common acne

Acne vulgaris, commonly called acne, is a skin condition that affects most people at some point in their lives. It can occur during adolescence and into adulthood. Characterized by blackheads, whiteheads, and blemishes of varying severity, acne vulgaris can be a minor or major problem.

Acne vulgaris begins when oil and dead skin clog the pores on the face. It can also affect the neck, back, chest, and shoulders. If clogged pores become infected, the result is swelling, pus, inflammation, and tenderness.

Causes of acne vulgaris

The exact cause of acne vulgaris is unknown. However, there are several factors that seem to start the process that leads to a breakup.

Overactive sebaceous glands: Especially in adolescence, but sometimes also during adulthood, the sebaceous glands in the skin become extremely active, causing the skin to become oilier. This oil can get clogged in the pores and lead to acne.

Hormonal fluctuations: Again, during puberty and adolescence, hormonal fluctuations seem to aggravate acne vulgaris. Adult women may have flare-ups at times of hormonal changes, such as during the menstrual cycle or perimenopause.

Stress: High stress periods in a person’s life can lead to flare-ups.

Certain medications: Some medications can aggravate acne vulgaris or create the right conditions for acne to appear.

Genetics: Acne vulgaris seems to run in families.

Diet and Hygiene – It is important to note that a poor diet or lack of cleanliness will not cause acne vulgaris. However, a healthy diet is critical to keeping your immune system up to par, and general cleaning can help inhibit the growth of bacteria that cause blemishes to fester.

control acne vulgaris

To control acne vulgaris, the following steps can be followed. If you can’t control your acne this way, see your dermatologist.

Be sure to wash the affected area twice a day with a mild cleanser made especially for acne vulgaris symptoms.

Gently exfoliate the affected area twice a week with a special acne exfoliating product. Do not rub the area, as this can aggravate your acne vulgaris.

Use an over-the-counter acne cream or gel that contains benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid.

Use makeup and moisturizers that say “non-comedogenic.” This means that they will not clog the pores.

Do not squeeze or touch acne lesions! This will only make acne vulgaris worse.

Keep your diet healthy and well balanced.

Be consistent with your acne vulgaris treatment and you will see positive results in four to six weeks. If your acne vulgaris does not respond well to your home treatment, see your doctor or dermatologist. He or she may be able to prescribe more aggressive treatments to help clear up and control your breakouts. Remember that acne vulgaris can be treated, but you must be consistent and give any treatment method time to work.

Acne vulgaris can occur during adolescence or adulthood and can cause a lot of stress along with a decrease in self-confidence. What is acne vulgaris? What are your causes? And most importantly, how can it be treated?