Acne is treatable

About seven out of ten teens suffer from red pimples, blackheads, and some other acne-like skin blemishes.

“Acne is a disease that is completely treatable, but you have to be patient, as it often takes weeks before any noticeable improvement is seen,” says Lotus Engelen, vice president of the Berlin-based Federal Chamber of Pharmacists.

Over-the-counter liquid preparations can help treat mild cases of acne. In serious cases, a dermatologist may prescribe topical or oral medications to the patient.

Proper treatment of acne not only works to prevent scars, but also prevents its psychological damage, as adolescents with acne “at its worst” often suffer from being avoided by their peers, or find it difficult to get a good job.

Among the forms in which acne appears are blackheads and red pimples that appear on the skin.

Blackheads, which are medically known as “open comedones,” occur when the pores of the hair follicles become filled with an oily substance called “sebum,” which is a greasy substance secreted by the sebaceous glands to which all follicles and dead skin cells are connected.

Blackheads appear in the form of dark spots on the skin, while whiteheads form “closed comedones” under the surface of the skin. The red blisters are formed when these heads become inflamed.

Doctors warn that “emptying” blackheads or red pimples in the wrong way worsens the appearance of the face, while cleaning the skin in a professional manner and on a regular basis helps to prevent scars caused by acne.

Over-the-counter liquid preparations containing benzoyl peroxide are often used to treat acne.

The Federal Chamber of Pharmacists says that these lotions help remove dead skin cells, and allow sebum to flow again without any obstacles.

These preparations, which are removed from the skin or those that are left on it, must be applied to all affected areas of the skin, not only to pimples and blackheads.

However, care should be taken when using these preparations, as the “benzoyl peroxide” works to remove the colors of the fabrics, so a white towel or sheet should be used during the treatment to avoid stains.

And in the event that no improvement appears on the skin after several weeks of daily treatment, the dermatologist can then prescribe other medications, whether they are topical or taken orally.

Any acne treatment is based on skin care in accordance with the patient’s skin type. Skin care products should limit excessive sebum production without irritating the skin too much.

People with acne need to clean their skin with a gel or neutral cleanser that does not affect the pH.

However, beware of using a face wash that contains a large percentage of alcohol, as it has a strong effect in removing fat, to the extent that it can increase the rate of sebum secretion.

It is recommended to resort to chemical peeling in cases of mild acne, as it works to lighten the clogged pores. As for people who suffer from a large number of pimples, they should avoid peeling, because scratching the skin will spread the pimples that contain pus. “dpa”