While many people have been struggling to find the perfect treatment for acne to improve their appearance, a new study suggests that an effective treatment for the skin condition is already found in the body – nitric oxide.
Nitric oxide is a substance produced and used throughout the human body. But its benefits are usually short-lived, researchers explained in a study that was recently published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, details WebMD.
According to the study, by slowing the release of nitric oxide using tiny substances called nanoparticles, researchers were able to kill the bacteria associated with acne.
The nanoparticles also inhibited the inflammation that causes the large, painful pimples that are normally the result of inflammatory acne.
The driving force for all types of acne
According to Dr. Adam Friedman, associate professor of dermatology at George Washington University in Washington D.C., and a co-author of the recent study, inflammation is really the driving force behind all types of acne.
He said that the recent research that they have made provided an effective means to kill the bacterium that serves as a stimulus for acne without using an antibiotic. The study also demonstrated the means by which nitric oxide inhibits newly recognized pathways central to the formation of a pimple, present in the skin even before one can see the acne.
The pathway involves inflammasome, which is responsible for activating the inflammatory process in acne, cites Dr. Friedman.
By killing the bacterium and blocking multiple components of the inflammasome, the approach may actually lead to better treatment options for people suffering from severe cases of acne, and possibly treatments for other inflammatory skin conditions.
He added that people’s understanding of acne has changed dramatically in the last 15 to 20 years. While there are many treatments now for acne, most of today’s medications focus only on one or two parts of the process.
The most common skin disease
Acne is the most common skin disease in the world and affects most teenagers. It is a long-term skin condition characterized by areas of blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, greasy skin, and possibly scarring.
While the disease is prevalent among teenagers, about 15% of men and 5% of women already in their 40s are still suffering from acne. Skin doctors or dermatologists believe that long-term adult acne is a condition that can stay with the person most of his or her life and needs to be constantly managed.
Acne is a bacterial infection caused by disturbances in the body’s internal chemistry. Although there is no definitive cure for chronic adult acne, new treatments such as skin peels and laser light have been shown to be highly effective.
The disease mostly affects skin with a greater number of oil glands including the face, the upper part of the chest, and the back. During puberty in both sexes, acne is often brought on by an increase in androgens such as testosterone. Excessive growth of the bacteria called propionibacterium acnes present in the skin is often its underlying cause.
Many people wrongly assume that acne is caused by certain lifestyle factors and that eating less fatty food or using antibacterial washes will get rid of it. Unfortunately, these make little difference.
Acne is a big problem in many young adults because the resulting appearance may lead to anxiety, reduced self-esteem, and in some cases, depression and even thoughts of suicide.
According to previous studies, genetics is estimated to be the cause of 80% of acne sufferers. So if one of the person’s parents or both have a case of acne when they were still in their teens, there is a good chance that their offspring will experience the same.
There have been studies citing the role of diet as a cause for acne, but those have yet to be proven. Neither is cleanliness nor sunlight appears to be a major cause too. However, cigarette smoking does increase the risk of developing acne and worsens its severity.
In a report by the Daily Mail, it has enumerated four of the latest therapies to acne that have been proven to be effective including N-Lite, the Green Peel, Clear Light Laser, and TCA Cold Link Gel Acne Peel.