Acne is perhaps one of the most dreaded conditions that a young person can face, and even some adults will experience issues with it beyond their youth. Its damaging and embarrassing impact on the skin can be quite severe if left unchecked. Why does acne develop?
There are many different sources in terms of why acne develops, and learning some of the common sources and which ones might apply to you can be helpful when trying to develop the right treatment plan for your own struggle with this condition.
If you are attempting to determine the source of your acne and are interested in acne scar removal, take a look at this guide, which can help you determine which types might be influencing your situation.
What Is Acne?
Almost everyone is familiar with acne to some degree. This troubling skin condition can express itself in many different ways throughout a patient’s lifetime. The most common expressions of acne include:
- Red bumps
- Blackheads
- Whiteheads
- Large, painful lumps beneath the skin
- Cystic Lesions
Why Does Acne Develop?
Acne can develop all over the body but typically develops on the face, chest, upper back, forehead, and shoulders. Sometimes, acne can be treated at home, but in other cases, the hand of a professional must be brought in to amend the issue.
There are a variety of reasons that acne might develop on an individual’s body, as no two patients are the same. Some of the common causes for the development of acne include the following:
- Bacteria
- Inflammation
- Hair follicles that become clogged
- Excess oil production in the skin
- Diet
- Unhealthy consumption of drugs and alcohol
- Smoking
- Hormonal changes
- Stress
Depending on what kind of lifestyle you lead and what stage of life you are at, some of the above risk factors may be more plausible than others. Your physician will determine which of these factors might be at play in your own situation during a consultation.
Additional Risk Factors
Some individuals are more predisposed to experiencing severe acne than others. Some of these risk factors include things like:
· Family history: If you have a parent or other close relative with severe acne, then your risk increases for also experiencing this.
· Hormonal changes: Large hormonal shifts can also cause an individual to break out in acne. These shifts are common during adolescence, pregnancy, and menopause.
· Substance Contact: If you are commonly in contact with certain oily or greasy substances, then there is a high chance that you may experience an acne breakout.
· Distress to the Skin: Individuals who commonly experience friction or distress to certain areas of their body may find that they are prone to experiencing acne in these parts of the body.
Treating Acne
There are a variety of acne treatments available, and your physician should be able to help you determine which one would be the most useful in your particular situation. Some of the common treatments that are employed to control acne include:
- Topical medications
- Oral medications
- Laser light therapy
- Chemical peels
- Steroid injections
- Extraction
Which type of treatment that you receive will have something to do with the overall severity of your situation, as well as the peculiarities of your skin and how it responds to the various types of treatment. Some experimentation may be required to find the right fit for your skin.
Removing Acne Scars
In severe cases of acne, there is the potential that they might leave some type of scarring on your skin. These scars can linger long after the initial acne that caused them has gone away and can be a great source of mental distress and embarrassment for the patient.
Fortunately, there are solutions for helping patients rid themselves of these embarrassing scars. One of the most effective forms of treatment is laser light therapy, which has the power to diminish and eliminate the presence of acne scars on the body. In this type of treatment, a high-powered laser is employed to attack the target area while avoiding damaging the surrounding skin.
Laser light therapy is considered a very safe and effective method for delivering patients a healthier outlook for their skin and eliminating acne scars. Talk with your physician about whether or not they think this type of treatment is right for you.
Your Resource for Acne Scars
McCracken MD is the premiere eye and face care center in Colorado. If you’re having issues with moderate to severe acne and would like to set up a consultation with a professional, contact our office today to set up an appointment.
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