In addition to the physiological differences between Black, Hispanic (or southern European), and White skin, there are several demographic differences that surprisingly have a significant impact on acne.

The first is that the Black population in the United States-and, to a lesser extent, the Hispanic populations tend to be concentrated in areas where the climate is hotter and more humid. As you know, in these warmer climes, one tends to perspire more than in cooler areas. The act of sweating actually aggravates or increases the likelihood of acne as the excess moisture swells the skin around the pores, which blocks them, causing more acne. In other words, while Black skin is more prone to acne anyhow, it is also true that demographically Blacks often reside in “acne-genic” locations-that is, the areas of the country with high temperatures and humidity. This compounds their acne problem.

The second sociological factor is that Black men and Black women often use oil-containing hair products. These products are usually used to give added sheen and to help manageability. Since any oily product applied to the hair is likely to spread to adjacent areas, especially the forehead, neck, and upper shoulders, these hair preparations often aggravate acne.

Black women (and very occasionally Black men) often straighten their hair, a procedure that generally involves the use of harsh chemicals. Also, certain curling techniques involve the use of chemicals heat. We have no proof, but we suspect that some of these chemicals may slightly damage and dry the skin near the scalp, making it more prone to acne invasions.

Finally, more Blacks and Hispanics in the United States smoke than do Whites. And, there is no doubt that smoking, in addition to all its other negatives, aggravates acne.

Many people suffer with the skin condition known as acne or Zits; however, many effective treatments are available. Owing the widespread nature of this condition, scientific research into this area is intense; in fact many new remedies are proving very effective. Most acne skin care products can be broken down into three main areas:

* Drugstore: Preventative treatment

* Drugstore: Relief treatment

* Prescription: Dermatologist or Doctor, specialist cream or ointment

Many skin care products are used as a measure to prevent acne; these products can be anything from skin cleansers to makeup removers. In the real sense, these products are just those that should be part of your daily routine; in many instances the user has never had a skin condition to worry about. Some of these products are designed to act like an acne skin care product and act against the causes of this complaint; devised primarily to limit the amount of oil or sebum forming in the pores. Excess oil needs to be stopped from clogging the pores as this oil make it easier for bacteria to grow, exacerbating the condition.

Other skin care treatments can help exfoliate the skin; most are readily available over the counter at drug stores or even online. These work towards removing dead skin cells, reducing the possibility of pore-clogging and bacteria development. There are specialized acne skin care products available over-the-counter, they do not require the need of a prescription. A bacterium that aids the formation of acne is stopped by creams and cleansers that contain benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid; they are designed to extract the excess oil that bacteria need to promote the development of acne.

Generally it is best to start using this type of product with only a small amount of benzoyl peroxide (less than 5.5 percent is recommended), just to see how the skin reacts; should a reaction occur, products containing alpha hydroxy acid are generally safer. As with any type of zit cream, you may need to try a few acne skin care products until you find one that will suit your skin; if none of them work then you would be advised to contact your skin specialist. Products that your dermatologist or doctor will recommend will only be available on prescription, they may include a course of antibiotics or topical ointments.

Under certain circumstances, having the infected material removed from the pores under a local anesthetic may be suggested by your dermatologist; although this is a minor procedure, if it were performed by the person themselves it could result in skin damage. An alternative that has been shown to work well is hormone therapy; hormonal changes are known to cause acne and such skin care treatments often effective. Constant research has paid off, and whilst they cannot cure the condition, it is becoming easier to treat.