Acne is inflammation of the sebaceous glands which produce grease and are attached to hairs. The grease is there to help hairs move.

HOW DOES IT HAPPEN?

There are 3 steps that result in acne :

1. excessive sebum ( grease production) influenced by the hormone Testosterone. Although this is a male hormone it is present in small amounts in women. Especially during puberty your hormones can be "all over the place".
2. 2.The excess sebum production results in the gland ducts ( drain pipes) becoming blocked and the grease accumulates ( black heads and whiteheads).
3. As a consequence of the stagnant grease ..bacteria has a chance to infect the stuff ,cause inflammation and BINGO ..you got an akka .

WHO SHOULD BE TREATED ?

Anyone who feels their acne is a problem should not feel embarrassed to seek help. Its not viewed by professionals to be vain or unmacho to want clear skin. Some times if left untreated acne can cause permanent scarring. Acne is NOT something you just have to put up with as a stage you are going through . There is treatment available and it is worth talking with your local pharmacist or seeing a doctor about it if you are concernerned!

HOW IS IT TREATED ?

Knowing how it occurs means we can attack it from various angles :

1. Unblock the pores : start with creams that the pharmacist can recommend lots available over the counter. If not improving there are prescription medications from your doctor like Retin A and alike which can break down the kereatin plugs
2. Kill the bacteria :…..antibiotics : topical ( creams) or internal (pills).

 

3. Decrease the sebum production : The problem is that this is due to testosterone activity and so dont really want to decrease this hormone’s activity in males…..but in females we can use several lines of attack 1 counteract with oestrogen ( the pill: especially DIANE which has as part of its make up an "anti androgen" component cyproterone acetate. However there is available for men /and women with real problems :isotretinoin (Roaccutane): thisdrug is powerful it does work BUT has guidelines for prescription /side effects AND CAN CAUSE SERIOUS PROBLEMS TO THE UNBORN FOETUS IF TAKEN WHIILE PREGNANT. As a consequence it is insisted upon that the female recipient MUST be on contraception.

* Does poor diet cause acne?

NO :You see your mother was wrong when she said "tsk tsk all those pimples are because you eat too much pizza and chocolate"…its the other statement she often said that should apply " ooooo its your hormones dear"

* How come adults still get acne …and women ?

Adults can get acne because of the above reasons

But also because Testosterone floats around in the blood stream attached to protein boats . When they are attached they are fairly inactive. When they jump ship and float free they can attach to docking ports on the sebaceous glands and start to rev up the sebum production. This is a common reason for female acne ..ie not that hey have more testosterone than other women ….they may have less "boats" . a blood test can answer this one . And there is treatment ( see below).

Also other things can cause the glands to block like using too much greasy stuff on your skin and not removing it ( ie forgetting to take make up off )

*Some people don’t only have it on their face WHY ?

Because these glands are attached to hairs all over the body : Interestingly people who work with petrol based products ( especially if they wear shorts) can get these pimple on their legs . the grease in the petrol products can block the glands.

*Are Blackheads due to dirt in the pores from greasy hair or touching my face too much ?

NO: And washing with hot soapy water wont dissolve them. Keeping your skin clean without over scrubbing is recommended generally though.

*What about sunlight?

YES: ultraviolet light can help …but the you have other risks associated ..aging /cancer etc.!!!

*What about squeezing blackheads ?