follicular hyperproliferation and hyperkeratinization. Topical retinoids reduce the numbers of microcomedones, comedones, and inflammatory lesions. They may be used alone or in combination with other acne medications. The most commonly prescribed topical retinoids for acne vulgaris include adapalene, tazarotene, and tretinoin.

ySTemIc TreaTmenT... Systemic antibiotics are a mainstay in the treatment of acne vulgaris. These agents have anti-inflammatory properties, and they are effective against P acnes. The tetracycline group of antibiotics is commonly prescribed for acne. The more lipophilic antibiotics, such as doxycycline and minocycline, are generally more effective than tetracycline. Greater efficacy may also be due to less P acnes resistance to minocycline. However, P acnes resistance is becoming more common with all classes of antibiotics currently used to treat acne vulgaris. Although continued use of systemic tetracycline group antibiotics was believed to result in colonization with tetracyclineresistant Staphylococcus aureus, this does not appear to be true. Other antibiotics, including trimethoprim alone or in combination with sulfamethoxazole, and azithromycin, reportedly are helpful. Some hormonal therapies may be effective in the treatment of acne vulgaris. Oral contraceptives increase sex hormonebinding globulin, resulting in an overall decrease in circulating free testosterone. Combination birth control pills have shown efficacy in the treatment of acne vulgaris. Isotretinoin is a systemic retinoid that is highly effective in the treatment of severe, recalcitrant acne vulgaris. reduces the presence of P acnes. Isotretinoin therapy should be initiated at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg/d for 4 weeks and increased as tolerated until a cumulative dose of 120-150 mg/kg is achieved. Isotretinoin is a teratogen, and pregnancy must be avoided. Contraception counseling is mandatory, and 2 negative pregnancy test results are required prior to the initiation of therapy in women of childbearing potential. The baseline laboratory examination should also include cholesterol and triglyceride assessment, hepatic transaminase levels, and a CBC count. Pregnancy tests and laboratory examinations should be repeated monthly during treatment.