ACNE

Most people experience acne, a common skin ailment, at some point in their lives. It results in blemishes, greasy skin, and occasionally hot or uncomfortable skin to the touch.

Acne most commonly develops on the:

• Face – this affects almost everyone with acne
• Back – this affects more than half of people with acne
• Chest – this affects about 15% of people with acne

 

Types of spots

There are 6 main types of spot caused by acne:

• Blackheads – small black or yellowish bumps that develop on the skin; they're not filled with dirt, but are black because the inner lining of the hair follicle produces pigmentation (colouring)
• Whiteheads – have a similar appearance to blackheads, but may be firmer and won't empty when squeezed
• Papules – small red bumps that may feel tender or sore
• Pustules – similar to papules, but have a white tip in the centre, caused by a build-up of pus
• Nodules – large hard lumps that build up beneath the surface of the skin and can be painful
• Cysts – the most severe type of spot caused by acne; they're large pus-filled lumps that look similar to boils and carry the greatest risk of causing permanent scarring.               

What can i do if i have acne?

The self-help techniques below may be useful:

• Avoid washing the affected skin more than twice each day. Frequent washing might aggravate symptoms by irritating the skin.
• Use lukewarm water and a light soap or cleanser to wash the afflicted area. Water that is too hot or cold might exacerbate acne.
• Try not to squeeze or "clean out" blackheads or spots. This may worsen them and leave behind scars that are permanent.
• Do not overuse cosmetics and makeup. Make use of non-comedogenic water-based products (this means the product is less likely to block the pores in your skin)
• Remove all makeup before going to bed.
• Use a fragrance-free, water-based emollient if dry skin is an issue.
• While regular exercise won't help your acne, it will make you happier and more confident. After working out, take a shower as soon as you can because sweat might aggravate acne.
• Avoid having your hair fall across your face by frequently washing your hair.

Acne cannot be cured, but it can be managed with the right medication. Pharmacies have a variety of creams, lotions, and gels for treating spots. Asking your pharmacist for guidance if you get acne is a smart idea.

Don't expect results right away; treatments can take up to three months to take effect. When they do begin to operate, the outcomes are frequently favourable.

  

When to get professional advice

Most acne cases are not serious, and a pharmacist can treat them. It may be necessary to treat your acne with antibiotics or harsher lotions that are only accessible with a prescription if it is severe or occurs on your chest and back. If you need to see your doctor for additional therapy, your pharmacist can provide you advice on that.

To prevent scarring, any nodules or cysts you acquire must be carefully treated by your doctor. Avoid the urge to pluck or crush the places because doing so might leave scars that are permanent.

Why do i have acne?

Although it can begin at any age, acne is most frequently associated with the changes in hormone levels throughout puberty.

The skin's grease glands adjacent to hair follicles release more oil when certain hormones are present (abnormal sebum).

A normally benign skin bacterium called p. Acnes changes its behaviour in response to this aberrant sebum, becoming more aggressive and producing pus and inflammation.

Additionally, the hormones thicken the inner lining of the hair follicle, resulting in pore obstruction (opening of the hair follicles). The skin cannot be cleaned to remove this obstruction.

Other possible causes

A family history of acne is well known. It is likely that you will have acne if both your parents did.

Women may experience flare-ups of acne due to hormonal changes, such as those that take place during the menstrual cycle or pregnancy.

No proof exists that food, bad hygiene, or sexual activity contribute to acne.

Who's affected?

Younger people and teenagers frequently suffer from acne. Acne affects 80% of persons between the ages of 11 and 30.

Ages 14 to 17 for girls and 16 to 19 for boys are when acne is most prevalent.

Most people struggle with acne intermittently for years before their symptoms start to go better as they age. When a person is in their mid-twenties, acne frequently goes away.

Acne can sometimes persist until adulthood. Over the age of 25, acne affects 5% of women and 1% of males.

Causes of acne

When hair follicles, which are minuscule openings in the skin, are clogged, acne develops.

Sebaceous glands are tiny glands that are located close to the skin's surface. The glands are joined to the hair follicles, which are tiny openings in your skin from which a single hair emerges.

To prevent drying out, sebaceous glands moisturise the skin and hair. They accomplish this by creating sebum, an oily material.

The glands start to produce too much sebum when acne is present. Dead skin cells and extra sebum combine to form a clog inside the follicle.

A whitehead develops when a blocked follicle is located just below the skin's surface. Alternatively, the plugged follicle can be open to the skin, creating a blackhead.