Causes and Treatment for Acne Vulgaris

Acne Vulgaris (or simply acne) is a skin condition in which the hair follicles are clogged by dead skin cells and oils. Those with acne commonly have blackheads, whiteheads, and pimples. If not treated properly, acne may result in scars, and it more commonly occurs in people with excessively oily skin. The pimples may lead to irritation and itching of the skin, as also skin inflammation and pain.

Acne vulgaris mostly affects the face and may be seen on the chest and the back. It hampers the appearance of an individual and thus leads to low confidence. People with acne vulgaris may tend to avoid social gatherings with the fear of embarrassment. Acne can even lead to stress and depression. Thus, it is important to seek immediate treatment for this skin condition. Here, we will look at the causes and treatment for acne vulgaris.

Causes of Acne

• The most common cause of acne is genetic and it is an inheritable skin condition.
• The other primary cause of acne is hormonal imbalance. Changing hormone levels during puberty are an important reason why acne is more common in teenagers.
• Exposure to sunlight is also linked with acne.
• Pollutants and harsh chemicals in makeup and skincare products may increase the severity of acne.
• Stress is said to worsen acne.

Protecting the skin from sun damage and pollution, ensuring that the skin’s pores don’t get clogged, and following a good skincare routine can help prevent acne outbreaks to a certain extent. Daily exercise and a balanced diet also help in keeping acne and various other skin problems at bay. However, those with acne have to take a treatment that best suits their skin type. Here’s information about the best treatment of acne vulgaris.

Treatment for Acne Vulgaris

Treatments of acne vulgaris work in different ways. They reduce inflammation, help restore hormonal balance, kill C.acnes or control the sebum generated in the pores, thus helping in preventing blockage.

• Acne vulgaris treatments range from topical and oral medicines to laser or light therapy.
• Benzoyl peroxide is often used as the first line of treatment for acne. It kills C.acnes and also helps reduce inflammation.
• Retinoids work to reduce inflammation and also sebum levels, thus preventing blockage of pores. They may be used topically or orally for treating acne vulgaris, and are more commonly prescribed to patients with dark skin colour; however, they should be used under the guidance of a dermatologist to avoid any skin irritation. 
• Antibiotics, in oral and topical form, are another effective treatment for acne vulgaris. They kill C.acnes and reduce inflammation.
• Antiandrogens are a good way to treat acne vulgaris in women. They help reduce the levels of androgen hormones, effectively leading to lower levels of sebum. Combined birth control pills may also be used to fight acne.
• Medical procedures for treating acne vulgaris include light therapy, dermabrasion, micro-needling, chemical peels, and subcision.
• In light therapy, the light of certain wavelengths is used on the affected area.
• Dermabrasion is used to improve the appearance of acne scars. Micro-needling also aims to improve acne scars by stimulating the generation of collagen. Similarly, subcision works well on superficial atrophic acne scars.
• Chemical peels are used to treat acne scars and also fight pigmentation caused by acne.

• Certain over-the-counter creams are sold as good treatments for acne. Some makeup products can help in concealing acne.
• Tea tree oil, green tea, honey and cinnamon face mask, apple cider vinegar, and aloe vera are touted as some effective home remedies to treat acne vulgaris.

However, it is best to get your skin condition diagnosed from an expert in the field and it is necessary to consult a dermatologist before opting for any treatment for acne vulgaris. If you are seeking acne treatment, approach ClearSkin. Their experienced dermatologists will give you the best treatment of acne vulgaris and help you get healthy glowing skin.