Acne
Acne is a skin condition that consists of an outbreak of pimples or cysts. It mainly affects the face, but may also affect the back, arms and chest. Hormonal changes, especially during puberty cause the skin to become more oily, and along with the presence of bacteria, leads to blackheads, pimples or cysts.
As significant hormonal changes occur during teenage years, acne is most common in this age group, but can last into adulthood. Acne tends to occur earlier in girls than boys, and can be more severe during their menstrual cycle. However, boys tend to have more severe, and more frequent outbreaks of acne in comparison to girls.
Cause
An increase in hormone production, especially androgens, affects the oil glands on the skin. Growth of these glands increases the amount of oil produced, and the presence of bacteria on the skin can cause blackheads, pimples or cysts. As acne is the result of altered hormones, it can also occur during menstruation, pregnancy or stress where a rise in hormones is also observed. Acne can also be triggered by oily cosmetic products, humid weather and sweating.
Signs
Signs of acne include:
- whiteheads or blackheads (small white of black dots) visible on the skin,
- scarring of the skin,
- redness around skin eruptions, and
- pustules (small bumps on the skin which are inflamed and filled with pus).
Management
There are several ways to manage acne, ranging from self-care to professional treatment.
Self-care methods include:
- skin cleansing,
- washing hair daily,
- avoiding oily cosmetics or creams, and
- avoiding touching, squeezing or picking pimples as this can result in further infection and scarring of the skin.
Professional treatment can be sought from your doctor if self-care methods are not working. Your doctor will advise you of the most appropriate treatment for your needs.
The benefits of Tea Tree Oil for Acne prone skin:
- Tea Tree Oil is an effective solution for Acne-prone skin due to its anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties
- High quality Tea Tree Oil is characterised by high levels of Terpinen-4-ol, which is the main antibacterial component of Tea Tree Oil.
- Thursday Plantation’s Tea Tree Oil exceeds Australian and International minimum standards for Terpinen-4-ol by 33%, meaning Thursday Plantation Tea Tree is a superior quality oil.
- Lower levels of para-cymene and 1, 8 cineole in Thursday Plantation’s Tea Tree Oil help to minimise the risk of potential skin sensitisation, making it a low Irritant Acne solution
Disclaimer
The content displayed on this webpage is intended for informational purposes and is a guide only. It does not replace or substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
Information contained on this webpage must be discussed with an appropriate healthcare professional before making any decisions or taking any action based on the content of this webpage.
Sources
Better Health Channel
http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/Bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/acne?Open
PubMed Health
http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/Bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/acne?Open
