Acne is a skin disease that involves the oil glands at the base of hair follicles. It commonly occurs during puberty when the sebaceous (oil) glands come to life – the glands are stimulated by hormones produced by the adrenal glands of both males and females.

Acne is not dangerous, but can leave skin scars. Human skin has pores (tiny holes) which connect to oil glands located under the skin. The glands are connected to the pores via follicles – small canals. These glands produce Sebum, an oily liquid. The sebum carries dead skin cells through the follicles to the surface of the skin. A small hair grows through the follicle out of the skin. Pimples grow when these follicles get blocked, resulting in an accumulation of oil under the skin.

Fast facts on acne

  • Acne is a skin disease that involves the oil glands at the base of hair follicles.
  • Acne commonly occurs during puberty.
  • Acne is not dangerous, but can leave skin scars.
  • Types of pimples include whiteheads, blackheads, papules, pustules, nobules, cysts.
  • Approximately three-quarters of 11 to 30 year-olds will get acne at some time.
  • Acne can affect people of all races and all ages.
  • Experts believe the primary cause is a rise in androgen levels (hormone).
  • A susceptibility to acne could also be genetic.
  • Treatment for acne may depend on how severe and persistent it is.
  • Acne can be affected by the menstrual cycle, anxiety and stress, hot and humid climates, oil based makeup, greasy hair and pimple squeezing.

Read the full article below for more detail and supporting information.

What is acne?

The word acne comes from the word acme meaning “the highest point,” which comes from the Greek akme meaning “point” or “spot” – it was originally misspelt, with an ‘n’ rather than an ‘m’ in 1835.
Acne, medically known as Acne Vulgaris, is a skin disease that involves the oil glands at the base of hair follicles.

In humans, pimples tend to appear on the face, back, chest, shoulders and neck.

Simply put – skin cells, sebum and hair can clump together into a plug, this plug gets infected with bacteria, resulting in a swelling. A pimple starts to develop when the plug begins to break down.

 

The types of pimples

  • Whiteheads – remain under the skin and are very small
  • Blackheads – clearly visible, they are black and appear on the surface of the skin. Remember that a blackhead is not caused by dirt. Scrubbing your face vigorously when you see blackheads will not help
  • Papules – visible on the surface of the skin. They are small bumps, usually pink
  • Pustules – clearly visible on the surface of the skin. They are red at their base and have pus at the top
  • Nobules – clearly visible on the surface of the skin. They are large, solid pimples. They are painful and are embedded deep in the skin
  • Cysts – clearly visible on the surface of the skin. They are painful, and are filled with pus. Cysts can easily cause scars.

How common is acne?
Human skin has pores (tiny holes) which connect to oil glands located under the skin. The glands are connected to the pores via follicles – small canals. These glands produce Sebum, an oily liquid. The sebum carries dead skin cells through the follicles to the surface of the skin.

Estheticians (skin specialists) say that approximately three-quarters of 11 to 30 year-olds will get acne at some time. Acne can affect people of all races and all ages. It most commonly affects adolescents and young adults, although there are people in their fifties who still get acne. According to Brown University, USA, approximately 17 million Americans are estimated to have acne at any one time.

Although acne affects both men and women, young men suffer from acne for longer – probably because testosterone, which is present in higher quantities in young men, can make acne worse.

What causes acne?

Nobody is completely sure what causes acne. Experts believe the primary cause is a rise in androgen levels – androgen is a type of hormone. Androgen levels rise when a human becomes an adolescent. Rising androgen levels make the oil glands under your skin grow; the enlarged gland produces more oil. Excessive sebum can break down cellular walls in your pores, causing bacteria to grow.

Some studies indicate that a susceptibility to acne could also be genetic. Some medications that contain androgen and lithium may cause acne. Greasy cosmetics may cause acne in some susceptible people. Hormone changes during pregnancy may cause acne either to develop for the first time, or to recur.

Treatment of acne

How your acne is treated may depend on how severe and persistent it is.

Treating mild acne

The majority of people who get acne will develop mild acne. Mild acne can be treated by an Esthetician (Skin Care Specialist) with Salicylic Treatments, Deep Cleansing Facials and Physician grade skin care products. The daily use of a cleanser, toner, hydrating serum and a lotion with spf would be the starting blocks to a good skin care regimen.

