Acne (Pimples)
Acne (acne vulgaris, common acne) is a disease of the hair follicles of the
face, chest, and back that affects almost all males and females during
puberty; the only exception being teenage members of a few primitive
isolated tribes living in Neolithic societies. It is not caused by bacteria,
although bacteria play a role in its development. It is not unusual for some
women to develop acne in their mid- to late-20s.
Acne appears on the skin as...

congested pores ("comedones"), also known as blackheads or
whiteheads,

tender red bumps also known as pimples or zits,

pustules, and occasionally as

Cysts (deep pimples, boils).
You can do a lot to treat your acne using products available at a drugstore
or cosmetic counter that do not require a prescription. However, for tougher
cases of acne, you should consult a physician for treatment options.
No one factor causes acne. Acne happens when sebaceous (oil) glands
attached to the hair follicles are stimulated at the time of puberty by
elevated levels of male hormones. Sebum (oil) is a natural substance which
lubricates and protects the skin. Associated with increased oil production is
a change in the manner in which the skin cells mature so that they are
predisposed to clog the follicular openings or pores. The clogged hair
follicle gradually enlarges, producing a bump. As the follicle enlarges, the
wall may rupture, allowing irritating substances and normal skin bacteria
access into the deeper layers of the skin, ultimately producing
inflammation.
Inflammation near the skin's surface produces a pustule; deeper
inflammation results in a papule (pimple); deeper still and it's a cyst. If the
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oil breaks though to the surface, the result is a "whitehead." If the oil
accumulates melanin pigment or becomes oxidized, the oil changes from
white to black, and the result is a "blackhead." Blackheads are therefore
not dirt and do not reflect poor hygiene.
Here are some factors that don't usually play a role in acne:
What other skin conditions can mimic acne?

Rosacea: This condition is characterized by pimples but not comedones
and occurs in the middle third of the face, along with redness, flushing,
and superficial blood vessels. It generally affects people in their 30s
and 40s and older.

Pseudofolliculitis: This is sometimes called "razor bumps" or "razor
rash." When cut close to the skin, curly neck hairs bend under the skin
and produce pimples. This is a mechanical problem, and treatment
involves shaving less (growing a beard, laser hair removal).
Pseudofolliculitis can, of course, occur in patients who have acne, too.

Folliculitis: Pimples can occur on other parts of the body, such as the
abdomen, buttocks, or legs. These represent not acne but inflamed
follicles. If these don't go away on their own, doctors can prescribe oral
or external antibiotics, generally not the same ones used for acne.

Gram-negative folliculitis: Some patients who have been treated with
oral antibiotics for long periods develop pustules filled with bacteria
resistant to the antibiotics which have previously been used. Bacterial
culture tests can identify these germs, leading the doctor to prescribe
different antibiotics or other forms of treatment.
When should you start acne treatment?
Since everyone gets acne at some time, the right time to treat it is when it
bothers you or when the potential for scarring develops. This can be when
severe acne flares suddenly, for mild acne that just won't go away, or even
when a single pimple decides to show up the week before your prom or
wedding. The decision is yours.
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
Heredity: With the exception of very severe acne, most people do not
have the problem exactly as their parents did. Almost everyone has
some acne at some point in their life.

Food: Parents often tell teens to avoid pizza, chocolate, greasy and
fried foods, and junk food. While these foods may not be good for
overall health, they don't cause acne or make it worse. Although some
recent studies have implicated milk and pure chocolate in aggravating
acne, these findings are very far from established.

Dirt: As mentioned above, "blackheads" are oxidized oil, not dirt. Sweat
does not cause acne, therefore, it is not necessary to shower instantly
after exercise for fear that sweat will clog pores. On the other hand,
excessive washing can dry and irritate the skin.

Stress: Some people get so upset by their pimples that they pick at
them and make them last longer. Stress, however, does not play much
of a direct role in causing acne.
In occasional patients, the following may be contributing factors:

Pressure: In some patients, pressure from helmets, chin straps, collars,
suspenders, and the like can aggravate acne.

Drugs: Some medications may cause or worsen acne, such as those
containing iodides, bromides, or oral or injected steroids (either the
medically prescribed prednisone [Deltasone, Orasone, Prednicen-M,
Liquid Pred] or the steroids that bodybuilders or athletes take). Other
drugs that can cause or aggravate acne are anticonvulsant medications
and lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid), which is used to treat bipolar disorder.
Most cases of acne, however, are not drug related.

