Acne - information and help

About Acne Treatments - Providing basic information about the condition and treatment products.

Acne and acne scarring: why should we treat? - Reasons for early medical intervention and options for treatment of acne scarring, from the Medical Journal of Australia.

Acne Heal - Information on acne myths, treatments, and medications.

Acne Help - Information about medication, myths, and treatment.

Acne Support Group - Support group for people with acne and rosacea. Basic information, membership fees, links, and contact information. Supported by educational grant from Galderma UK, a producer of prescription medicines.

Acne Treatment Clinics - Providers of treatment in the locality of Toronto, Canada.

Acne.as - Offering information, help and advice for the treatment of acne and related scarring.

Acne.com - Comprehensive introduction to acne, its causes and treatments. Sponsored by the makers of Proactiv Solution.

Acne.net - Introduction to several forms of acne and some available treatments, by a dermatologist and medical school professor.

AcneNet - Comprehensive acne information resource sponsored by an unrestricted educational grant from Roche Laboratories Inc., the producer of Accutane, in collaboration with The American Academy of Dermatology

Acne-RX-Skincare.com - Information covering the control and treatment of the condition, scarring, and a newsletter.

BUPA Foundation - Acne - Concise explanation of causes, symptoms and treatment of this disorder, also available for download.

Dermalux Ltd - Sales of a light therapy treatment for acne. Based in the United Kingdom.

Free Acne Book - Presenting a theory on how acne can be reduced through modification of diet.

A Guide to The Treatment Of Acne - Overview of the different types of acne and treatment, from a dermatologist.

National Institutes of Health - Questions and Answers About Acne - Illustrated information on causes of acne skin lesions, and tips and information on common treatments, their side effects, and current research.

Pediatric on Call - Home made remedies with Gulbaaz plant or seeds of Khajoor, found in India, for the treatment of acne and fresh scars.

Acne - treatments and products

Abate Acne and Acne Scars Naturally - Acne and scar treatment natural cream for acne, rosacea skin lesions, pimples, zits, scar tissues, even chicken pox scarring. Triggers skin regeneration, kills acne vulgaris, acts as anti-inflammatory.

Acne Clearz - Offers stainless steel extractor tool to get blackheads out of pores, and serums to remove blemishes.

Acne Control Center - Offers TMRtm, pure oxygen in molecular form. Does not allow bacteria to survive on the skin in its presence, eliminates pimples and cold sores.

Acne Getaway 101 - Traditional chinese herbal formulas to treat pimples, acne, scarring, blackheads and whiteheads.

Acne Ltd. - A compound of ingredients to address acne, in a concentrated smooth solid form that dissolves on the affected facial skin areas.

AcneEase - Intake tablets with Chinese drugs from dried herbs for adult and teenage acne and rosacea.

AcneGuard - Offers a treatment kit for acne that combines salicylic acid and sulfur with multi-vitamins and anti-oxidants to nourish the skin.

Acnesil.com - Offers product with 5% tea-tree oil, claiming it has significant effect in ameliorating acne by reducing the number of open and closed comedones.

AcneWorld.com - Offers solutions for teenagers and adults based on several questions you respond at the web-site to determine the adequate kit of their products for acne or rosacea.

Ageless Skin Care - Offers cleansers, toners, moisturizers and face products for oily skin, congested pores, poor circulation, blemishes, and acne.

Alpha Clear - A two part cleanser-exfoliant designed to clean and moisturize the skin while enhancing the natural flow of oils and treating acne.

Alpha-Sterol SA - Topical plant protein compound that claim to be an effective acne, pimple, blackhead cure.

Apresia - Offers a kit with cleanser, acne inhibiting gel containing topical zinc, glycolic gel and mineral clay mask; also for ingrow hairs and cold sores.

BenzaClin by Dermik Laboratories, Inc. - A prescription topical acne gel combining the antibiotic clindamycin 1% and benzoyl peroxide 5%. Includes contraindications and information about possible unwanted side effects.

Blemish-Be-Gone - Botanical drops to remove skin blemishes, warts, scars, and reduce acne.

Clear Complexions Ltd. - Acne treatment services performed by licensed doctors, aestheticians, and nurses in the Chicago suburbs; and prescription, and over the counter products.

DAK Pharmaceuticals - Product based on salycilic acid to prevent and treat pimples and blemishes.

Derma Cleanse - Product for intake based on chinese herbals plus protocol for dietary and lifestyle measures to help control acne.

Dermawand - Electric tool imitates hundreds of tiny fingers patting the surface of the skin, producing a fine spray of enriched oxygen to clean acne skin.

Differin - A medical prescription retinoid chemical molecule for the treatment of acne, that claims to be as effective as tretinoin 0.025%, but with low cutaneous irritation.

