Frequently Asked Questions about Acne

Many of our visitors have sent questions in for us so we can provide the most comprehensive answer possible. This article includes questions on, among other subjects, how to get rid of acne overnight, how to get rid of acne marks, and how to treat acne quick and naturally. The questions have been shortened and summarized because some of the emails were too long to be directly pasted into the article.

Can I get rid of acne overnight?

No. Getting rid of acne fast is just not possible. The skin takes time to heal and clear up from an acne outbreak. Patience, medication, and a healthy lifestyle will go a long way to curing and preventing acne.

Who is susceptible to acne?

No one knows why some people develop acne and others don't. Acne is most common in people in their teens and twenties. However, both children and older adults have been known to end up with this irritating skin condition.

Does acne cause scars?

Yes, scarring is possible. When left untreated, acne can cause scars. Hypertrophic scars are hard, raised areas of the skin surface while pits, or pock marks, are depressed at various depths into the skin’s surface. To avoid scarring, treat your acne at the earliest stages possible to prevent the fluid pockets that damage the skin and do not squeeze or pick existing pimples, blackheads, or whiteheads.

What causes the dark spots around acne lesions?

Inflammation causes the skin to go red as well as stimulates the production of melanin, a pigment molecule that turns areas brown or black. This area of discoloration around acne tends to last longer then the actual acne. Sometimes, it takes months for the color to disappear.

What will happen to acne that is left untreated?

A mild case of acne usually goes away on its own over time and may or may not leave scars. More sever acne may scar if left untreated. The scars can be removed with lasers but it is much easier and more affordable to treat the acne as soon as it appears.

How do I know if I have adult acne?

Adults will experience a worsening of their acne as they get older. For example, women with adult acne often get flare ups before menstruation and it tends to appear on the chin, jaw line and neck during this time period. The most common symptom is the increased pain experienced with the acne than before.

Can my job have an effect on my acne?

Yes. Certain work environments can aggravate acne. For example, if you work in a hot, humid place, such as a kitchen or laundry service, these conditions add to your skin’s irritation.

What makes adult female acne worse?

There are a number of factors that contribute to acne:

• Hereditary.
• Increased male hormone levels, especially testosterone.
• Birth control pills.
• Stress.
• Oil and grease found in cosmetics, moisturizers, and suntan lotions.
• Some prescriptions, such as cortisone and anti-seizure medication.

Is acne contagious?

You cannot pass acne to other people like you would with a cold or the flu. However, if you pick or squeeze acne on your face with a fingernail and then scratch another area of skin, you can contaminate that scratched area with the bacteria material from the pimple and cause a new pimple to develop.

Does diet affect acne?

For years, it was believed that eating high fat foods, like potato chips, French fries, and chocolate, made acne worse, but studies now show that this is not necessarily true. While you can generally eat what you want, it is still important to maintain a healthy, balanced diet.

What causes acne?

An exact cause for acne cannot be pinpointed. Instead, doctors believe that a number of factors play a role. The most important factors include rising hormones, such as androgens, and heredity. Unfortunately, we inherit the tendency for acne from our parents.

Do sweating and humidity make acne worse?

Yes. Both can cause swelling in the ductal blockages, which speeds the inflammation phase of acne.

Who gets acne?

Researchers have found that nearly 85% of people between the ages of 12 and 24 develop acne. While most people leave acne behind by the time they enter their 30s, some more unfortunate continue to have it well into their 40s.

Is it true that acne becomes worse before periods?

Many women experience temporarily worse acne as part of their pre-menstrual symptoms up to seven days before the start of their menstrual cycle. This relates directly to a dramatic change in hormone levels during this process.

What can make acne worse?

Here are some tips for getting rid of acne:

• If your acne gets worse, you may be on the wrong type of medication. It is best to consult your dermatologist if this happens.
  
  
• You may be allergic to certain foods so it is best to remove these from your diet.
  
  
• Stop using oil-based cosmetics.
  
  
• Be aware that your hormones change before your menstrual cycle so take more care with your skin during this time.
  
  
• Do not squeeze or pick your pimples, blackheads, or whiteheads.
  
  
• Do not wear tight bike helmets, backpacks, or collars.
  
  
• Avoid hot, humid environments whenever possible.
  
  
• Take care not to scrub your skin too hard when cleaning it. Dry off by blotting the towel on your skin instead of rubbing it.
  
  
• Lessen friction on the skin by not rubbing it.