Acne Blemish Treatment – Get Rid of Acne Blemishes Today

Pimples are unsightly, unpleasant, and, worst of all, all but unavoidable; everybody gets them, nobody wants them. Acne blemishes are embarrassing and can even cause physical discomfort. Fortunately, you don’t have to leave with acne. There are a number of effective acne blemish treatments to help prevent and maintain acne breakouts.

What are Acne Blemishes and What Causes Them?

Common acne (acne vulgaris) occurs when hair follicles in the skin, usually on the face, shoulders, back, and chest, become clogged. Contrary to popular misconception, acne is not caused by bacteria. The real culprit is the sebaceous glands connected to the hair follicles. These glands produce oil called sebum which protects and lubricates the skin. If a follicle becomes clogged, due to skin cell growth, cosmetics, or other agent, this sebum will build up beneath the skin. As the area swells, small rips between skin cells can allow bacteria and other irritants to reach the lower layers of skin. The irritated area may then become inflamed (i.e. turn red and swell up).

There are a number of factors that can contribute to breakouts of acne blemishes. Prolonged pressure on the skin, such as from wearing a hat, helmet, or tight collar can cause follicles to become clogged. Makeup can also clog hair follicles. Exposing your skin to oil (be sure to wash your face, fry cook!) can also contribute to clogged follicles. Some medications are also known to exacerbate acne breakouts.

Types of Acne Blemishes

Depending on several factors, acne blemishes can present in a number of ways. If the inflammation takes place on the surface of the skin a pustule will form. A papule, or pimple, is formed when the inflammation occurs just beneath the surface of the skin. If the inflammation takes place at a site deep within the skin, a cyst is formed.

Most people are familiar with the terms “whitehead” and “blackhead”, but there is a lot of false “common knowledge” about what causes these acne blemishes. For instance, “blackheads” do not result from having a dirty face. A “whitehead” is formed when sebum seeps through the clogged area and forms a nodule at the surface. If melanin (skin pigmentation) collects in the sebum, or if the oil oxidizes from exposure to air, the oil will turn black, causing a “blackhead”.

Treatment Options

You should begin acne treatment as soon as you experience your first breakout or whenever blemishes begin to interfere with your personal happiness and wellbeing. There are several effective treatment options, some that can be done at home and some that require seeing a dermatologist. The most important thing to remember is that picking at it will only prolong the inflammation and can cause scaring.

Cleaning your skin is important to reducing acne breakouts and preventing future breakouts. Wash your face once or twice daily with a mild facial cleanser. Exfoliating cleansers and facial masques can also help keep your follicles clean. Retinol, available over the counter, helps promote healthy shedding of skin cells (which often clog pores). Use antibiotic cleansers to help control bacteria on the skin that can cause irritation. If acne trouble persists, over-the-counter acne medications can often reduce the appearance of acne blemishes.

More severe cases of acne may require the intervention of a dermatologist. A dermatologist can prescribe a number of treatments and medications to eliminate acne breakouts. Antibiotics (oral and topical) can help limit inflammation and retinoids can help unclog pores. A dermatologist may also prescribe cortisone injections or medications like Isotretinoin to combat acne. A dermatologist can discuss with you the many effective acne blemish treatment options available today. If you have experienced scarring from acne, he or she may also want to discuss the possibility of corrective treatments to minimize the appearance of permanent scars.

Everyone gets acne blemishes at some point, but nobody has to live with them. There are many acne blemish treatments available, many that do not require a prescription, that are proven to reduce the appearance of acne blemishes and to prevent the recurrence of breakouts. It is never too late to start treating your acne problems. It is your skin; you have to live in it, so take good care of it.