One of the biggest fears of many people suffering from acne is permanent scarring. Unfortunately, many people don’t realize that scarring can be a result of improper skin care. Squeezing or picking at acne can damage the skin tissue around the acne. This can lead to the scarring that is such a concern for many people.

Temporary scars are a possibility as well – they usually take anywhere from six months to three years to fully heal and fade away. This is roughly the same amount of time that is necessary for the removal of “pseudo scars” known as macules. These are the flat reddish spots that often remain after acne inflammation goes down.

Sometimes these inflamed areas are left with a slight discoloration of the skin which can also last for several years in some cases. Exposure to sunlight can make these conditions worse.

Scars develop because of the loss of skin tissue due to acne outbreaks. These scars are often referred to as “ice pick” scars because of their appearance. They’re small, although they can be deep, and the texture can vary.

If the scar tissue is soft enough, it can be stretched to remove the scars but if the tissue is harder it may not be possible to repair it. In these cases, over time the scars can become very firm and unyielding. In most cases the only way to reduce or eliminate these types of scars is through surgery.

Another type of scarring is a result of excess tissue forming around acne lesions. These scars are known as keloids or hypertrophic scars and are most often a result of an increased production of collagen.

There are a number of both cosmetic and dermatological procedures to minimize or eliminate these scars. The most basic is to simply inject additional collagen in the scarred area. This lifts the skin and helps to fill small depressions and softer scars. This form of treatment doesn’t work particularly well for ice pick scars, however.

Before this collagen treatment is attempted, a person need to be tested for allergies. If they’re found to have an allergic reaction to the collagen then alternative methods will need to be considered, such as dermabrasion or microdermabrasion.

It’s dreaded by teenagers everywhere – regardless of their skin color, the language they speak or what social circles they run in. If anything is going to bring the youth of today together in a common cause, it’s the fight against acne.

Teenagers everywhere are constantly on the lookout for effective acne treatments, but just as acne can come in many forms and degrees of severity, there are many different treatments available. The one that will work best for one person won’t necessarily be the best for someone else.

Before you can decide on the best treatment option, it helps to understand what it is that actually causes acne. It’s commonly believed to be caused by poor hygiene, but that isn’t the case. It is actually caused by changes in the body that can’t (and shouldn’t) be stopped.

Teenage acne is often due to hormonal changes in the body that causes excess secretion of oil, which can block pores and trap dirt and moisture. The result is the blackheads and pimples that are so common among teens.

Effective treatments are available for the various forms of acne, and a dermatologist will be able to thoroughly diagnose a particular case and recommend the proper treatment.

If you’ve ever looked at the many acne treatments that are available at any drug store or pharmacy, you’ll probably have seen shelves full of creams, gels and lotions that promise to be the cure to end all acne problems.

These treatments work for some people and not for others, but they are often attempting to treat any and all forms of acne, which just isn’t possible. The most effective treatments will be tailored for a given person’s acne.

Some of these treatments will include azelaic acid creams, benzoyl peroxide or Accutane. They may be in the form of topical creams or lotions. Each of these treatments is best suited to deal with certain types of acne, with varying strengths depending on the severity of the acne.

Many teens spend a lot of time and money trying every possible treatment to get rid of their acne. The trouble is, the treatments are often not dealing with the cause in their particular situation. A visit to a dermatologist is the best way to get a proper diagnosis and treatment plan, customized for a particular case.

In spite of the fact that the scientific knowledge about acne and its causes has progressed in the last few years, there are still many myths that continue to be held as truth.

Here are the top five myths about acne:

1. Acne is a result of poor hygiene

Skin infections are associated with acne, and this may be what has led to this myth. The combination of sebum and dead skin cells that lead to acne actually occurs beneath the skin’s surface, where is can’t be washed away.

2. Eating certain foods will cause acne

It has long been thought that chocolate and greasy foods cause pimples. There is no evidence to prove that this is true. These foods are not very healthy so eating to much of them can cause other health problems, which can aggravate problems with acne.

Some of the foods that do seem to aggravate acne when it is already present include milk and foods with high levels of iodine. Iodine is commonly found in seafood, so it’s a good idea to limit your milk and seafood intake if you’re suffering from acne.

3. Acne has to just run its course

Many people believe the only way to deal with acne is to allow it to run its course. While this may have been true at one time, it isn’t any longer. There are many effective treatments for acne, and if you are dealing with it you should speak to a dermatologist to get more information about treatments that may be effective for you.

4. Acne is only a problem for teens

It’s certainly true that many, if not most, teenagers deal with acne at some point in their teen years, it’s hardly limited to them. Most people’s acne is gone by their early 20’s but plenty of people continue to deal with it into their adult years. In fact, some people experience it for the first time as late as their 40’s.

5. Sunshine will help acne

More exposure to sunlight is not a good way to deal with acne problems. It can have short-term benefits by drying some of the excess oils in the skin, but your skin adapts itself to the change before long and the benefits are lost. And the damage that can be caused by sun, including higher risk of skin cancer, outweigh any benefits you’ll receive.

Are you tired of worrying if your acne is going to act up on you? Whether you’re searching for acne skin care products or natural acne treatments you’ll get answers at www.AcneSquad.com