Acne is a very common dermatological disorder that sets off in the teenage. However, it can even be experienced by adults alike. Acne begins when hair follicles become clogged with excess sebum. Follicles are basically tiny pores through which hair exits the body. The follicles also excrete sebum which acts as a natural moisturiser for the skin. Sometimes, the follicles may also become clogged with bacteria and dead skin cells causing bumps to develop on the skin. These bumps called acne are characterized by white heads, pimples, blackheads, cysts and blemishes. Acne and pimples generally affect the face, neck, back, chest, shoulders and upper arms.

Acne is basically of two types. Non- inflammatory acne is characterized by blackheads and white heads. It does not cause any blemishes on the skin and can be easily treated. The other type of acne is inflammatory acne is the one in which pimples appear on the skin. These pimples may even rupture and create inflammatory areas on the skin. Pimples are not very easy to treat and may even leave blemishes and scars on the skin.

Causes of acne and pimples

• Hormonal changes: Hormonal changes in the body during various stages like puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, birth control can trigger acne to outbreak. Sometimes, the sebum production in the body is increased by androgens and this causes acne and pimples to appear on the skin.
• Stress: Stress is one of the main causes of acne and pimples. When a person is in stress, the body releases a hormone called coristol that tells the body to produce pore clogging oil.
• Diet: To maintain a healthy body and skin, it is essential to take a balanced healthy diet. A balanced healthy diet keeps the level of hormones in the body balanced and also ensures proper metabolism. The intake of junk food and too many dairy products leads to an outbreak of acne and pimples.
• Oils: When the body gets exposed to excess oil from skin care products or other sources, the excess oil causes an outbreak of acne.
• Medicines: There are a few medicines that may have side effects on the skin; one of them being outbreak of acne and pimples.
• Exposure to dirt and sun: When the skin gets exposed to excess dirt it may develop acne. Sun is known to be an acne trigger for many people and a long exposure to the sun may lead to an outbreak of acne and pimples.

How to prevent acne and pimples?

Acne and pimples if not cured and treated at the right time and in the right manner may lead to the development of blemishes and scars on the skin. These blemishes and scars are not easy to get rid of and in some cases may become permanent marks on the skin. It is therefore essential to prevent acne and pimples from occurring in the first place. Following are a few tips to prevent acne and pimples:

• Wash face with a gentle and alcohol free soap and lukewarm water.
• Avoid perspiration as it can clog pores.
• Use cosmetics that are labelled oil free and are powder based.
• Always remove make-up before sleeping.
• Avoid excess exposure to the sun.
• Drink lots of water.
• Eat a healthy balanced diet.
• Do not touch the face with hands or other things too often.
• Never squeeze or prick an acne blemish as it may lead to the development of a scar.

Treating acne and pimples

When acne and pimples break out, it becomes essential to treat them so that one can get a clear skin. Mild acne and pimples can be easily treated at home using natural products or using acne treating products like cleansers, creams and sprays that can treat acne easily. Severe acne needs more attention and takes time to be treated. A dermatologist can prescribe a few medicines that can fight acne by killing the bacteria and by reducing the sebum level in the body. If the pimples are red and are turning into blemishes, antibiotics maybe prescribed. In the case of most severe acne and pimple outbreaks, one can go in for cosmetic procedures that can treat acne and scarring. Laser and light therapy can also be opted for to reduce oil production in the body and to reduce acne and scarring.