Acne Scars

Definition

Acne Scars are the marks or pimples caused when the hair follicles (or "pores") on the skin become plugged with oil and dead skin cells.

Any color change or skin defect still present after 1 year is considered to be a permanent defect or scar. Acne scars can be avoided by treating acne breakouts in their early stage. It is one of most common skin conditions in the world. It is now afflicting 40 to 50 million Americans.

Acne scars result from two types of tissue response to the inflammation of acne:

1. Increased tissue formation, and
2. Loss of tissue.

Causes

Actual cause of acne is unknown. Doctors believe it results from several related factors. It has no proper cause that doctors believe that it has there own cause. One important factor is an increase in hormones called androgens (male sex hormones), primarily testosterone, certainly play a large role. It is mainly occur in teenager.

For reasons that remain poorly understood, hair follicles get blocked with an overabundance of normal skin cells known as keratinocytes. An important reason why acne occurs mainly in teenagers is because of hormonal changes in the adolescent body, affecting the glands and the chemical messengers they produce.

Symptoms

Acne includes whiteheads, blackheads, pimples, cysts and nodules. They may occur anywhere on the body. However, acne most often appears in areas where there is a high concentration of sebaceous glands, like on the face, neck, chest, shoulders and upper back.

The symptoms of acne may resemble other skin conditions. Always consult your physician for a diagnosis.

Treatment

The treatment is to prevent skin scarring, to prevent psychological distress and to shorten the time someone has to put up with acne. Healthy skin needs a good intake of vitamins A, C and E, zinc and at least eight glasses of water a day.

Topical treatments such as retinoids (tretinoin, tazarotene, or adapalene) or antibiotics (benzoyl peroxide, clindamycin) can be used. Oral antibiotics can already be taken.

If possible Use ordinary hygiene on affected areas, washing your face once or twice daily with your usual soap or cleanser. Deodorant soaps may be used, but they are of no particular value for acne.