Acne: stages, solutions, natural remedies

Acne: stages, solutions, natural remedies

Acne is a skin disease that mainly affects adolescents, but sometimes also infants and adults (especially women). Characterized by an excess of sebum, it leads to the formation of pimples (blackheads, white pimples ...). What to do to get rid of it?

Definition of acne

"Acne designates inflammatory (" pimples ") and / or retentional lesions of the pilosebaceous follicle (" blackheads "," microcysts ") which most often occur in adolescence and which are linked to hyperseborrhea ("oily skin") ", explains Doctor Sandra Ly, dermatologist and venereologist, member of the French Society of Dermatology (SFD).

• What is sebum?

Sebum is the oily film secreted naturally by the skin or the scalp. Its role is to maintain the hydration of the epidermis: it enters into the composition of the hydrolipidic film of the skin. It protects the skin and hair from drying out and external aggressions, while maintaining their suppleness. When it is produced in excess, it is the cause of oily skin, acne pimples or oily hair. In case of lack, it is responsible for dry skin and brittle hair.

Adult acne

If some adults (over 25) have acne, it is mainly teenage acne that persists into adulthood. "It can present as teenage acne or more specifically affect the lower face (chin and mandibles) and the lateral sides of the neck."

Woman acne after 25 years

It is most often predominant on the lower face (chin, jaws ...). If it is accompanied by signs such as menstrual disturbances, an increase in the hairiness of the chin or beard, hair loss ... it requires a hormonal balance. It is often aggravated by the use of comedogenic or fatty cosmetics or the taking of contraceptives containing substances which may have a hormonal role. In all cases, it requires a careful assessment and appropriate treatment.

Adolescent acne

It is the most common form since it affects around 80% of adolescents. It generally begins at the beginning of adolescence (12 years) with retentional lesions (blackheads and microcysts), then with red buttons. It can last throughout adolescence, or even continue beyond. It causes a risk of scarring when it is severe (presence of red nodules, large cysts ...).

Infant acne
Infant acne affects approximately 20% of newborns. It is characterized by small pimples appearing on the baby's face, usually between birth and two months. This benign condition is due to a significant production of sebum: at the end of pregnancy, the greater intake of hormones from the mother has the effect of strongly stimulating the sebaceous glands. Pimples, most often located on the cheeks and forehead, are intended to disappear on their own. It is enough to clean daily the skin of the infant with water and especially not to try to pierce the buttons.

Hormonal acne
When we talk about acne, we sometimes mean hormonal acne because this pathology is linked to hyperseborrhea, that is to say an excess of sebum. "The sebum is secreted by the sebaceous glands of the skin and this secretion is stimulated mainly, but not only, by androgens, and especially testosterone which is the male hormone." Not to mention that some women have acne that worsens at the time of ovulation or menstruation, which again speaks of hormonal acne. Finally, some women develop acne when they are pregnant, especially during the first trimester of pregnancy.

Retentional or inflammatory acne?
There are two types of acne. Retentional acne where comedones and microcysts are the predominant lesions while papulopustular lesions are more rare. As for inflammatory acne, it presents a predominance of inflammatory papulopustular or nodular lesions, that is to say red and sometimes pustular.

 Acne or rosacea?
Be careful not to confuse acne and rosacea: This skin disease which causes redness, blotchiness and even skin lesions, is in fact not linked to hyperseborrhea.

3 criteria define the severity of facial acne
The severity of facial acne is defined according to three criteria:

the area reached,
the number of lesions,
and the type of lesions.
"Acne is described as" severe "(grade 4) when the entire face is covered with numerous papulo-pustules (pimples) and open comedones (blackheads) or closed (microcysts). Acne is described as" very severe " (grade 5) when it is very inflammatory covering the face with nodules. Severe acne is also acne which leaves scars and / or which affects the quality of life of the patient (s). "

SYMPTOMS
Pimples and blackheads due to acne can appear on the face (chin, nose, forehead, or cheeks) but also on the back. In fact, acne "affects areas rich in sebaceous glands but it is not known why it is distributed differently depending on the individual," says Dr. Ly.

