The Causes ofThe Causes of

ACNE!

That’s pimples, folksThat’s pimples, folks

Photo taken from Flickr

Acne is a common skin condition that Acne is a common skin condition that

mainly appears during your teenage mainly appears during your teenage

years, when hormone levels are changingyears, when hormone levels are changing

Illustration from Techno Quest Vol.32 (1989)

Acne is caused by:Acne is caused by: family/genetic history oily cosmetics stress diet hot weather exposure to some chemicals Vitamin A and Vitamin E deficiency poor hygiene use of anabolic steroids puberty and menstrual cycles

Other Causes…Other Causes…

What is a follicle?What is a follicle?

Our skin is covered with very small holes, called follicles

Each follicle has a fine hair growing out of it

The follicle produces a special moisturiser for the skin, called sebum, that flows out along the hair

Diagram of a hair follicle

Diagram from Wikipedia

What goes wrong?What goes wrong?

Sometimes the follicle gets filled with dried out oil and dead skin

Sebum builds up

Blackheads form

This is what blackheads look likeThis is what blackheads look like

Photo taken from Wikipedia

So how do blackheads turn So how do blackheads turn into acne?into acne?

trapped sebum (blackhead) trapped sebum (blackhead)

infected with bacteriainfected with bacteria

red pus-filled spots of acne eruptred pus-filled spots of acne erupt

Photo taken from Wikipedia

Acne usually Acne usually occurs on the occurs on the

face, face, arms, arms, chest, chest, neck neck

and backand back

Photos taken from Wikipedia

The Shameful ConditionThe Shameful Condition

Many people tease those with acne

Hey, there’s Pizza-face!

That is SO revolting: You

must be so embarrassed

Look at Katie! She’s never going to get a boyfriend.

Photo from Clipart

Photo from Clipart

What would you say/do to someone with acne?

Would you be their friend?

Why/why not?

People with acne can:People with acne can:

have very low self esteemfeel unattractivebe bullied by their peersbecome depressedconsider suicide

How would YOU help make their world How would YOU help make their world more colourful?more colourful?

Photo from Clipart

Sometimes acne can be Sometimes acne can be cleared by regular cleared by regular

washing and special acne washing and special acne treatments.treatments.

Images from Clipart

Most treatments aim to:Most treatments aim to:

Help clear dead skin

Help clear blackheads

This allows sebum to move freely again

The spots heal

Some treatments include:Some treatments include: Pills

Creams

Dermatologists & GPs

Skin CentresImages from Clipart

And here’s some more…And here’s some more…

Clearasil

Laser treatment

Organic creams

Celebrity Endorsements

Sulphur

Hormonal Treatments

Proactiv

FREE TRIAL!

Dermabrasion

Phototherapy

Surgical Lancing

Detoxification

Heat

Zinc

Benzoyl Peroxide

Triclosan

Retinoids

Salicylic Acid

Antibiotics

Tetracyclines

Erythromycin

Isotretinoin

Over-the-counter pills

PrescriptionMedication

Creams

LotionsSkin Centres

But sometimes But sometimes

nonenone

of theseof these

work.work.

Image from Clipart

Sometimes it’s just a matter of time.Sometimes it’s just a matter of time.

Photo from Clipart

Google the word ‘acne’ and Google the word ‘acne’ and see how many treatments see how many treatments

come upcome up

Why do you think there are so many?

Can you think of something else where there are many alternative products?

Why might this be so?

SummarySummary There are many causes for acne, including family

history and diet

Our skin has tiny holes in it, that are called follicles

The follicles produce sebum, to help moisturise the skin

Acne is caused by sebum in the hair follicle becoming infected

Summary ContinuedSummary Continued Acne generally occurs in teenagers

People with acne can have low self-esteem, depression and even suicidal thoughts

Consider how they must feel and how YOU would feel

Most treatments work by helping shed dead skin and clearing blackheads

Sometimes time is the only cure

The EndThe End