What part of your body would you change if you could?
The teenage years often come with the annoying, distinctive and prominent pimples on the face and often on the chest and back too. These tiny skin imperfections tend to fade with age, but for some of us, the painful, red and sometimes yellow "smurfs" can last much longer into adulthood.
Acne is a skin problem that is frequently encountered by young people (of all genders and ages) worldwide and causes great stress in many people.
Acne is a skin condition that occurs when the base of your hair follicle becomes clogged with bacteria, dead skin cells, dirt, oil and sweat, causing the bacteria to cause an infection and produce whiteheads or blackheads.
Understanding the process of acne requires some knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the skin. The skin has three layers; the outer layer called epidermis consists of epithelial cells. Underneath this lies the dermis consisting of connective tissue. At the bottom is a layer called hypodermis consisting mainly of fat cells.
The first step is to understand what causes acne. Now, some people are more at risk for this condition than others; this may or may not have to do with family genes and environmental issues. But there is a specific reason why these little lesions appear on your face.
The skin has narrow pores extending from the surface down to the top of the sub-dermis, called hair follicles. Hairs emerge from the growth zone at the base of each hair follicle and out to the surface of the skin. Around the hair in the dermis are small glands called sebaceous glands. These glands produce a sebaceous substance, sebum, which is discharged through the opening of the follicle and lubricates the hair and skin.
Acne begins when the glands in the hair follicle increase sebum production. At first, this only causes oily / greasy skin. Finally, the sebum mixes with the dead epithelial cells and enters the hair follicle. This mixture chemically reacts to form a hard product that prevents comedones from entering the pores. Depending on the color of the pimples, they are called blackheads or whiteheads.
Then the closed hair follicle fills with oil and swells. The swollen follicle then becomes infected with bacteria. Bacteria and the accumulated sebum cause the follicle and surrounding skin to become inflamed and form a pimple. Eventually, the inflamed follicle bursts and empties its contents. In the end the affected area will heal.
Sometimes the inflammation extends deep into the skin surrounding the follicle and destroys the skin tissue. This causes more or less distinct scars that may remain permanently. Typically, an affected person will have follicles in all of these stages of the process at any given time.
Acne is caused by bacteria that are attracted to your face. They like it when your skin is oily and warm and has dead skin to feed on. They get on your face, in your pores and feel right at home. Your skin will itch and you will develop horrible acne.
Acne is the result of a large amount of toxic substances in the body. These toxic substances can be the accumulation of fat that is not disposed of properly or the accumulation of hormones that the body produces. When the kidneys, liver and intestines can’t get rid of all these toxins, they have to disperse them in other ways. The body releases them either through the lungs or through the skin (dirt and sebum), causing acne swelling and pore infection.
The reason people get acne is because their oil glands are overactive. Acne is caused by inflammation of the pilosebaceous unit, where the hair follicles and oil glands are located.
The sebaceous gland produces sebum, an oily substance that lubricates the skin and excess sebum production clogs the sebaceous gland, which can lead to inflammation and ultimately bacterial infection.
The oil released from the bottom of clogged pores provides the perfect environment for skin bacteria called Propionibacterium acnes to multiply, causing inflammation and visible lesions on the skin.
Acne is caused by the increased production of hormones during puberty, which stimulates the production of sebum. The male hormone testosterone seems to play the biggest role. Girls also start production more testosterone at puberty. Also in other periods, altered hormone production can cause acne, for example in menopausal women.
A healthy diet, such as eating too much fat, too much sugar, or the wrong types of fats can cause acne in some people. Deficiencies in vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids can also cause acne.
Indigestion, a lazy colon and constipation make acne worse in some individuals, possibly due to production of toxins in the intestines. A lazy colon can be caused by dietary mistakes, such as a lack of fiber.
Frequent washing and using strong soaps can cause acne and may not reduce the pain as many people think. Scrubbing or brushing the skin can also cause acne.
Some other factors that can contribute to the development or worsening of acne include:
· Coffee Consumption
· Cosmetics
· Environmental or domestic pollution
· Exposing the skin for chlorine or other halogens, or medicines containing halogens
· Heredity
· Hormonal Imbalances
· Humid environments
· Pregnancy and birth control pills
· Smoking
· Some antidepressants
· Some antiperspirant products
· Some contraceptive agents
· Stress
· Testosterone and anabolic steroids are used for treatment or by bodybuilding
· Use of some types of greasy cosmetic products
· Women may get aggravated acne 2-7 days before menstruation
Acne symptoms include frequent, recurring red or itchy pimples, dark spots with open pores, raised bumps under the skin with no openings, swelling under the skin, fluid blisters, oily skin, skin discoloration, including dark and red spots or patches (hyperpigmentation).
Acne conglobate is a rare but serious form of acne that occurs most often on the back, buttocks, and chest. Serious infections can also occur if pustules and cysts develop.
Acne fulminans is a common form of acne associated with fever and joints pain.
Acne rosacea mainly affecting people over the age of 30 and causing a red rash on the face. Pimples or other skin blemishes may also appear. This should not be confused with pimples. Acne rosacea is more common in women than men, but is more severe in men.
Blackheads occur in partially clogged pores. Dead skin, bacteria and sebum (the product that makes the skin oily) flow into the skin pigments exposed to air, causing the color to darken. It can take a long time to get rid of blackheads.
Closed comedones are clogged hair follicles found under the skin. This usually appears as a small white bump on the skin. These conditions are also known as whiteheads.
