Sooner or later, aging starts to take its toll on skin, no matter how well we all have moisturized and protected and pampered ourselves. Losing skin elasticity and that supple, smooth texture we enjoyed in our twenties and thirties gives way to fine wrinkles, creases, and yes, even the dreaded age spots. Those age spots are known as melasma, and while they certainly aren't harmful, they do cause frustration and annoyance in those who develop patches of it on their face and hands. Melasma is the result of an increase in pigmentation in various areas of the body, occurring mostly on the face, the back of the hands, forearms and shoulders. More women than men suffer occasional patches, and it is often prevalent in those of Native American and German or Russian descent. These dark, irregular patches appear on the upper cheeks, nose, lips, and between the nose and lips, as well as the forehead of many people after they hit that 40-year old mark, and may take months, or even years, to develop. The darkened patches of skin are believed to be caused by hormones that produce melanin pigments in places where the skin is exposed to sunlight, and women who spent much of their youth sunbathing can expect to develop melasma later on in life. However, women who live in hot, dry areas, and have light brown or olive toned skin are much more likely to develop melasma than others, so it's best to protect the skin with appropriate clothing and to always wear a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 year round. Sometimes, people with thyroid problems also experience melasma, and stress is also a factor in the development of this skin condition. For others, allergic reactions to foods, medications or cosmetics are the main culprit. To help reduce the appearance of these darker patches of skin, many people use topical pigment reducing or skin bleaching products such as hydroquinone, also known as HQ, which prevents the creation of an enzyme that is used to produce melanin. Another product, known as Tretinoin, is an acid that increases skin cell rejuvenation. Another product, called Azelaic acid, is believed to inhibit the cells that create melanin. Facial peels with alpha hydroxy acids are also commonly used, or chemical peels that contain glycolic acid. Teen acne is certainly not uncommon, since almost 90 percent of teenagers are affected with it in one way or another. Not only does it affect a teen going through adolescence physically, many teens feel as though having acne affects their self-esteem. The reason teens are so susceptible to getting acne is that their bodies are going through many changes. At the beginning of adolescence, or puberty, the body starts to produce hormones called androgens. Boy and girls get these hormones at the beginning of development; however, boys tend to get more of it, resulting in more breakouts. The body is covered with thousands of pores, or hair follicles. At the base of the follicles are oil glands that produce sebum, and can act as a layer to protect the skin from the environment as well as keeping it moist and healthy. When hormones start up, oil glands start producing more oil and mix together with old skin on the bodys surface. When oil and dead skin mix together, they start plugging up the pores and trapping oil and bacteria within the skin. Despite being filled with oil, the body will continue to produce more, and the pore becomes swollen or inflamed. White blood cells attack the inflammation, which in turn cause the red blemishes known as pimples. Despite acne being so common in teenagers, adults often find themselves affected by it as well. Not only can it affect the self-esteem of a teenager, but adults can suffer from physical or psychological scars as well. Adult acne is more likely to cause permanent acne scars, since the skin is aged and often has less collagen. Since doctors are now realizing that acne does not just affect teenagers, they are coming up with more ways to treat and fight acne. More adults are seeking treatment for acne, and public awareness is increasing on the issue. A skin disorder called Rosacea is often mistaken for acne in adults. This disorder affects adults between the ages of 30 and 60, and can look similar to acne symptoms with redness, oily skin surface and a bumpy appearance. Many other skin disorders may have a few similar symptoms to acne, so it is always important to be checked by a dermatologist to make sure. When some skin conditions are left untreated, they can often grow worse or more painful. Despite what is often heard, acne is not caused by a lack of hygiene. In fact, over- scrubbing the skin can actually make acne worse, since the body will continue to secrete oils to replace the amount scrubbed off. Another common misconception is that diet causes acne. If certain foods seem to cause breakouts in particular individuals, avoiding them may be a good option. Acne can be caused by stress or depression, since it puts extra pressure on the body. It can affect the way people look, and the way they feel about themselves, leaving permanent scars, both physically and mentally.
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