There are many acne removal remedies available online and offline. Some can also be performed at home; others require the recommendations of your medical practitioner and/or the services of a dermatologist.

In any case, before taking any action it is best to first understand what acne is, who is prone to suffer from it and what are the solutions available for its removal.

For those who are concerned about this skin disease, I have done some research, interviewed several skin specialists and combined all my findings into this blog post. I hope that you will find it interesting and useful.

Of course, your comments and input will be of most importance to my readers; so do not hesitate to scroll down the page to share your views, experience and suggestions in the comments’ section.

Acne Removal – What is on Offer?

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

Summary:

1. Definition of acne
2. Definition of sebum
3. Adult acne
4. Acne in women
5. Adolescent acne
6. Infant acne
7. Hormonal acne
8. Retentional or inflammatory acne?
9. Acne or rosacea?
10. Stages of acne severity
11. Symptoms
12. Causes
13. Diagnostic
14. Treatments
15. Actions and products to avoid
16. Care for acne-prone skin
17. Make the scars disappear
18. How not to have acne

1. Definition of Acne

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

2. What is Sebum?

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Sebum is the oily film naturally secreted by the skin or 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 from external agressions, while maintaining their flexibility. When there is an excess in production, 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.

3. Adult Acne

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While some adults (over 25) have acne, it is mostly adolescent acne that persists into adulthood. “It can present as adolescent acne or more specifically affect the lower face (chin and mandibles) and the lateral sides of the neck.”

Acne in adults: cause, diet, treatments

Far from being a case for adolescents, acne also affects adults and in particular women. What is it due to? But, how to treat it? All will be revealed as you read on.

4. Acne in Women After 25 Years

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Late-onset acne (after 25 years of age) is most often predominant on the lower face (chin, jaws, etc.). If it is accompanied by signs such as menstruation disorders, an increase in chin or beard hair, hair loss … it may also require a hormonal assessment.

It is often aggravated by the use of comedogenic or fatty cosmetics or by taking contraceptives containing substances that may have a hormonal role. In all cases, it requires careful assessment and appropriate treatment.

Late-onset acne in women: causes, what to do?

Acne isn’t just for puberty and teenagers. Adults can also get pimples: this is what we call late acne. Why ? What to do ? What solutions to overcome or relieve an acne breakout?

5. Adolescent Acne

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This is the most common form since it affects around 80% of adolescents. It usually begins at the beginning of adolescence (12 years of age) with retentional lesions (blackheads and microcysts), then with red spots.

This can last throughout adolescence; or even continue beyond. It causes a risk of scarring when it is severe (presence of red nodules, large cysts, etc.).

6. Infant Acne

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Infant acne affects about 20% of newborns. It appears as small pimples appearing on the baby’s face, usually between birth and two months old.

This benign condition is due to a significant production of sebum: at the end of pregnancy, the mother’s more important hormone intake has the effect of strongly stimulating the sebaceous glands.

Pimples, most often located on the cheeks and forehead, are meant to go away on their own. It is enough to clean the skin of the infant daily with water. And by all means, it is not wise to try to pierce the pimples.

7. Hormonal Acne

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When we talk about acne, we sometimes mean hormonal acne because this pathology has a link with 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 is again talking about hormonal acne.

Finally, some women develop acne when they are pregnant, especially during the first trimester of pregnancy.

8. Retentional or Inflammatory Acne?

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There are two types of acne. Retentional acne where comedones and microcysts are the predominant lesions while papulopustular lesions are rarer.

As for inflammatory acne, it presents a predominance of inflammatory papulo-pustular or nodular lesions, that is to say red and sometimes pustular.

9. Acne or Rosacea?

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

10. Criteria That Define the Severity of Facial Acne …

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

• the affected area,
• the number of lesions,
• and the type of lesions.

Acne is qualified as “severe” (grade 4) when the whole face is covered with numerous papulo-pustules (pimples) and open comedones (blackheads) or closed (microcysts).

Acne is qualified 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 impairs the quality of life of patients.

11. Symptoms

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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 we do not know why it is distributed differently in different individuals”, explains Dr Ly.

