Acne: Is it affecting your self-confidence?

Acne has become a common problem, especially among teenagers. They especially affect facial skin which may look bad. They can show in clusters or can leave marks. Also, it does not only affect our skin. Instead, it also shakes a person’s self-esteem and confidence.

Our skin has layers and contains the epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis. Now, our skin has pores in it. These pores help release sebum, sweat, or natural body oils. Therefore, our skin shines and becomes healthy and moisturized. Now, you must have seen large pores on the face. This happens due to extra sebum production. Now, an excessive amount of sebum causes oily skin and also causes acne.

How does it occur?

We have pores at the top of hair follicles. Sometimes, these pores get blocked by bacteria, dead skin, dirt, or overproduction of oil. This trap in the pores results in pimples. In addition, according to the Academy of Dermatology, acne is one of the most common skin conditions in the United States.

Although acne is not a life-threatening condition it can have a great impact on a person. Long-term or severe condition can leave marks on the face known as acne scars. But the more big concern is that it affects mentally too. Also, the condition is painful and it can affect our mental health. Sometimes this condition can shatter our self-esteem. In this world of comparison, people, especially teenagers, may feel worthless. This can be one of the many causes of anxiety and depression.

Different Types of Acne: 

There are different types of acne. Two of them: whiteheads and blackheads are noninflammatory and are common. However, other types need treatment and are inflammatory. So, different types are:

• Whiteheads: This occurs due to clogged pores. Pores can clog due to the trapping of dirt, bacteria, etc. Whitehead occurs when the pore clogs from the opening to the end.
• Blackheads: Blackheads occur due to the same reason. But the difference is pore clogs but the head of the pore is open. They appear black in color. Also, most are seen in the T-zone area of the face.
• Papules: They are usually known as skin lesions. They are red bumps and occur due to excess oil production clogging pores. Also, the bacteria on the skin go around the skin’s surface. They look like changes in skin textures. Also, they can vary in shape, size, or color for everyone.
• Pustules: They are similar to papules, but the difference is they contain pus (a yellow fluid). Therefore, they look white center with red skin around them. They can also appear in clusters especially, on the face, chest, or back. The pus is a result of an infection in the clogged pores.
• Nodules: Nodules look like red bumps on the skin but they are deeply penetrated inside the skin. They are like papules but occur when there is some deep infection inside the pore.
• Cysts: These are the severe types and worst of all. They are red, inflamed, painful, and have pus-filled acne. They are large in size and often burst, causing infection around the skin. Also, acne is the result of a deep infection inside the skin. They are the most difficult to treat.

What are the causes of Acne?

Causes can vary in everyone However, some of the health conditions causing it are:

• Hormones changes or imbalance
• Stress
• Anxiety
• Oil-based products that clog pores
• Medications
• Bacteria
• Inflammation
• Clogging of hair follicles by dead skin or oil
• Family history of acne

Acne Treatment 

You need to contact a doctor if your acne is worsening. Your dermatologist will examine your skin and will prepare a treatment plan accordingly. For mild symptoms and acne, your doctor will prescribe over-the-counter creams, lotions, and cleaners. But if it does not work, then the dermatologist will lead to antibiotics, retinoids, and prescription-strength benzoyl peroxide.

In severe cases, acne can also give scarring. So, doctors prescribe topical antibiotics, topical retinoids, benzoyl Peroxide, and oral antibiotics. However, doctors can also give you Vitamin A medications usually to treat nodular acne. But due to the side effects, this treatment comes when others do not work.

Last Words 

Acne can cause low self-esteem and embarrassment in people. But you need to understand that it is completely normal and not to be embarrassed. Moreover, most likely everyone once suffers from acne, especially in adulthood. So, take treatment if needed and do not feel negative about acne.