Whether you suffer from a random pimple or serial breakouts that cause scarring, redness and inflammation, there are common factors that can be addressed to alleviate acne. Acne is a skin disorder that affects an estimated 60 million Americans.

To a large degree, acne is hormonally driven. Breakouts can be frequent and intense when hormones are more abundant in the body such as in teen years, menopause and during pregnancy.

Teens are especially prone to acne and the social taboo that surrounds it. Severe acne can be disfiguring and early treatment by a medical or skincare professional can help alleviate symptoms and prevent scarring.

Other factors that may affect breakouts include medications, stress, genetics, oil-based makeup and environmental factors, according to information from the American Academy of Dermatology, or AAD.

Rare endocrine (hormonal) disorders may also cause acne, usually due to high amounts of male sex hormones such as testosterone. In women, these disorders usually cause male pattern hair loss, excessive face and body hair and irregular menstrual periods in addition to acne.

Whatever the cause, if acne is not responding to treatment it is best to seek the advice of a medical professional to make sure there is not an underlying problem.

Defining Acne
So what, exactly, is acne? Dead skin cells mix with excess oil released from the body to clog hair follicles. These clogged follices are called comedones and commonly occur on the face, neck, back, chest and upper arms.

All of the following skin conditions fall under the broad definition of “Acne:”

• Whitehead - a closed comedone, or follicle, filled with oil and bacteria, commonly called a zit.
• Blackhead - an open comedone, or follicle, that oxidizes the bacteria contained inside.
• Pimple - an infected, inflamed oil gland that is filled with pus.
• Cyst - a closed sac inside tissue that is filled with liquid or a semi-solid substance.

Causes
As mentioned, acne is generally brought about by hormones, genetics and stress.

Despite wives’ tales to the contrary, sugary or greasy foods do not cause acne, said Izabela Kobobel, who owns and manages Laser Skin Rejuvenation in Rockledge. Her husband, Jasen Kobobel, is a physician who consults with each client before treatment is prescribed.

While food long has been suspected to cause acne, research has shown that it’s not the particular food but how the body metabolizes food and sends signals to create oil in the body that triggers acne.

Further, research is bearing out that foods containing hormones can spike acne flare-ups. For example, non-organic milk has been linked as a possible irritant of acne due to the growth hormones given to the cows that produce the milk.

A sensible diet, heavy in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and minimally-processed foods could help minimize or diminish acne.

Cleansing
Proper cleansing is one effective way to clear out the bacteria that causes acne in the skin.

“We treat acne in people of all ages, at different stages and we avoid antibiotics whenever possible, instead treating the condition and educating our clients on proper cleansing and maintenance of their skin,” Izabela Kobobel said.

For people who do not suffer from acne, the face and neck should be thoroughly cleansed each day - using a mild cleanser and tepid (lukewarm) water, according to the AAD.

For people with mild acne, a cleanser with salicylic acid will help unclog pores and is readily available in over the counter formulas at drug and grocery stores. The skin should be lightly caressed when applying cleansers and washing.

“Many people think if they rub their skin vigorously, they can ‘wash’ away the acne, and that is not true. In fact, vigorous rubbing can make acne worse by stimulating more oil to be produced, which will cause more acne,” she said.

Spot treatments with benzoyl peroxide also can help “zap” the bacteria that cause zits.

Also, picking, scratching, popping or squeezing pimples could result in more redness, inflammation and scarring, so it’s best to let a medical or skincare professional determine how best to alleviate your skin conditions.

Treatments
Topical or oral antibiotics may be prescribed by dermatologists to treat acne in combination with other topicals such as retinoids or benzoyl peroxide. Antibiotics and topical benzoyl peroxide can help with the inflammatory and bacterial components of acne, while retinoids help dissolve the plugged follicles.

To address acne, Izabela Kobobel said laser applications - such as pulsed light systems which direct light shafts to erode acne-causing bacteria - help shrink skin pores, tighten skin and diminish scarring.

Combination therapy, which uses chemical facial peels, laser therapy and micro-dermabrasion to slough off the top layers of skin, works well for people with mild to serious acne, she said.

Other options outlined by the AAD include:

Acne comedone extraction - Performed by a dermatologist to remove blackheads and whiteheads.

Corticosteroid injections - Used to treat large red bumps, or nodules, which may alleviate swelling and help reduce redness and swelling more quickly.

Birth control pills - Have shown to significantly reduce acne and have been prescribed to young women as treatment for acne. This method works because birth control pills contain specific amounts of hormones, which can help regulate overproduction of oil in the body caused by irregular or overactive hormone activity.

To find more information about acne visit the American Academy of Dermatology, online at www.aad.org. For more information on the Laser Skin Rejuvenation Center, call (321) 690-3336.