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Men and Acne

Many people consider acne to be a teenage problem. If they even consider it to be an adult issue, they often associate it with women and "that time of the month" or pregnancy. However, many adult men have problems with acne as well. Here is a look at acne and how it affects men.

If you talk to your dermatologist, you will find out that a hormonal disorder causes your acne skin problems. Basically, you have a high level of androgens. These androgens tell the oil glands to make more oil than they really need, and when these become clogged they turn into pimples.

Generally speaking, there are two kinds of pimples - blackheads and whiteheads. Blackheads are caused by a blockage of the hair canal, while whiteheads are a blockage of the sebaceous follicle, resulting in a white tip.

If you are using a soap or moisturizer on your face, you should know that these can affect your acne. If you are suffering from acne, you should look into a gentle cleanser designed for oil skin. Do not wash excessively or scrub, since this will irritate your skin and dry it out. For a moisturizer, you want to look for something that is oil-free and will not clog pores.

Shaving alone does not cause acne, so you do not have to start growing a beard. However, a dull blade or some shaving creams can irritate your skin. Always use a sharp blade, and look for higher-quality shaving creams.

While about seven out of ten teenagers outgrow their acne problems by adulthood, about 30% of teenagers with acne problems will continue to have them into adulthood. In the United States, approximately 17 million adults have acne, and about a quarter of this amount are men.

If you have the occasional stressful day at work or home, it is probably not affecting your acne. On the other hand, if you have a lot of extra stress and tension, your body will go in to hormone overload, causing more oil production, and therefore more acne. If you are constantly stressed, learning some stress reduction techniques may help clear up your acne.

A common myth is that squeezing a pimple will cause it to heal faster. Actually though, it can make the problem worse. Squeezing blackheads can make them inflamed, and popping whiteheads pushes the germs further into your skin, causing further infection. Plus, this practice can leave scars on your skin.

Pimples do not always leave scars; it depends on the person and the acne. Generally, when left alone acne pimples will not cause scarring, though inflamed cysts and papules might. If your acne is severe, getting timely treatment will help you to avoid any permanent scarring.

There is no difference between the acne on your face and the acne that you might find on your chest or back. Pimples can happen nearly everywhere on your body, since there are hair canals everywhere but on the palms of your hands and the soles of your feet. Often, the same treatment you use on your face will work on your body acne as well.