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Acne Fact Sheet

What is acne?

  • Acne occurs when the pores of the skin become clogged with oil.
  • Bacteria become trapped in the pore and irritate the skin and hair follicle.
  • The irritation around the plugged pore and hair follicle forms a red bump called Acne.
  • A black plug, or blackhead, is formed when the dead skin comes to the surface.

Who gets acne?

  • Acne affects almost all teens..
  • It begins around puberty when the body produces more hormones called androgens, which make the oil glands produce more oil.

Are there degrees of acne?

  • Acne can range from mild to severe.
  • When severe, it often results in scarring.
  • Squeezing or popping pimples forces the oil and bacteria into deeper layers of skin and can cause cystic acne and scarring.

What contributes to acne?

  • Changes in hormone levels
  • Family history
  • Hot, humid climate
  • Oily make up
  • Rubbing and irritating the skin
  • Stress

What helps to reduce acne?

  • Having a healthy diet and regular exercise helps overall skin health, specific foods, such as fatty foods and chocolate, probably do not make acne worse.
  • Touching or squeezing blemishes can increase redness and scarring and should be avoided.
  • Using skin care products labelled “nonacnegenic”, “noncomedogenic”, “oil free” or “will not clog pores” can help.
  • Rubbing alcohol will not help acne and may cause irritation.
  • Keeping hair off the forehead makes your skin less oily.
  • Keeping hands and telephone off of the face reduces acne.

How is acne Treated?

  • Use a mid-soap and wash the skin gently. Frequent or hard washing will damage the skin and cause more inflammation.
  • Medicine can be bought without a prescription (2.5-10% benzoyl peroxide) and applied to the skin (topically).
  • Acne medicines should be applied to the entire area where the break-out occurs, not just on the individual blemishes.
  • If this does not work, a doctor can be contacted.
  • There are many medications for acne, including antibiotics and some birth control pills, that require a prescription from your doctor.

Always Consult a Qualified Skin Specialist ( Dermatologist) with the following Qualification MBBS, MD/ DDVL/ DNB Degree.

Dr. Vijaya Veeranna Sajjan
Associate Professor Department of Dermatology​
MBBS, DDVL, DNB

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