Whether it is genetics or a combination of factors that cause acne is not totally understood yet. We do know the process that takes place in an acne outbreak but as of now, I have not read about any one factor being the ultimate cause of acne. More studies are needed to finally identify the cause of acne.



One of the common medical and scientific points of view is that acne is a disorder by uncharacteristic desquamation of follicular epithelium that results in the obstruction of the pilosebaceous canal.

The term desquamation is given to skin coming off in scales. The word comes from the Latin word desquamare, meaning to scrape the scales off a fish.

The obstruction of the hair follicles canals can lead to the formation of black heads or white heads, which occur when a hair follicle becomes plugged. These can become inflamed because of overgrowth of bacteria and cause an acne outbreak. Through numerous research and clinical studies, we have been able to establish what can accentuate an acne outbreak. There are many myths about acne. I am not here to discuss these, but rather to give you some tips on how you can help yourself either to prevent an acne outbreak or at least to minimize its length and intensity.

I should really point out that researchers do now agree on the mind/skin relationship. Experts also agree on the following factors: allergies, stress, the use of some drugs, dietary deficiencies, liver dysfunction, exposure to pollutants, use of makeup and the monthly menstrual cycle.

One should always rely on a Dermatologist for help and one should pay attention to the medical diagnosis.

The following are general steps that I took to help myself and that you can do to help yourself.

First and foremost don't be embarrassed about your acne condition. Consult a doctor and confirm with him that the following are good for your particular situation. We are all unique individuals and no particular approach to acne treatment is universal.

The following worked for me and could potentially work for you. It did minimize the outbreak of acne and in some instances even completely stopped the outbreak.

As a basic rule clean your face twice a day. Do it very gently making sure to use a low PH balanced soap or even better use a product which was created for people with acne. If you are not sure of what product to use, ask your pharmacist or your doctor. They will be able to recommend a product that will help you. Use your fingertips to clean your face. Rinse you face thoroughly using a good quantity of water the best way is by splashing the water onto your face. Take your time and rinse thoroughly then pat dry. Avoid rubbing your face with the towel this will only activate the acne.

You must keep your hair clean all the time. Take it easy on your use of hair product as many of these products contain ingredients that will amplify your acne problem. So, take it easy with gels, mousses and hair spray.

This next one seems obvious but I seen people do it so here it goes: Do not pick at your pimples, absolutely, to do not pop them. If you do you will likely increase your problem not to mention scars that might be created by this.

Make sure to use a very good sunscreen when you need to be in direct sunlight. Be careful of the type of oil in the sunscreen. Some types of oil penetrate the skin more the others. Again here, your pharmacist will be in a position to suggest a good sunscreen. There is no evidence that sunlight will cure your acne but there is evidence that skin in general will be damaged by direct sunlight.

We are lucky today because most cosmetic manufacturers are well aware of skin problems and you can easily find products that will not activate your acne. Look for them and use them if you wear makeup. (whether as a fashion statement or as in my case for theater production) The cosmetic products will be identified as not promoting acne problems. These products should not irritate your skin or bring an outbreak of acne.

Very often you can test the product using a sample. Do so on a small area of your face and see how your skin reacts to it. Read the product label or even call their customer service and ask. They will be more then happy to help you.

If you have an acne problem, you should have realized by now that friction can often cause an acne outbreak. Avoid backpacks, helmets, sweatbands, clothing and everything else that will cause friction against your skin.

If for some reason you need to take some medication ask your doctor if this particular medication has received complaints from other users in so far as creating acne outbreaks. The doctor might be able to switch you to another manufacturer that has a medication that took acne problems into consideration.

A final note, you should try to keep all of these ideas in mind even when your acne has cleared as acne could possibly come back if you do not pay close attention to your skin's needs