Evolution-X - Vitamin and mineral based supplement to help control acne. Includes ingredients, usage instructions, and recommended partner products.

Far East Med - Traditional Chinese Medicine formula for an herbal treatment. Features clinical results and how it works.

Jevelle International - MagicClear products kill bacteria that lives down inside the hair follicles causing infection, and prevents acne from recurring.

New Twist - New fun and colorful line of acne treatment cosmetics also disguised with aromas.

Oceanic Clay - From deposits of dead micro-organisms and sea life. It contains micro-nutrients that cleanse, hydrate, detoxify, and remove the breeding ground for acne bacteria.

pH Solutions - Offers a low ph 0.5% salycilic acid formula product kit to clear, heal, smooth and beautify skin with acne.

Proactiv Solution - Three product kit combines benzoyl peroxide and sulfur with allantoin, panthenol, aloe and chamomile for the treatment of acne pimples and blackheads in adults and teenagers.

Reversion - Antimicrobial wash and salycilic acid to unclog pores. Treatment for mild blemishes to severe acne.

Sage Advise - Products for acne and to aid in the elimination of fine lines, wrinkles, and discoloration. Also offers a list of comedogenic ingredients in cosmetics.

Stri-Dex - Delivers an acne fighting range of products containing botanicals, and anti-bacterial salycilic acid or triclosan. Shows locations of US retailers.

SulfurSoap.com - 10% sulphur soap, anti-acne, antiseptic, anti fungal.

Zapzyt - Line of acne products with benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, sulfur, aloe and chamomile combinations.

Zena Cosmetics - Products to control acne infection based on natural plant ingredients. With product lists and wholesale options.

Childhood and teen acne

Absolute Acne Info [ Teens/Mature Teens ] - An interactive community of teens helping each other battle pimples with support, answers, and message boards.

Acne Advice [ Teens/Mature Teens ] - Offers information about the causes and types of acne and provides tips on treating acne through diet, exercise, relaxation, and treatments.

Acne Less - Offers articles, features, tips and free remedies for acne treatment.

Acne Treatment Information [ Teens/Mature Teens ] - Ranks the most popular acne products, medicines, and treatments in context of price, efficacy and results.

AcneBeat [ Kids/Teens ] - Learn myths and tips about zits with the help of a cartoon band, the Mirrors, who help a friend overcome acne as the group prepares to perform in a music festival.

AcneGuide [ Teens/Mature Teens ] - Designed to help teens understand the condition more clearly, and to provide information about maintaining acne control, and to help cure it with medication.

AcneNet [ Teens/Mature Teens ] - A comprehensive acne information site by Roche Laboratories and the American Academy of Dermatology. Find out basic facts, how and why it happens, treatments that are available, and Dermatologists in your local area.

Acne.org [ Teens/Mature Teens ] - Information on acne, medications and treatment of scars. Includes a regiment for keeping skin clear.

FaceFacts [ Teens/Mature Teens ] - Information on causes, treatments and medications for rosacea, pimples, zits, blackheads and other forms of acne. Includes acne myths, facts and success stories.

KidsHealth: Acne [ Kids/Teens ] - Information for kids explaining the causes, myths, tips, and articles.

Natural Acne Remedy - Provides remedies on acne treatment at home, with free tips, articles, and advice on diet plans and exercises.

Natural Acne Treatment [ Teens/Mature Teens ] - List of articles on acne related problems and treatments.

Oxy Canada [ Teens ] - Learn how Oxy cleansers, pads and acne medication work. Includes quizzes and games.

Roaccutane [ Mature Teens ] - Provides lifestyle and health information for users who wish to know more about acne, its causes, treatments, and side effects from the use of Roaccutane. [Prescription required for site access]

Skin Secrets Exposed - Provides information about curing common skin problems like acne, blackheads, whiteheads, etc.

Acne information article

Acne is a pustular infection of the skin, caused by changes in the sebaceous glands. The most common form of acne is known as acne vulgaris, which means common acne. Excessive secretion of oils from the glands combine with naturally occurring dead skin cells to block the hair follicles. Oil secretions build up beneath the blocked pore, providing a perfect environment for the skin bacteria Propionibacterium acnes to multiply uncontrolled. In response, the skin inflames, producing the visible lesion. The face, chest, back and upper arms are especially exposed.

The infection is common in puberty as a result of an abnormal response to normal levels of the male hormone testosterone. The response for most people diminishes over time and acne thus tends to disappear, or at least decrease, after one reaches early adulthood. There is, however, no way to predict how long it will take for it to disappear entirely, and some individuals will continue to suffer from acne decades later, into their thirties and forties and even beyond.

Acne affects a large percentage of humans at some stage in life. Aside from scarring its main effects are psychological, such as reduced self-esteem and depression. Acne usually appears during adolescence, when people already tend to be at their most socially-insecure. For this reason acne should be treated if severe.

