Q: Dr. Smith, why do some people get blackheads instead of whiteheads? I assume they come from the same causes.....except one is white and one is black. The blackheads are CLEARLY visible.
A: Good question.
The pores of your skin contain glands that make oil called sebum for your hair and skin. Sometimes, as your body changes and matures, the hormones stimulate the glands to make more oil and you end up with overactive oil-producing glands. So, your pores can get plugged up with too much oil and dead skin cells.
Blackheads: When a pore gets plugged, but stays open, the top surface can get dark and then you have a blackhead. Blackheads can last for several months because the contents very slowly drain to the surface.
Whiteheads: If a pore gets plugged and closes, it begins bulging from under the skin creating a whitehead. Never remove a whitehead forcibly because the pore is not open. Forcibly removing a whitehead can damage the skin tissue and spread infection.
Either way, blackheads and whiteheads are filled with trapped oil called sebum and dead skin cells. The treatment advice for how to get rid of blackheads and how to get rid of whiteheads is therefore the same.
Finally, whiteheads and blackheads are types of acne that affect many people. It's not your fault, and you don't need to feel ashamed or embarrassed. There are several treatment options available. Your doctor should be able to recommend something to help you. But don't give up. For severe cases or those resistant to treatment, you should be seen by a dermatologist.
Dermatologist Steven A. Smith MD
Q: So, what really causes pimples? oil, stress, chocolate, spicy food, chips?
A: What really causes acne? As a dermatologist I'm convinced after treating thousands of people suffering from acne problems, the single cause of acne is not known.
I do think that if one or both of your parents suffered from acne, you are more likely to suffer from acne too, but overall it's not your fault. You didn't do anything to deserve these pimples and zits, except reach puberty. At the beginning of your teen years, your body goes through a series of changes, and some of these changes are linked to an increase in acne. You begin to produce more hormones called androgens, which are male hormones, but are found in both guys and girls. These hormones cause excess oil to build up in your pores. Oil and dead skin cells start to clog the pores and lead to the whiteheads and blackheads that show up on your face. Other things can contribute to acne, including the environment, heredity, certain types of make-up, and too much stress - so don't stress out over acne, you can do something about it.
Your skin normally has some "friendly" bacteria; everyone's skin has them. But when oil and dead skin cells clog the pores, the bacteria turn hostile and begin to increase. This combination eventually results in the inflamed, red pimples you commonly see in acne. In more severe acne, there can also be large, deep cysts. Some people also get acne on their arms, back, and chest in addition to the face. Bromide, the major active ingredient in Loma Lux® AcnePill™, helps the body's white blood cells to kill bacteria.
And don't worry; you're not alone with your acne problems. Approximately 17 million people have acne. That includes more than 80 percent of the people in their teens and early 20s. The fact is there isn't a perfect acne remedy or magic potion. To the best of my knowledge, there is not an acne product that works perfectly for every single person.
So what causes acne or makes it worse?
Be reasonable when treating acne. It took a while for the pimples to develop, so don't expect them to disappear overnight, even with the best medical treatment. I've have been very pleased with how well Loma Lux® AcnePill™ clears acne from the inside-out. It's so simple and easy to use. You don't have to apply anything. No step one, two, three. You simply just take one dose per day according to directions, and that's it. Loma Lux® AcnePill™ also helps prevent future acne breakouts too! But be patient. It could happen over night, but it may take a few weeks for the acne treatment to really start working and for your acne to improve significantly. Don't panic, and make sure you stick to your treatment schedule. Before long, you'll be on your way to clear and healthy skin.
By Dermatologist Steven A. Smith MD
Q: so.......how do i get rid of them?? acne scars are the worst because they stay with you really long. do u know approximately how long it'll be until they fade away??.....and what if some people like popping their pimples? will it make acne scars harder to fade??.......
A: First of all, don't pick, scratch, or pop those zits! It causes more damage to the skin, and can cause additional scarring. The more the skin is damaged from acne and the longer it takes to heal, the greater the chance of a noticeable scar.
Typically, a scar may appear more red and thicker at first, and then gradually fade away. Many actively healing scars that seem unsightly at two to three months may heal properly if given more time.
No scar can ever be completely erased, and no magic technique will return the scar to its normal, uninjured appearance. But there are several techniques that can minimize a scar, most of which are done routinely in a dermatologist's office.
Dermabrasion. Dermabrasion is a method of treating acne scars, or minor irregularities of the skin's surface. An electrical machine is used by a dermatologist to remove the top layers of skin to give a more even contour to the surface of the skin. While it can offer improvement for certain scars, it cannot get rid of the scar entirely. Patients can usually return to work within a week. If defects are minor, only one dermabrasion will be needed. Several abrasions may be required if defects are deep and extensive, as in deep acne scars.
Laser Resurfacing Laser Scar Revision. Acne scars or other indented scars can also be improved with laser skin resurfacing. High-energy light is used to remove unwanted, damaged skin. Patients can return to work or regular activity within one week, but skin may stay pink for several weeks or longer.
Chemical Peels. This procedure involves the use of a chemical to remove the top layer of the skin in order to smooth depressed scars and give the skin a more even color. It is most helpful for shallow superficial scars. Different chemicals can be used for different depth peels. Light peels require no healing time while deeper peels can require up to two weeks to heal. The amount of scarring and color change desired determines the type of peel selected.
A dermatologist should be able to evaluate your skin condition and offer you the latest scar treatment methods available.
If you want to avoid acne scars entirely, start using Loma Lux® AcnePill™ once a day. Its safe and all-natural ingredients work inside the body, clearing acne problems from the inside out. While it can't fix the acne scars you have now, it can sure help prevent future scarring.
Best of luck!
Steven A. Smith, MD
thanks for telling me! but sometimes i can't resist the temptation of popping the zits after 2 or 3 days. it's so hard!