Acne

As a person enters puberty stage, he or she starts to notice changes in his or her body. Physical changes develop. Breasts start to form for girls and boys’ voices start to get husky. This signals that the hormones are gearing for the adult stage. With these changes come some dilemmas. Skin problems are not an exception.

One of the raging skin conditions that affect human species is acne. This usually develops in the adolescence stage. Acne is the inflammation of the sebaceous glands or simply termed as clogged pores. The sebaceous glands are part of the skin and are responsible for the secretion of sebum, the hair and skin lubricant.

Blackheads, whiteheads or pimples especially on the face, chest, shoulders and back characterize acne. In some serious cases, they appear in the forms of nodules and cysts and results to scarring. Although most teenagers are affected by acne, it is not restricted to a particular age group. People who are in their 30’s to 50’s can still be affected. It may not be life threatening, but it is upsetting and shameful.

Acne develops too in adult women who might be pregnant, those with irregular menstrual cycles and those who start and stop contraceptive pills. This is due to the hormonal changes associated with their conditions.

Acne is usually visible in the face, chest, shoulder and back because these areas have the most number of oil glands. There are three factors that contribute to the development of acne: shedding of dead skin cells irregularly, accumulation of bacteria, and too much production of sebum.

Acne is formed when hair follicles are plugged with dead skin cells and oil. These follicles are connected to the sebaceous glands. Sebum usually just travels along the hair shaft and out through the hair follicles’ openings but when there is an abundance of sebum and dead skin cells, these fill-up the opening of the hair follicles and will clot the pores. This will cause the skin to break out into pimples, whiteheads, or blackheads.

Pimples are swelling of the skin. They appear in reddish spots with white center. Whiteheads are tiny white nodules in the skin produces by the retention of sebum. Blackheads are blackened surface of the hair follicle due to the trapped sebum and keratin. Blockages that develop inside hair follicles may cause lumps beneath skin surface. These are called cysts.

There are two types of acne: the inflammatory and the non-inflammatory. Inflammatory acne includes closed comedo and open comedo. What is closed comedo? If the plugged follicle is underneath the skin surface, it is referred to as closed comedo. But if the plug grows and protrudes the skin surface, it is open comedo.

Inflammatory acne includes papule, pustule, cyst and acne conglobata. Small, inflamed lesions that contain white pus are called papules. Pustules may appear the same as papules but their infection is caused by a chemical reaction from fatty-free acids, components from sebum. The acne conglobata is rare. But this must be treated as soon as detected for this may form serious inflammations in areas like the buttocks, chest and back.

The typical symptoms of acne are swellings or red spots on the skin, generally known as pimples, and persistent itching on the affected area. This skin condition can be easily diagnosed since their nature of occurrence is visible and obvious.

Acne treatments are effective once oil production is reduced. You may not notice right away the effects of an acne medication after using. Some takes effect a few weeks after. Medications are packaged in different forms. You can have the topical treatments where you will be using acne products to aid the treatment. Antibiotics too can be used for severe cases of acne. There is isotretinoin. This is stronger than antibiotics available especially for cystic acne. Oral contraceptives and cosmetic surgeries too are available.

The best acne skin care of all is to keep your skin clean and moisturize. Avoid using harsh over-the-counter products. Astringents are not really recommended for they can irritate and dry the skin. Do not prick on blemishes and beware of touching your face too unnecessarily.

Being beautiful is a matter of feeling. Feel good and you will exude beauty from within. How can one feel beautiful with acne visible on your face or shoulders? Proper care and attention on your skin can do wonders, not just physically but mentally and emotionally as well.