All About Acne

Where does acne come from? As you may have noticed, your skin harbors countless numbers of hair follicles. Inside your follicles exist tiny glands that produce an oil called “sebum.” This oil mixes with the skin cells in the follicle and joins them on the journey to the outer layers of the skin. However, when there is too much sebum, or too many dead skin cells or just something on the surface that blocks their exit from the follicle, a blockage can occur. Add some bacteria to the party and the result is acne!

There are many myths as to what contributes to acne. Many people believe that foods such as chocolate or French fries are to blame. Even though there is no scientific support for these claims, there actually are certain factors that may put you at risk of developing acne, such as:

- Hormonal changes caused by puberty or pregnancy - Certain medications, like birth control or corticosteroids - A diet high in refined sugars or carbs such as bread and chips

What are the risk factors for developing acne?

Young people are usually the most at-risk group for developing acne because of puberty. During this time in a young person’s life the body undergoes dramatic hormonal changes. These hormones can trigger overactive oil production which can lead to an increased risk of acne. Usually, hormonal acne related to puberty will subside once the teenager reaches adulthood.

How is acne diagnosed and treated?

If you have the symptoms of acne, such as blackheads, whiteheads or pimples, etc. your doctor will be able to confirm a diagnosis by simply examining your skin. Luckily, there are a number of self-care measures one can do at home to help clear up the skin and prevent future breakouts.

Mountainside Medical offers a wide variety of products to add to your skin care regimen, as well as tips and tricks to help you beat even your worst acne symptoms:

- Clean the skin daily with a mild soap to remove excess oil and dirt - Regularly shampoo the hair and keep it out of your face - Try products with benzoyl peroxide. It is present in most of acne creams and gels and is used for drying out existing pimples while preventing new ones.

Know your options! Check out our Skin Care section for more information about popular acne products to help you find one that’s best suited to your needs today.