Causes, Types, Symptoms of Acne & How to Overcome Acne
Aesthetics Daily – The face is the part of the body where acne usually occurs. In addition to the face, acne can also attack other areas of the body such as the shoulders, neck, upper arms, back, and chest. In that part of the body there are the most oil glands that have the potential to trigger acne.
Then, you start to wonder how acne can appear suddenly. Acne occurs due to the production of excess oil (sebum). As a result, excess oil and dead skin cells can clog hair follicles. The skin will become inflamed, marked by the appearance of small bumps on the surface of the skin.
Involving the oil glands at the base of the hair follicles, harmless pimples can leave scars on the skin. Acne that affects 3 out of 4 people aged 11 to 30 years is often difficult to get rid of and requires special treatment. Puberty is the stage of life when acne usually appears. In addition, acne is also common during pregnancy and childbirth, perimenopause and menopause and the menstrual cycle.
Common Signs of Acne
People of all ages can get acne especially during puberty when the sebaceous glands are active. Generally, black acne (blackheads) or white acne (whiteheads) appear on the face or other parts of the body.
If acne strikes you, it can develop into acne scars that are difficult to remove. There are several types of acne that you need to know in order to identify them early on. Types of acne include:
Whiteheads
Oil, dirt, and dead skin cells that get clogged in the pores are called whiteheads. The oily part of the face that is most prone to whiteheads is the T-zone, including the chin, nose and forehead. Whiteheads, which are a mild form of acne, can be treated with both topical and oral medications.
Blackheads
Small bumps that appear on the skin due to clogged hair follicles are called blackheads. This type of acne affects the face and other parts of the body including the arms, shoulders, chest and back. The characteristics of blackheads are easily recognized because of their black color.
Papules
Often called skin lesions, papules are raised areas of skin tissue less than 1 centimeter around them. Papules that can appear in a variety of colors, shapes and sizes are generally not serious. You can recognize papules that look dome-like or flat on top.
Pimples (Pustules)
A raised patch of skin filled with a yellowish fluid called pus is a pustule. Basically big pimples, pustules appear when you have some kind of infection and your body tries to fight it with white blood cells. Pustules can form when infected fluid and dead white blood cells become trapped in the pores.
Acne Nodules
Involves a bacterium called p. acnes, nodular acne is considered a more severe form of acne. Nodular acne results from an infection that goes deep under the skin, causing the affected pore to become swollen and red. Acne nodules look like small bumps under the skin that are painful to the touch.
Cystic Acne
Cystic acne is different from nodular acne even though they are both below the surface of the skin. Because they contain pus, cystic acne is gentler than nodular acne. This occurs when the infection gets into the skin creating a pus-filled lump. If a cystic pimple bursts then the infection can spread, causing more breakouts.
What Causes Acne?
The pores on the skin are connected to the oil glands via hair follicles. The glands produce an oily fluid called sebum which brings dead skin cells to the surface of the skin. Excess oil glands that accumulate along with skin and hair cells under the skin’s surface will clog the follicles. Blockages infected with bacteria can cause swelling.
The bacteria living on the skin that contributes to acne infection is Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes). Not all bacteria on the skin can cause acne. The type of bacteria affects the frequency and severity of acne.
Hormonal Factor
Acne caused by hormonal factors is known as acne vulgaris. This most common type of acne forms in response to hormonal changes and increases in androgens such as testosterone. This hormone stimulates the sebaceous glands to swell and produce more oil. Acne affects 80 percent between the ages of 11 and 30. Most of those affected by acne are teenagers aged 14 to 19 years. Some people still get acne after 30 years.
At puberty, testosterone increases, leading to muscle development in boys and bone strength in girls. Hormones can also trigger an increase in sebum production at the base of the hair, causing the skin to become oily. The clogged hair follicles coupled with the overproduction of skin cells form blackheads which can be exacerbated by a bacterial infection. Inflammation occurs due to the immune system’s reaction to bacteria.
Meanwhile, hormonal changes during pregnancy and the menopausal cycle can also trigger acne in women. According to the researchers, women who had acne around menopause generally had androgen levels in the normal range, but their levels of endrogens decreased.
Genetic Factors
Genetics is said to have a role in the development of acne. If your parents have a history of acne then you most likely have acne too. Genetic acne determines how your immune system responds to acne-causing bacteria. However, there is no underlying evidence to suggest that certain genes can be affected by acne.
Some families may have a hereditary tendency to overproduce dead skin cells. Alternatively, the family line has a tendency to produce excess sebum. If acne is caused by this then we call it genetic acne.
Diet
How can diet cause acne? When you are on a diet, you eat certain types of food. Some foods can raise blood sugar faster than others. An increase in blood sugar causes the body to release a hormone called insulin. Excess production of insulin in the blood causes the oil glands to produce more oil. This will increase the risk of developing acne.
Although the relationship between diet and acne is relatively controversial, research shows that diet contributes to acne growth. There are several foods that trigger acne. One of them is foods rich in carbohydrates such as white rice, pasta, bread, crackers, cereals, syrups, and sugary drinks.
To date, it is not clear how milk and dairy products contribute to acne formation. Milk can make acne worse because it increases insulin levels. However, the causal relationship between milk consumption and acne is just speculation that needs further research.
Stress
The direct link between stress and acne is unclear. But one thing you need to know, stress can’t directly cause acne. However, research shows that stress can worsen existing acne. When people are under stress, acne takes longer to heal.
To get rid of acne, everyone needs to learn to manage stress. Even when you’re not stressed, the appearance of acne presents a problem for you. Exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, resting if the workload is too heavy for you and eating healthy foods can help you feel better and reduce stress.
Drugs
Most cases of acne are not related to medication. However, acne can be triggered by the use of certain medications, especially those containing androgenic steroids, corticosteroids, barbiturates, DHEA, and anticonvulsants.
When drugs can trigger acne, the most appropriate step to overcome it is to stop taking the drug. Usually, acne will decrease although it takes longer. However, some people are unable to stop treatment because it is important to their survival.
How to Prevent Acne?
Acne treatment can be done by taking prescribed medications or creams as well as self-care medications. Depending on the type and severity, acne requires several treatments that you can do yourself at home. There are several suggested home remedies that make use of natural ingredients. Studies have found that tea tree oil can help reduce mild to moderate acne.
In addition, you can also use tea extract ingredients called polyphenols. This content is useful for reducing excess sebum production that causes acne. To soothe your skin, you can use a moisturizer that contains aloe vera.
If you experience some symptoms such as red or pus-filled bumps accompanied by itching or burning, then it’s time to see an experienced dermatologist. The doctor will perform an examination and diagnosis to determine the most appropriate type of acne treatment.
Cleansing your face twice daily is important to remove dirt, excess oil, and dead skin cells. This action needs to be done by anyone who has acne or not. Wash your face gently with warm water and a mild facial cleanser. Rinse your face thoroughly and dry with a soft cloth or towel.
If you have to wear makeup or skin care products, make sure they’re listed as non-comedogenic on the label. Noncomedogenic means it does not cause acne. Use a moisturizer to hydrate the skin and minimize dryness.
Hands that frequently hold or touch something have the potential to spread bacteria. Therefore, it is important to keep it away from your face. Also avoid picking acne with your fingers because it can cause inflammation and infection. If you go outside, make sure you wear a sunscreen with SPF 30 to protect your skin from ultraviolet radiation.
