Around 80% of people between the ages 11-30 are affected by acne. If we were to look at only teenagers, then the percentage would increase to 90%. Acne manifests itself differently from person to person.
Most people grow out of this phase by the time they reach their 20s. However, this is not true for everyone. Some people suffer from acne even in their adulthood. The severity of the issue once again varies by individual. Some people see it as a minor inconvenience, while for others acne can be extremely painful and hard to live with.
The medical term we are looking at is ‘acne vulgarise and can be caused by various factors, from clogged hair follicles to hormonal imbalances. Unfortunately for the people who find themselves in this predicament, there doesn’t exist a definite “cure”, although there are many treatments available for those who seek assistance.
New findings
However, studies done in recent years have made some discoveries that could change that. Apparently, a virus called bacteriophage could be used in order to help kill the bacteria that causes acne. There are 11 versions of this virus that can be used.
Dr. Robert Modlin from UCLA is the lead scientist in this research. He believes that using a virus that naturally attacks bacteria that causes pimples in the first place could be useful when it comes to treating acne.
The bacteria which causes acne is called Propionibacterium acnes and it exists on the skin and can easily infect hair follicles when they become clogged with dirt and sebum.
The reason why phages could be a success in battling acne is that opposed to antibiotics which kill all types of bacteria, even the ones that are good for your body, this virus only targets one type of bacteria. This has the potential of being a better treatment for this skin condition.
As you might be aware, all treatments have some kind of side effect and acne treatments are no exception. From killing beneficial bacteria as mentioned before to drying the skin, these are only a few side-effects to name. However, this treatment seems to offer fewer side effects as it is more tailored to your particular needs.
This is very exciting news indeed and it definitely brings some hope to people suffering from acne.
Author: Lucy Walker
Lucy has been a journalist and writer in the health and beauty sector since 2014. Her ambition knows no bounds, and she always looks for new opportunities to learn and grow.
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