Acne Vulgaris – Types and Prevention

Acne is a condition that develops in and around the hair follicles and their oil-producing glands, called the sebaceous glands, in the skin. These glands occur everywhere over the skin surface with the exception of the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet. Each gland is composed of a number of epithelial cells that is continuous with the surface lining of the skin. As the skin regenerates, these epithelial cells are shed and passed out of the sebaceous glands via the gland ducts in a secretion known as sebum.

Stages of Acne:

Types of Acne Vulgaris: In order to understand the different types and stages of acne vulgaris, the entire spectrum must be broken down into a format that's easiest to understand. The two main types of lesions are Noninflammatory and Inflammatory.
Noninflammatory lesions are called comedos and can result in whiteheads or blackheads. Whiteheads occur when trapped sebum and skin cells stay just BELOW the skin's surface. Blackheads occur when the trapped sebum barely breaks through the skin's surface. The trapped sebum oil turns black due to the exposure and should not be confused with dirt. Whiteheads and blackheads do not contact bacteria. However, pimples, (see below) do contain bacteria.
Inflammatory acne consists of pimples and zits (papules and pustules) and in worst cases, nodules and cysts. Nodules are large, painful, solid lesions that are lodged deep within the skin. Cysts also lay deep within the skin but are filled with pus instead of being solid. Both types can produce scarring.

Prevent Acne Vulgaris

Avoid rubbing, touching, squeezing or pinching the acne blemishes. This can lead to the development of scars or dark blotches. Keeping your hands clean prevents the transfer of sweat, oil and dirt to your face when you rest your hands on your face or touch your face. Since you don't have to worry about zits growing on your palms, there is no limit to the amount of times per day you can wash your hands with soap. Washing your hands frequently and keeping them clean can prevent the unwanted transfer of oil and dirt to your face.
When engaging in sports activities that require tight clothing, pads or helmets, shower and clean yourself thoroughly immediately after the activity.

Acne Vulgaris - Prevention and Treatment Tips

1. Laser surgery has been in use for some time to reduce the scars left behind by acne

2. Try not to scrub or pick at your pimples.

3. Rofecoxib was shown to improve premenstrual acne vulgaris in a placebo controlled study.

4. Chemabrasion, which uses chemicals to peel away top layers of skin.
Hormonal acne is simply acne caused by an overproduction of various hormones in your body. Your hormones regulate everything from sleep cycles, to growth cycles, to muscle growth, to fat regulation, and of course oil production in the skin. When these hormone levels become unbalanced, the result can manifest itself in many ways, one of which is acne.

Your skin's oil production is also a function regulated by hormones. When hormones become unbalanced, oil can be produced in excess, which clogs the pores, which in turn become infected resulting in a pimple.