Acne is a familiar skin condition millions of people worldwide struggle with each and every day. It results when the hair follicles beneath the skin become clogged with sebum and dead skin cells leading to all too familiar pimples or "zits." Although common among adolescents and teens, acne can impact people of all ages and races. Depending on the severity of your acne, it can lead to scarring on the skin. In most cases, early treatment and effective skincare can help reduce the lasting impact of acne.
What are the Signs of Acne?
The signs of acne will vary depending on the severity of your particular condition. In all cases, acne causes skin lesions commonly referred to as pimples. The enlarged or plugged hair follicles are referred to as comedones. There are several types of acne lesions. They include:
· Blackheads-these are plugged follicles that reach the surface of the skin. At the surface, they open up, revealing the sebum in the clogged pore. The sebum appears black due to exposure to the air, not because of “dirt in the pore.”
· Whiteheads- whiteheads are plugged follicles that remain beneath the skin leading to a white bump visible on the surface.
· Papules-papules are inflamed lesions that appear as small, pink-colored bumps on the skin. They are often painful to the touch.
· Pustules (pimples)-are papules topped by a yellow or white colored pus-filled lesion. The base of the lesion may be red and painful.
· Nodules-These are large, solid lesions that remain deep within the skin.
· Severe nodular acne (cystic acne)-painful, pus-filled lesions that remain deep within the skin.
Although acne is most common on the face, it can appear on the chest, upper back, and shoulders as well.
What Causes Acne?
In general, acne is caused by one (or a combination of) of four things, including bacteria, excess oil (sebum) production, clogged hair follicles, and inflammation. The face, upper back, shoulders, and chest are the areas of the skin that have the highest number of sebaceous (oil) glands. Hair follicles are attached to oil glands making these areas more prone to clogged pores and inflammation.
Acne develops when the sebaceous (oil) glands that connect to the hair follicles beneath the skin become clogged. When your skin is healthy, the sebaceous glands make an oil called sebum. Sebum is released onto the skin surface through your pores. Also, a specific type of cell called keratinocytes line the follicles, and as your body sheds dead skin cells, the keratinocytes rise to the skin's surface and are shed along with other dead cells.
Dead skin cells and excess sebum are not problematic when your skin is healthy. However, when someone struggles with acne, the sebum, hair, and keratinocytes remain stuck inside the pore. This prevents both the skin cells from shedding and sebum from emptying onto the skin's surface. This causes the bacteria that generally live (harmlessly) on the skin to grow and multiply inside the hair follicles, leading to inflammation and all too familiar pimples.
There are several root causes of acne. While some contributing factors may “cause” acne, others may worsen the condition after it develops. Hormones, both male and female, are a significant cause of acne, especially in teens during puberty. Both male and female hormones lead to increased sebum production, worsening clogged pores. Also, certain pregnancy-related hormones and hormone increases linked to monthly menstrual cycles may worsen acne.
Certain medications and family history may contribute to acne development. Medications containing hormones, lithium, and corticosteroids can lead to acne development. Researchers also believe you may be more prone to acne development if your biological parents struggled with acne.
There are other factors that are widely believed to "cause" acne; however, research indicates this may not be the case. Lifestyle characteristics such as diet, stress, clothing choices, environmental irritants, aggressing skin cleansing, and picking at blemishes are not found to cause acne. However, they will likely make acne worse.
Causes of Facial Acne
Acne is common on the face. Some studies indicate acne on specific areas of the face may have certain causes.
· Acne along the hairline (pomade acne) may be linked to hair care products that clog the pores.
· Acne on your cheeks could result from dirty pillowcases and dirty cell phone screens that spread bacteria.
· Acne along the jawline might be related to hormonal changes.
· Acne on the nose and forehead can be connected to fatigue, stress, and consistently touching your face with dirty hands.
Tips for Acne Prevention
The American Academy of Dermatology suggests several skincare habits that may help prevent acne. These include:
· Use your fingertips to apply a non-abrasive, gentle cleanser.
· Wash your skin twice daily (more if you have been sweating).
· Be gentle with your skin.
· Remember that scrubbing can make acne worse-not better.
· Rinse your skin with lukewarm water-not hot water.
· Shampoo regularly to avoid forehead and hairline acne.
· Let your skin heal naturally.
· Do not touch your skin.
· Use sunscreen and limit sun exposure.
It is important to remember that preventing acne can be difficult, especially during times of your life when hormonal changes occur rapidly. Teens and young adults are often plagued with acne as hormone levels fluctuate dramatically between one’s early teens and mid-20s. Fortunately, most people notice acne begins to resolve during early adulthood without significant intervention.
If you experience acne that is painful or difficult to manage, the skincare professionals at UPKEEP Med Spa can help. Many treatments are available to help reduce acne lesions and visible acne scarring.
The type of treatment that works best for you will depend on several factors unique to your situation, such as the type of acne you have, what treatments you have tried, your age, and where the acne lesions appear on your skin. Acne treatment plans will vary from person to person, even if you struggle with the same type of acne.
To learn more about our variety of acne treatments and how the professionals at Upkeep Med Spa can help you control acne, contact us today.