It’s safe to say that almost everyone has endured the burden of having the occasional pimple or two. However, according to the American Academy of Dermatology’s website, acne is more than just a few pimples. Acne is a skin condition that includes many blemishes, such as nodules, papules, blackheads and whiteheads.
Dr. Letitia Hazel-Lindsay, the NC State medical director of Student Health Services, shared her expertise on the skin malady.
“Acne usually starts between the ages of 10 to 13 years old and starts to decrease in the early 20s,” Hazel-Lindsay said.
That is a fairly long time that a person could be battling this inconvenience, and some people may wonder why they have acne.
“During the teenage years, the glands that produce oil get larger and more oil is produced,” Hazel-Lindsay said. “An overabundance of normal skin cells combines with the oil and blocks the pores. This allows bacteria that normally live on the skin to overgrow. Inflammation develops and the skin can turn red or swell, which is what we call a pimple.”
Along with the medical and genetic reasons, there could also be some other variables that may factor into why people have acne, such as diet and stress.
Hazel-Lindsay said diet is a controversial issue when it comes to explaining why a person might have acne.
“Some studies have found weak associations between cow’s milk and an increased risk of acne, perhaps because of hormones that occur naturally in milk,” Hazel-Lindsay said. “However, there is no strong evidence that milk, high-fat foods or chocolate increase the risk of acne.”
There is more evidence to show a relationship between stress and risk of acne, according to Hazel-Lindsay.
“Psychological stress can probably worsen acne,” Hazel-Lindsay said. “In several studies of students, acne severity appeared to worsen during times of increased stress.”
Hazel-Lindsay has several suggestions for how people can minimize their outbreaks and discussed some effective treatment options.
According to Hazel-Lindsay, maintaining good hygiene is always a smart and productive way people can reduce their chances of getting acne.
“Wash your face using your fingers no more than twice a day with a gentle non-soap cleanser,” Hazel-Lindsay said. “Use warm, not hot water, and rinse your face. Do not scrub your face because that can make acne worse and damage the skin.”
Hazel-Lindsay said picking and poking at the bumps can also irritate and worsen them.
“Do not pick or squeeze pimples,” Hazel-Lindsay said. “This can make acne worse, cause scarring and lead to infections.”
Some products that people use every day, such as makeup, can make acne worse.
“Avoid oil-based skin and makeup products because they can make acne worse,” Hazel-Lindsay said. “If you use a moisturizer for your face, a moisturizer labeled as ‘non-comedogenic’ is often best.”
There are multiple forms of treatments one could use, which could all be equally helpful.
“There is no single best treatment for acne, and combinations of treatments usually work best,” Hazel-Lindsay said. “Since it takes about two months for acne lesions to mature, a treatment should be used for at least two to three months to see if it will work.”
Though many treatments are helpful, Hazel-Lindsay mentioned some of the best types of treatment and why they are effective.
“Benzoyl peroxide can be found in many over-the-counter products and is used frequently to treat acne,” Hazel-Lindsay said. “Topical antibiotics and oral [products] work by controlling the growth of acne bacteria and reducing inflammation. Topical retinoids like Retin-A are also effective in treating moderate to severe acne.”
Sometimes the best thing to do is consult a doctor, according to Hazel-Lindsay.
“If you have mild acne, you can try non-prescription acne products,” Hazel-Lindsay said. “You might even try using more than one product at once. If you do not improve after three months, or if you have moderate to severe acne, ask your doctor for advice.”