Cysts are large purulent lesions that are usually present deep in the skin. These are very painful lesions because they are inflamed. They form as a result of the spillage of the comedone contents onto the surrounding skin and as a result of the local immune system’s response to the production of pus, often leave deep scars.
Gram-negative folliculitis is a bacterial disease that causes pustules and cysts.
Newborns are affected by childhood acne, also known as acne-neonatorum. Some babies also have acne on their scalp. Normally babies have an acne attack at 3 weeks of age. Young babies have it since birth due to persistent maternal hormones that can cause the baby’s oil glands to be stimulated. You babies receive these hormones from the placenta after birth.
In open comedones, the plug expands and enters the skin surface. The dark part of the plug is not due to dirt, but due to the production of melanin, the pigmented color of the skin. These situations are also known as blackheads.
Papules appear as small, firm pink / red bumps on the skin. They are mild in nature and are generally considered to be moderate non-inflammatory and lesions.
Pimples an inflammatory skin disease. This condition is very common in puberty. By the time person reaches their twenties, it either disappears or shrinks. Acne starts because of a comedo, an enlarged hair follicle clogged with oil and bacteria. A comedo is invisible to the naked eye and is located under the surface of the skin. When it gets into the right state, it grows into an inflamed lesion. The oil produced from the skin helps bacteria to grow in the swollen follicle.
Pustules are small, round lesions that are inflamed and contain visible pus that appears red at the base with a yellowish or whitish center. They do not contain a large amount of bacteria. The inflammation is caused by chemical irritation from sebum components such as free fatty acids.
Facial pyoderma usually only affects women between the ages of 20 and 40 and occurs most often in women who have never had acne. This type of acne includes painful pustules, cysts and nodules on the face. Permanent scaring is potential. Generally it clears up within a year.
Whiteheads trapped sebum, dead cells and bacteria under the skin can clog the pores.
Acne doesn't just ruin your skin; the effects of acne can destroy your confidence and life. Trust is very important; it helps us go through life more easily. If we have a lot of self-confidence, it is easier to do tasks such as finding a job, friends, loved ones. It is a known fact that people who believe in themselves a lot actually do better In life. They talk to people more easily and allow them to get what they really want.
Acne can completely destroy a person’s self-esteem. If you doubt how you look, you will think about the way you look when you talk to someone. It may not be obvious to you, but the person you are talking to may sense that you lack confidence and self-esteem.
One of the most important aspects of our life is to find someone to love and have a family; even if you don't want a family and just want a lot of love, you still have to love someone. A person’s personality has a 60% impact on finding a real partner. This person doesn't have to be nice to others.
Talk to your doctor first about how to deal with acne breakouts. Sometimes they will prescribe strong medication. If acne occurs or is severe, you will need to see a specialist.
For many women, acne can persist for decades and often begins in the weeks before menstruation. In women who use birth control pills, this type of acne usually disappears without treatment.
The appearance of large pimples in adults may be an indication of an underlying condition that requires medical attention.
Warning, using some popular lotions, cleansers and other skin products can cause a serious reaction. This type of reaction is quite rare, so don't confuse it with any redness, irritation or itching that occurs in areas where you have applied medication or products.
Get emergency medical help if you experience fainting, difficulty breathing, swelling of the eyes, face, lips or tongue, or a tight neck / throat after using the skin product.
Tips for reducing acne include:
Water is best because water is by far the most effective treatment for acne. Water is alkaline in nature and can be considered as a natural or almost free acne treatment. Therefore, it is best to drink more water daily as it will help the body to get rid of oil, waste and toxins. It even helps to hydrate the skin by preventing clogging of pores. It helps relieve stress and relax the body at the end so you can have a better night’s sleep. Note that water and sleep are factors that help reduce stress.
In addition, try to reduce your consumption of coffee, soft drinks, tea and alcohol. This is because they are part of diuretics and remove more water from the body cells than they consume.
Avoid the use of astringents for beautiful skin because astringent natural soaps and any astringent agents (like oatmeal, witch hazel, very cold water and alcohol) shrink the pores of the skin. In fact, when your skin pores shrink, more oil gets blocked in the skin pores causing acne.
Avoid stimulants. Coffee, tea, cigarettes, as well as excessive sugar from sweets and soft drinks should be avoided. It is often said that anything that can affect the entire body, brain and nervous system can cause the sebaceous glands to secrete more oil. This oil must leave the body through the pores and eventually cause acne. Stimulants even trigger anxiety and stress.
Watch your diet as it affects acne so be careful with what you eat. Try to eat foods that are low in fat as much as possible, because fats produce more oils in the body, which is capable of producing acne.
Avoid alcohol. Many people think that alcohol is one of the best ways to relax and relieve stress, but alcohol causes acne. It is an astringent; thus it shrinks the skin pores which are more prone to clogging. In addition alcohol inhibits sleep and therefore; causes more fatigue and stress, leading to worsen acne.
When considering baths, you should avoid hot and very cold water on areas of skin affected by acne. Use warm water instead; well below 98.5 degrees on the skin.
Remember, do not self-medicate your acne treatment to avoid any sort of skin damage, but seek a prescription and treatment from your primary care skin specialist immediately, as ONLY prescribed products and medications are recommended for treatment.
Final thoughts are that small adjustments in our daily lives and if possible / applicable, the above acne reduction tips can help us avoid ruining our confidence, life and skin.
You must be logged in to post a comment.