Surviving Teenage (and Adulthood) Skin Woes - By: Pailamod Paila

Pimples are the bane of teenagers, and some adults whose hormonal changes continue to affect their skins. While often laughed at, pimples are definitely no laughing matter. They can be distressing and persistent much to the consternation of the pimply kid who is often made fun of. Not a few adults dare look back at the heartaches and embarrassment they went through in their bout with pimples. Yet, pimples, or acne, remain to be a major dermatologic concern for which medical care is not required but desired.

Pimples, zits or acne are skin lesions that appear intermittently and heal slowly sometimes even causing scars. Acne forms when hair follicles are blocked with oil and dead skin cells. When excessive oil is produced by the sebaceous glands to which these follicles are connected, the combination of dead skin cells and oil form a plug in the skin pore causing a buldge to form. When the bulge just presses against the follicle wall, it is called a whitehead, while if it pushes out into the surface, it turns into a blackhead. Pimples form when the blocked hair follicles become inflamed and infected, thus the redness in appearance. Hormones, bacteria, and genetics are pinpointed influences to the production of excess oil by the sebaceous gland. And so, these are the targets of medical care and treatment that are available today to alleviate pimple formation.

It can take years and years to treat acne successfully depending on the extent of the pimple problem and existing skin damage of recurring pimple problems. Medical care can range from mild self-care regimens, to prescription medications, and dermatologic surgery. Common medical care recommendations for the treatment of acne include:

1. Topical treatments that are sold over-the-counter as acne medication. These treatments come in lotion or cream forms that are formulated to reduce oil production, kill bacteria and promote shedding of dead skin cells. Usually, these treatments contain some amounts of benzoyl peroxide, sulphur, resorcinol, salicylic acid or lactic acid. Stronger topical treatments containing tretinoin and adapalene may be prescribed by a dermatologist for more persistent acne.

2. Oral acne medication can be prescribed by a doctor for the cure of pimples. Antibiotics may be given to reduce bacteria and inflammation over a certain period of time. More potent medication such as isotretinoin may also be prescribed for severe cases like scarring cystic acne. Isotretinoin, however, can present side effects in women of reproductive age.

3. Oral contraceptives or birth control pills are effective in regulating hormones as well as the appearance of pimples. Combination pills of norgestimate and ethinyl estradiol can be prescribed for the treatment of pimples, although, these pills should not be taken without medical supervision.

4. Cosmetic and laser procedures can also be done in extreme cases of pimples. Laser light therapies are able to reach deep into the skin's inner layers to damage the sebaceous glands and stop them from producing excess oil. Cosmetic procedures like chemical peels and dermabrasions can be used with other acne treatments to control the appearance of acne.

There are a host of options in getting medical care for acne. An informed decision is best made under the guidance of a qualified medical practitioner or a dermatologist. The worst thing anyone can do to treat acne is to take acne medication on the basis of unfounded claims and advertising.

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