Mostly all men and women at a young age get few pimples of their lives, but it affects men and women differently. Young men are more likely to have a more serious form of acne. And in young women, it tends to be more random and are associated with hormone changes, such as the menstrual cycle.

Acne in women gets better with growing age but some women can get acne at late ages also. Some women even get them for the first time at age 30 or 40.

Women with acne may have feelings of depression, poor body image, or low self-esteem. But you don’t have to wait to outgrow acne or to let it run its course. Nowadays all kinds of acne have the treatment and mild forms can be prevented as well.

What is the difference between acne and pimple?

• Papules: These (whiteheads or blackheads) are the basic acne, which is a plugged pore with access oil, dead skin cells or dirt.
• Pustules or pimples. Pus and blood-filled acne are called pustules.
• Nodules & Cysts. Nodules are more serious kinds of acne like acne vulgaris that lodge deeper in the skin and are painful. These can disfigure and leave scars on the skin.

Causes

Most acne occurs on the face, neck, upper chest and upper back because these areas of the skin have the most oil glands. Here are the factors that add up to cause acne:

1. Excessive oil production
2. Clogged hair follicles
3. Bacteria
4. Inflammation

The skin wall can bulge out to form whiteheads or blackheads. It looks like dust is trapped inside the pore but in reality, the pore is congested with oil and bacteria.

What worsen acne in women

• Hormonal changes in puberty, girls have an increase of male sex hormones called androgen. Androgen increase causes the glands to get larger and make more sebum.
• The menstrual cycle is one of the most common acne triggers. Acne tends to form a few days before the menstrual cycle begins and go away after the cycle is completed.
• Pregnancy and menopause improve acne in some women. But some women have worse acne during these times.
• Certain medicines, such as Oral Contraceptives, antiepilepsy and anti-depression drugs can cause acne formation.
• Low-quality make-up products can cause acne/pimples.
• Genetics play a good role in having acne. If your other family members have acne then you have high possibilities to develop acne.

It consists of whiteheads or blackheads and can be treated at home with some small efforts, like washing the face twice a day with warm water and a gentle cleanser or soap. You can apply some over the counter available creams or lotions like

• Benzoyl peroxide*
• Differin gel*
• Salicylic acid*

Acne in moderate form may require a consultation with a physician as they might take a longer time to treat with home remedies. It can be treated with antibiotic lotions or gels, as well as retinoic acid.

Your dermatologist or a physician will recommend you a treatment regime based on your age and causing factor. It can be a combination of oral and topical treatment. In case of severe acne, you have to be very patient with the results as it may take a minimum of 4 weeks to see a positive outcome. Commonly treatment for nodular or severe acne includes:

1. Anti-androgen agents
2. Antibiotics
3. Birth control pills
4. Isotretinoin

In the worst case, your dermatologist may like to recommend advanced therapies with a combination of oral medication. Therapies for acne include:

• Chemical peeling
• Light therapy

1. Clean your skin gently with a mild soap or cleanser twice a day.
2. Avoid touching your face again and again
3. Avoid picking up your pimples
4. Wash your hair regularly. If your hair is oily, you may want to wash it more often.
5. Use sunscreen of at least SPF 20.
6. Use oil-free products and non-toxic cosmetic products.
7. Use a Sandalwood Face pack to lighten the scars.
8. Eat a balanced diet and avoid dairy products.
9. Avoid anxiety and stress
10. Wash hands frequently so that additional bacteria can not come over

Acne is a chronic condition but treatable. Stay positive and hopeful for the new skin especially when negative thoughts strike.