causes
Hormones are one of the leading causes of acne in adolescents, but also sometimes in adult women. At puberty, the hormonal surge causes an overproduction of sebum which clogs the pores of the skin. In women, hormonal fluctuations before their menstrual period can lead to acne breakouts. If the main factor is hyperseborrhea, it can also be triggered by other factors such as stress, an unbalanced diet rich in sugars or fats, nicotine ... "Acne is a benign inflammatory dermatosis of multi origin -factorielle. "

"Acne must be treated effectively and quickly"

Diagnostic
Common juvenile acne does not require further examination. On the other hand, in the presence of acne in an adult woman, a blood test and sometimes an ultrasound of the ovaries can be useful to determine the causes of an excessive secretion of male hormones. It is the dermatologist who will be most able to prescribe a suitable treatment to reduce or even stop your acne.

Treatment
Acne must be the subject of a local treatment which is accompanied by a daily cleaning of the acneic skin with non-aggressive products suitable for oily skin.
Then there are two main groups of treatments to combat acne: local treatments and general swallowing treatments. These two types of treatment, which are adapted to the severity of acne, can be combined because they are complementary.
For mild acne, the dermatologist may prescribe "a local treatment, mainly benzoyl peroxide +/- topical retinoid".

For moderate to severe acne, "a course of 3 months of antibiotic (doxycycline) and local treatment (benzoyl peroxide and topical retinoid)".

For severe to very severe acne, "a course of 3 months of antibiotic (doxycycline) and local treatment (benzoyl peroxide and topical retinoid) or oral isotretinoin (Curacne ©, ex-Roaccutane ©) requiring compulsory contraception in women of childbearing age ", lists Dr Ly, who adds:" In all cases, adherence to treatment is essential and appropriate cosmetic support is essential. "

Touching pimples increases inflammation and spreads germs
Gestures and products to avoid
To prevent the situation from getting worse, do not touch your pimples or blackheads, it could mark or infect your skin (touching the pimples increases the risk of inflammation, spreads germs and aggravates post-pimple marks). Do not try to "strip" your skin at all costs with lotions or scrubs, this would only boost the production of sebum more beautifully, and do not choose too oily products, such as cleansing milks very rich which will tend to overgrow your epidermis. Very covering foundations are also not recommended because they can promote the appearance of pimples by suffocating the skin. Finally, watch out for the sun which is a false friend: it first dries the pimples, but after returning from vacation, the production of sebum accelerates.

Natural treatments and remedies
Cleanse the skin: In case of excess sebum, use mild soaps, with neutral pH, to cleanse your skin morning and evening.

Moisturize: Once the skin is cleansed, it is advisable to apply, in the morning, a matifying day cream to absorb excess sebum, and in the evening, a non-oily fluid with purifying and purifying properties (there are BB creams tinted for example which are suitable for acne-prone skin and make it possible to mask the defects without suffocating the pores).

Gently erase: Once a week make an exfoliation to lighten your complexion and then apply a soft absorbent mask (clay or kaolin for example).

Natural remedies for acne
Localized on the face, neck and back, acne is a skin disease characterized by small red pimples, blackheads and cysts. How to get around it naturally? List of miracle cures.

Remove scars
"The best way to avoid acne scars is to treat acne quickly and effectively, especially if it is severe," says Dr. Ly. In addition to the treatment, the skin must be protected from the sun in order to limit pigmented marks. If scars appear, however, they can be reduced by various means such as peeling and laser, "which is offered at a distance from the treatment of acne".

Prevent acne
If it is not possible to prevent 100% the appearance of acne, Dr. Ly recommends, however, to adopt a few gestures easy to implement daily to prevent as much as possible its appearance. Thus, it is recommended to adopt a healthy lifestyle, to have a balanced diet and not to smoke. Without forgetting "gentle skin hygiene and suitable, non-comedogenic cosmetics". Other factors can trigger or worsen acne. It may be the occlusive effect of a helmet or cap, exposure to the sun that causes only transient improvement, or manipulation of the buttons.