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| ACNE | | You’ve been anticipating—and possibly dreading—the “big day” for weeks. The nature of the event isn’t important; it may be a first date, an important job interview, or your own birthday party. You try to hide behind hair, heavy make-up, or a hat, but you can’t ignore the face in the mirror. Sound familiar? For acne sufferers all over the world these scenarios are all too common. Even routine social interactions—a day at school, a trip to the market, can be a nightmare of stress and self-loathing. Yet, due to the cosmetic nature of acne vulgaris, these very real emotions are widely dismissed as over sensitivity. Clear faced friends and co-workers say, “It really looks worse to you”, and they are probably right, but they are missing an important point: Acne is as much about how you feel as how you look.
Over the years, the research methods and medical treatments have changed, but the answers to the question, “how does your acne make you feel?” have remained alarmingly constant: Ugly, Angry, Dirty, Depressed. These answers are consistent across gender lines, age barriers and national borders.
Why me?
There is no one simple "cause" of acne — the condition is influenced by many factors, many which are out of your control. The regularity with which you shed skin cells can change throughout your life. The rate at which you produce sebum is affected by your hormone balance, which is often in flux — especially for women. Research has also shown that genetics play a big part in the development and persistence of acne, so your family history is a valuable prediction tool as well when considering the various causes of acne.
One of the best weapons in the fight against acne, however, is knowledge; if you know what causes acne, it's easier to formulate a good plan of attack. There are seven primary culprits contributing to this process.
- Hormones
- Extra Sebum
- Follicle Fallout
- Bacteria
- Inflammation
- Stress
- Diet
Each of these factors may vary dramatically between individuals. While you don't have control over these factors, understanding them can help you in your search for the proper acne treatment.
What can I do?
Fortunately, you have options! There are many kinds of acne treatments available today, but first, you should try to determine the type and severity of your condition. That’s where we can help. Acne, like a person, is highly individual — it can take many forms, and have a highly variable response to treatment. The more we know about your specific form of acne, the more we are able to help you find a treatment plan that works for you. | |
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