Overview of Acne
Acne, the definitive
bane of many an adolescent complexion, is in fact a common skin condition
that affects individuals of all ages.
It manifests in a wide range of types, from tiny lesions of excess
skin material to inflamed boils seeping with pus, and can emerge on the
face, the arms, the back and other parts of one’s body.
Acne originates when dead skin cells, mixed with sebum, the natural
oil produced by skin, accumulate within a follicle or pore.
Normally, the body can push this combination out for it to be
expelled, but when this does not happen, the mixture becomes like molasses,
sticky and dry. Aside from
making it more difficult for your body to remove, the clogging substances
attracts bacteria, which in turn instigate the production of white blood
cells in order to fight the infection.
This entire convoluted mess eventually causes the growth of acne,
which worsens and leaves permanent blemishes if left untreated.
The different types of
acne are produced depending on where the sebum and bacteria become trapped
within the follicle. Whiteheads
form when the mixture accumulates beneath the surface of one’s skin, causing
the raised white lesions to appear.
When the mixture is not as congested and is able to drain slowly from
the surface, a blackhead forms instead, colored as such because of melanin,
which is responsible for intensity of skin color.
Greater formations of bacteria and sebum that also involve pus
eventually develop into pimples, nodules and cysts.
Fundamentally, all
acne is the result of the clogging of a hair follicle or skin pore, but
scientists have yet to determine why the obstruction starts in the first
place. They have, however,
managed to identify a number of factors that contribute to the onset of
acne, such as genetic predisposition, hormonal surges and imbalances,
dietary and vitamin considerations, and external factors like climate.
Hormones play the biggest role in acne production during adolescence,
forming due to an increase in the amount of male sex hormones in one’s body,
regardless of one’s gender. As
one’s hormones stabilize by the early twenties, many cases of acne tend to
diminish, if not vanish altogether.
However, lasting damage in the form of acne scars can still occur if
the adolescent concerned does not attempt some effort at managing the
outbreaks, whether through a cleansing regimen or the application of
remedial medicines.
Studies of researchers
into acne reveal that deficiencies in certain vitamins, like vitamin A and
E, are common in those who suffer from severe acne.
Dirt actually has much less of an interaction with skin where acne is
concerned, as dirt plays no significant role in acne formation.
One’s consumption habits also may be important to the onset of acne,
as products that are milk-based may stimulate the hormone production that
leads to an acne outbreak. Also,
foods that are heavy in carbohydrates, especially those with high glycemic
index, apparently boost the production of enzymes that are responsible for
sebum management, and thus lead to more acne.
This may be one of the best reasons yet to skip a sweet dessert after
one’s hearty meal.
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