12. Causes

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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 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-factorial origin. We must treat acne effectively and quickly.

13. Diagnostic

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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 excessive secretion of male hormones.

It is the dermatologist who will be best able to prescribe a suitable treatment to reduce, or even stop, your acne.

14. Treatment – Acne Removal

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• Acne should be treated locally, accompanied by daily cleansing of acne-prone skin with non-aggressive products suitable for oily skin.

• Then, there are two main groups of treatments to fight against acne: local treatments and general swallowing treatments. These two types of treatments, which are adapted to the severity of the acne, can be combined because they are complementary.

For mild acne, the dermatologist may prescribe “a local treatment, mainly benzoyl peroxide +/- topical retinoid”.

In the case of moderate to severe acne, “a 3-month course of antibiotic (doxycycline) and topical treatment (benzoyl peroxide and topical retinoid)”.

For severe to very severe acne, “a 3-month course of antibiotics (doxycycline) and topical treatment (benzoyl peroxide and topical retinoid) or oral isotretinoin requiring compulsory contraception in women of childbearing age”, lists Dr Ly, who adds:

In all cases, compliance with treatment is essential and appropriate cosmetic support is essential.

Touching pimples increases inflammation and spreads germs.

15. Actions and Products to Avoid

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To prevent the situation from getting worse, do not touch your pimples or blackheads, it could mark or infect your skin (touching pimples increases the risk of inflammation, spreads germs and makes post-pimple marks worse).

Do not try to “rub off” your skin at all costs with lotions or scrubs, this will only boost the production of sebum even more, and do not choose products that are too greasy, such as very rich cleansing milks which will tend to over-grease your skin.

Very covering foundations are also not recommended because they can promote the appearance of pimples by suffocating the skin.

Finally, beware of the sun, which is a false friend: it dries up the pimples first, but when you return from vacation, the production of sebum accelerates.

16. Care for Acne-prone Skin

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

Moisturize: Once the skin is cleansed, it is advisable to apply, in the morning, a mattifying day cream to absorb excess sebum, and in the evening, a non-greasy fluid with cleansing and purifying properties (there are tinted BB creams , for example, which are suitable for acne-prone skin and allow blemishes to be masked without choking pores).

Gently exfoliate: Once a week make a scrub to brighten your complexion and then apply a gentle absorbent mask (clay or kaolin for example).

17. Make the Scars Disappear

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The best way to avoid acne scars is to treat acne effectively and quickly, especially if it is severe.

Dr. Ly advocates.

In addition to the treatment, the skin must be protected from the sun in order to limit the pigmented marks.

If scars do appear, however, they can be reduced by various means such as peels and lasers.

Acne scars: cream, laser, peel, how to remove them?

Acne is a skin disease that particularly affects adolescents but can last, or appear in adulthood. Updates on the different types of acne responsible for scars and the solutions to reduce them are available. Your dermatologist will be the person to contact for that.

18. How to Prevent Acne

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If it is not possible to prevent 100% the appearance of acne, Dr. Ly recommends however to adopt a few actions easy to implement on a daily basis to prevent its appearance as much as possible.

Thus, it is recommended to adopt a healthy lifestyle, to have a balanced diet and not to smoke.

Not to mention “gentle skin hygiene and suitable, non-comedogenic cosmetics”. Other factors can trigger or worsen acne. This could be the occlusive effect of a helmet or cap, exposure to the sun that causes only transient improvement, or manipulation of pimples.

How to Get Rid of Your Acne Forever? Here are Plenty of Solutions! #acne #skincare RT Click To Tweet

Thank you to Doctor Sandra Ly, dermatologist and venereologist, member of the French Society of Dermatology (SFD).

DISCLAIMER

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Please note that any advice, guidance or instruction that I provide here should not be a substitute for medical advice. And this is valid for any of my articles, reports and product reviews.

Ensure you visit your physician if you are using any medication or if you are skeptic following the advice offered.

Also, note that results may vary among individuals. All media content used in this post are for illustration purposes alone.

John – Owner of “Natural Health Remedies For Everyone”

Thanks for Reading this Acne Removal Guide.

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