Occupations: In some jobs, exposure to industrial products like cutting
oils may produce acne.
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
Cosmetics: Some cosmetics and skin-care products are pore clogging
("comedogenic"). Of the many available brands of skin-care products, it
is important to read the list of ingredients and choose those which have
water listed first or second if you are concerned about acne. These
"water-based" products are usually safe.
What can you do about acne on your own?
Think back to the three basic causes of acne and you can understand why
the focus of both home treatment and prescription therapy is to (1) unclog
pores, (2) kill bacteria, and (3) minimize oil. But first a word about...
Lifestyle: Moderation and regularity are good things, but not everyone can
sleep eight hours, eat three good meals, and drink eight glasses of water a
day. You can, however, still control your acne even if your routine is frantic
and unpredictable. Probably the most useful lifestyle changes you can
make are to never to pick or squeeze pimples. Playing with or popping
pimples, no matter how careful and clean you are, nearly always makes
bumps stay redder and bumpier longer. People often refer to redness as
"scarring," but fortunately it usually isn't in the permanent sense. It's just a
mark that takes months to fade if left entirely alone.
Open the pores
Cleansing and skin care: Despite what you read in popular style and
fashion magazines, there is no magic product or regimen that is right for
every person and situation.

Mild cleansers: Washing once or twice a day with a mild cleansing bar
or liquid (for example, Dove, Neutrogena, Basis, Purpose, and Cetaphil
are all inexpensive and popular) will keep the skin clean and minimize
sensitivity and irritation.

Exfoliating cleansers and masques: A variety of mild scrubs,
exfoliants, and masks can be used. These products contain either fine
granules or salicylic acid in a concentration that makes it a very mild
peeling agent. These products remove the outer layer of the skin and
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thus open pores. Products containing glycolic or alpha hydroxy acids
are also gentle skin exfoliants.

Retinol: Not to be confused with the prescription medication Retin-A,
this derivative of vitamin A can help promote skin peeling.
Kill the bacteria

Antibacterial cleansers: The most popular ingredient in over-thecounter antibacterial cleansers is benzoyl peroxide.

Topical (external) applications: These products come in the form of
gels, creams, and lotions, which are applied to the affected area. The
active ingredients that kill surface bacteria include benzoyl peroxide,
sulfur, and resorcinol. Some brands promoted on the Internet and cable
TV (such as ProActiv) are much more costly than identical products you
can buy in the drugstore.
Benzoyl peroxide causes red and scaly skin irritation in a small number of
people, which goes away as soon as you stop using the product. Keep in
mind that benzoyl peroxide is a bleach, so do not let products containing
benzoyl peroxide leave unsightly blotching on colored clothes, shirts,
towels, and carpets.
Reduce the oil
You cannot stop your oil glands from producing oil (unless you mess with
your hormones or metabolism in ways you shouldn't). Even isotretinoin
(Accutane, see below) only slows down oil glands for a while; they come
back to life later. What you can do is to get rid of oil on the surface of the
skin and reduce the embarrassing shine.

Use a gentle astringent/toner to wipe away oil. (There are many brands
available in pharmacies, as well as from manufacturers of cosmetic
lines.)
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
Products containing glycolic acid or one of the other alpha hydroxy
acids are also mildly helpful in clearing the skin by causing the
superficial layer of the skin to peel (exfoliate).

Masks containing sulfur and other ingredients draw out facial oil.

Antibacterial pads containing benzoyl peroxide have the additional
benefit of helping you wipe away oil.
What are other things you can do for acne?

Cosmetics: Don't be afraid to hide blemishes with flesh-tinted coverups
or even foundation, as long at it is water-based (which makes it
noncomedogenic). There are many quality products available.

Facials: While not absolutely essential, steaming and “deep-cleaning”
pores are useful, both alone and in addition to medical treatment,
especially for people with "whiteheads" or "blackheads." Having these
pores unclogged by a professional also reduces the temptation to
do it yourself.

Pore strips: Pharmacies now carry, under a variety of brand names,
strips which you put on your nose, forehead, chin, etc., to "pull out" oil
from your pores. These are, in effect, a do-it-yourself facial. They are
inexpensive, safe, and work reasonably well if used properly.

Toothpaste? One popular home remedy is to put toothpaste on zits.
There is no medical basis for this. Ditto for vinegar.
What is a good basic skin regimen?
These are all good basic skin regimens that may help with the acne battle:
1. Cleanse twice daily with a 5% benzoyl peroxide wash. An alternative for
those who are allergic to benzoyl peroxide is 2% salicylic acid.
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2. Apply a gel or cream containing 5% benzoyl peroxide; an alternative is
sulfur or resorcinol.
3. At night, apply a spot cream containing sulfur to the affected areas.
4. Use a light skin moisturizer and water-based oil-free makeup.
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