This can usually be treated with following active ingredients:

Resorcinol

Benzoyl Peroxide

Benzoyl Peroxide kills bacteria and slows down your glands’ production of oil. Benzoyl peroxide is a white crystalline peroxide used in bleaching (flour or oils or fats) and as a catalyst for free radical reactions. It works as a peeling agent, accelerating skin turnover and clearing pores, which in turn reduces the bacterial count in the affected area.

Salicylic Acid

Salicylic Acid helps break down blackheads and whiteheads, also reduces shedding of cells which line the follicles of the oil glands, effective in treating inflammation and swelling. Salicylic acid is a white crystalline substance which is also used as a fungicide, or in making aspirin or dyes or perfumes. It causes the epidermis to shed skin more easily, prevents pores from becoming blocked while at the same time allowing room for new cells to grow. It is commonly added to shampoos used for treating dandruff.

Retin-A

Retin-A helps unplug blocked pores. Retin-A contains Tretinoin, an acid from of vitamin A, also known as all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA). Tretinoin is also used for the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia. Retin-A has been used widely to combat aging of the skin, and it also acts as a chemical peel.

You can buy acne medications in the forms of gels, soaps, pads, creams and lotions. If your skin is sensitive, you may prefer a cream or lotion. Gels, which are usually alcohol-based and tend to dry the skin, are better for people with oily skin. Your prescribed skin care products will have these ingredients in different concentrations. It is advisable to start with the lowest strengths. You may experience skin irritation, redness or burning when you first try them. These side effects usually go away after continued use. If they do not, you should see your doctor.

How to look after your skin if you have acne (or are prone to acne)

  • Wash your face about twice each day. Do not wash it more often. Use a mild soap made especially for people with acne, and warm water. Do not scrub the skin. Experts advise the use of an cleanser which contains salicylic or benzoyl peroxide
    Wash your face about twice each day. Use a mild soap made especially for people with acne, and warm water.
  • Don’t try to burst the pimples. You may push the infection further down, causing more blocking and worse swelling and redness. Popping pimples makes scarring more likely
  • If you have to get rid of a pimple for some event, such as a wedding, or public speaking occasions, ask a specialist to treat it for you
  • Try to refrain from touching your face with your hands. When you are on the phone try not to let the receiver touch your face – there may be sebum and skin residue on it
  • Keep your hands clean, wash them regularly
  • Always wash your hands before touching your face. This includes before applying lotions, creams or makeup
  • Glasses should regularly be cleaned. They will collect sebum and skin residue
  • You skin needs to breathe. If your acne is on your back, shoulders or chest try wearing loose clothing. Tight garments, such as headbands, caps and scarves should be avoided – if you have to wear them make sure they are cleaned regularly
  • Don’t go to sleep with makeup on. Only use makeup that is noncomedogenic or nonacnegenic – you should be able to read this on the label. If you cannot find it, ask the shopkeeper or pharmacist. You should use makeup which does not have oil and does not clog up the pores
  • Hair collects sebum and skin residue. Keep your hair clean and away from your face
  • Too much sun can cause your skin to produce more sebum. Several acne medications make it more likely that you will be sunburned
  • If you shave your face, do it carefully. Use either an electric shaver or safety razors. If you use a safety razor make sure the blade is sharp. Soften your skin and beard with warm soapy water before applying the shaving cream.

How to prevent making acne worse

  • Menstrual cycle – girls and women with acne tend to get it worse one or two weeks before their menstrual period arrives. This is probably due to hormonal changes that take place. Some people say they eat more chocolate during this time and wonder whether there may be a connection. However, experts believe the worsening acne is not due to chocolate, but rather to hormonal changes
  • Anxiety and stress – mental stress can affect your levels of some hormones, such as cortisol and adrenaline, which in turn can make acne worse. Again, stress can make some people binge-eat. Experts believe the culprits are most likely the hormone levels, rather than the binge-eating
  • Hot and humid climates – when it is hot and humid we sweat more. This can make the acne worse
  • Oil based makeups – moisturizing creams, lubricating lotions, and all makeup that contain oil can speed up the blocking of your pores
  • Greasy hair – some hair products are very greasy and might have the same effect as oil based makeup. Hair products with cocoa butter or coconut butter are examples
  • Squeezing the pimples – if you try to squeeze pimples your acne is more likely to get worse, plus you risk scarring.