Spotlight on ugly pimples

Photo: iStock

Acne affects young men and women equally.

Relevant offers

Beauty

In my beauty bag: Kathryn Wilson How to banish puffy eyes and dark circles Get bang on trend with a fringe Celebrity beauty no-nos NSW to ban tanning salons Weisz's anti-ageing ads 'misleading' Review: Scarlett & Greene Zit Zapper What's more important, face or fitness? Dianna Agron's gorgeous hair tips Victoria's diet and exercise secrets

Acne occurs when excess skin oils and dead skin cells clog pores, creating whiteheads and blackheads, which sometimes invites bacteria to grow in the pore causing inflamed, red pimples, pustules and cysts.

The face, neck, shoulders, back, chest and buttocks are susceptible.

Acne affects young men and women equally. Over 40% of all adolescents have acne severe enough to need self-treatment, and 60% of those with acne seek medical advice. Acne can damage self-esteem and cause stress, anxiety and frustration.

Infant acne is usually harmless and brief. Adolescents commonly have acne between the ages of 10 and 13 and may suffer for five to 10 years but some may be stuck with it until adulthood. And grown-ups can get it for the first time.

No one knows exactly what triggers it and there is no cure, just ways to reduce the effects. Severe acne can leave scars or slow-to-fade pigment changes.

Contributing factors include heredity – thank your parents – changing hormones at puberty, pregnancy, stress, oily cosmetic and hair products, some medicines and heavy sweating. Chocolate, nuts and dirty skin do not cause acne.

How you deal with acne varies from person to person, depending on how bad it is and how it bothers you psychologically.

Chrissie Evans remembers being a confident Christchurch deputy head girl until acne took over. "I worried about my boyfriends being totally grossed out if they kissed my face. I chose clothes that covered anything that looked like pimples."

Treatment can mean trying products out and finding the right mix of over-the-counter medicated creams, soaps, lotions and gels to help unplug pores. Look for "non-comedogenic" on the label (and benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid) and follow directions carefully.

Remove dirt or make-up before washing your face gently once or twice a day (and after exercise) with gentle soap or acne wash. Don't scrub or pick pimples and avoid excessive or repeated washing. Shampoo your hair daily, especially if it's oily, and tie long hair back to keep it off the face.

A little sun can help but avoid long exposure. Regular exercise, a healthy diet , better sleep, plenty of water and reducing stress can improve skin quality and boost self-esteem. Prescription medicines are often needed to clear up "red" rather than "black and white" acne. They include antibiotics, retinoid (vitamin A-like) drugs, birth control pills for women, or isotretinoin. Some prescription drugs, especially isotretinoin, require care due to side effects.

Chrissie says: "I tried herbal, topical and the strongest drug, which gave me nearly every side effect on the list.

"The pill worked but, when I stopped, more flare ups. In my 30s it's a Catch-22 situation. I take myself off it and I'm full of apprehension. For now it works well and I feel a lot happier."

Treating acne is a slow process so get reliable advice early on. With acne medicines, more is not better, and stop using a product if causes severe irritation.

Barbara Docherty is a registered nurse and clinical lecturer at the University of Auckland School of Nursing. For more information visit www.everybody.co.nz and www.dermnetnz.org

- © Fairfax NZ News