Causes for acne

Exactly why some people get acne and some do not is not fully known. It is known to be partly hereditary. Several factors are known to cause acne:

Hormonal activity
Hyperactive sebaceous glands
Accumulation of dead skin cells
Bacteria in the pores
Skin irritation or scratching of any sort
Anabolic steroids
Birth control pills, however many women have reported reduced acne while on the pill
Those exposed to high levels of chlorine compounds, particularly chlorinated dioxins, often develop severe, long-lasting acne, known as Chloracne
Consumption of heat damaged foods. Proteins exposed to heat are altered in such a way that digestive enzymes are unable to break them down into constituant amino acids. These proteins are processed by lymph glands and excreted through the skin. Due to the hydophelic nature of protein, subcutaneous water pressure is increased which closes off sebum canals, trapping bacteria. A cyst is the result.

Not causes for acne

Since the medical knowledge about acne is still relatively small, many misconceptions and rumours about what causes acne exists:

Diet. Chocolate, chips, sugar, milk and seafood among others have not been shown to affect acne.
Deficient personal hygiene. Acne is not caused by dirt. This misconception probably comes from the fact that blackheads by their nature are black and the acne infected skin, therefore, looks dirty.
Sex. Rumours have had it that both celibacy and masturbation are causes for acne. This is not the case.

Treatments

There is a myriad of products sold for the treatment of acne, many of them without any scientifically proven effects. However, a combination of treatments can usually prevent acne in all but the most severe cases. Generally there are three types of treatments that have been proven effective:

Killing the bacteria that are caused by the blocked follicles. This is done either by the intake of antibiotics like tetracyclines, or by treating the affected areas externally with bactericidal substances like benzoyl peroxide. However, reducing the p.acnes bacteria will not, in itself, do anything to reduce the oil secretion that is the initial cause of the blocked follicles. Therefore, acne will generally reappear quite soon after the end of treatment — days later in the case of topical applications, and weeks later in the case of oral antibiotics.

Reducing the secretion of oils from the glands. This is done by a great daily intake of Vitamin A derivates like isotretinoin over a period of a few months. The product is sold by Roche under the names Accutane in USA and Roaccutane in Europe. Isotretinoin has been shown to be very effective in treating severe acne and is effective in up to 80% of the patients. The drug has a much longer effect than anti-bacterial treatments and will often cure acne for good. The treatment requires close medical examination by a dermatologist since the drug has many known side effects. The most common are dry skin and nosebleed. It can also permanently damage the liver and cause depression. The drug also causes birth defects if women become pregnant while taking it.

Exfoliating the skin. The topical treatment salicylic acid for example encourages the peeling of the top layer of skin to prevent a build-up of dead skin cells which combine with skin oil to block pores. It also helps to unblock clogged pores.

Popping a pimple or any physical acne treatment should not be attempted by anyone but a qualified dermatologist. Pimple popping irritates skin, can spread the infection deeper into the skin and can cause permanent scarring.

Acne rosacea

Many women are very upset when they first get acne pimples at age 30 or 40. Most adults who develop acne at an older age, rather than just continue to have the acne that they first experienced as teenagers, have a type of acne called acne rosacea, or "rosacea", as it is commonly known.

Acne rosacea causes redness, pimples, and telangiectasias, which look like broken blood vessels. Women with acne rosacea do not have the whiteheads and blackheads seen with common acne. Women with acne rosacea may experience flushing of their face, especially when they are hot, drink alcohol or hot drinks, or eat spicy foods. This flushing causes the face to appear red. Sometimes this redness becomes permanent.

Acne rosacea can usually be treated with antibiotic lotions or gels. The formulas used for these are often different than those used by young women with acne, because the skin of women with acne rosacea tends to be dry, not oily. Sometimes, antibiotic pills need to be taken. All these treatments require a prescription, so consult your health care provider if you think you have acne rosacea.

Acne scars

Severe acne often leaves nasty scars where the skin gets a "volcanic" shape. Acne scars are very hard (and expensive) to treat and it is unusual for the scars to be successfully removed completely. In those cases, scar treatment may be appropriate. The most commonly used forms of scar treatments are:

Dermabrasion. The top layer of the skin is removed to make the scar look less pitted. It makes the scar less visible but does not remove it completely. Multiple treatments may be necessary to get the desired results.
Laser resurfacing. A laser is used to burn off the top layer of the skin.
Punch excision. The scar is excised with a punch tool and the edges are sutured together.
Chemical peels. Different types of acid are applied to the skin so that a smoother layer can surface.
Subcision. The scar is detached from deeper tissue, allowing a pool of blood to form under the scar which helps form a connective tissue under the scar, levelling it with the surface.

Source: information here is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article Acne.