Acne is the most common skin disorder and can be a difficult psychological problem. Though acne can occur at any age, it most frequently begins during teenage years and usually peaks in severity around age 16. Acne should get better with age, but in some individuals, it may persist throughout life in varying degrees of severity.
The cause of acne is fourfold: plugging of the pores, excessive oil production, plentiful bacteria, and subsequent inflammation due to the aforementioned causes.
In females, hormones may play a major role in initiating or perpetuating the problem. Acne has also been proven to be worsened by skim milk and a high glycemic (carbohydrate) diet. No wonder it’s so common among teenagers!
There are many things you can do to help control acne, such as get plenty of sleep, exercise and shower promptly afterward, drink plenty of water, limit sugar, use “noncomedogenic” sunscreen and face wash, and add omega 3 fatty acids to your diet.
What does “non-comedogenic” mean? This term is placed on product labels to suggest that they don’t cause acne. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that you won’t experience breakouts from the labeled product. It depends largely on the quantity, frequency, and skin type of the product applied. Many over-the-counter products may not be tested on human skin and may have only been proven “non-comedogenic” in the lab.
When you need more help managing an acne problem, that’s where we come in! At West Valley Dermatology, our efforts in treating acne are aimed at decreasing the ability of the pores to get plugged by dirt, oil, and dead skin cells. When you come in for your first appointment, we can go over a variety of well-proven medical therapies to improve acne, and determine what is best for you.
