Good News for Acne Sufferers

 

Acne is a distressing skin condition that many people, usually ages 11 to 30, experience. Acne sufferers spend hundreds to thousands of dollars every year on products to control their breakouts. A new study reveals good news for acne sufferers in the form of a common virus that lives on the skin.

The naturally existing virus, called a phage, lives on our skin and is programmed to kill the bacteria that cause acne. Acne starts when naturally produced oil, called sebum, blocks facial hair follicles. Once this happens, a variety of generally harmless bacteria can infect the clogged follicle. One of these bacteria is called Propionibacterium acnes. This is the bacteria that causes acne, and the bacteria that a phage targets.

Phages provide a safe, effective, and natural solution to the problem of acne. There are different strains of phages, but all share common features. Phages contain a special protein that works to break down cell walls of bacteria, killing it. Another feature of a phage is its ability to specify the bacteria it is killing, unlike antibiotics which kill both good, and bad bacteria.

While the idea of using a virus to kill acne is a brilliant one, more time and research must be put in before a product becomes available for consumer use. There are a wide variety of acne controlling products on the market that will help control breakouts. While these products may not cure acne, they can be successful in the treatment and management of the skin condition. In time, and post-testing, the phage viruses can help put an end to the skin condition, which is good news for acne sufferers.

Sources:
WebMD – http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/acne/news/20120925/virus-fights-acne
ABC News Health – http://abcnews.go.com/Health/virus-weapon-zits/story?id=17314947#.UGMeVVHX7IU
BBC News Health – http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-19702511

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