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Acne Facts & Myths
By peace | November 30, 2006
Acne is inflammation of the sebaceous glands in the skin. When the pores of the skin become clogged, the oil the sebaceous gland secretes becomes trapped. The plug causes the follicle to bulge (causing whiteheads), and the top of the plug may darken (causing blackheads).
Acne is not just a problem for teenagers, it can affect people from ages 10 through 40. It is not unusual for women, in particular, to develop acne in their mid-to-late 20’s, even if they have not had breakouts in years (or ever). Acne can appear as any of the following;
* congested pores,
* whiteheads,
* blackheads,
* pimples,
* pustules, or
* cysts (deep pimples).
These blemishes occur wherever there are many oil (sebaceous) glands, mainly on the face, chest, and back.
Causes Of Acne
Acne first occurs during puberty when male hormones called androgens increase in both males and females and stimulate the sebaceous (oil) glands. These glands are found in the face, upper back and chest. The glands produce an oily substance called “sebum” that sometimes combines with dead skin cells to form a plug in the follicles, those tiny canals that contain a fine hair. Bacteria starts to grow, the plugged follicle breaks down, and the result is a comedone, or the acne lesion known as a “pimple”. Comedones that stay beneath the skin are called whiteheads, while comedones that reach the surface of the skin and erupt are called blackheads. Both can stick around for a long time, and they can sometimes leave deep pits or scars behind.
While changes during adolescence appear to be one cause of acne, hormonal changes related to pregnancy, birth control pills (either starting or stopping them), and genetics may also cause acne.
Some factors that don’t usually cause acne, at least by themselves are:
- Heredity: With the exception of very severe acne, most people do not have the problem exactly as their parents did. Almost everyone has some acne at some point in their life.
- Food: All over the world, parents tell teens to avoid pizza, chocolate, greasy and fried foods, and junk food. While these foods may not be good for overall health, they don’t cause acne or make it worse.
- Dirt: Some individuals have more “oily” skin than others (as mentioned above, “Blackheads” are oxidized oil, not dirt). Sweat does not cause acne, therefore, it is not necessary to shower instantly after exercise for fear that sweat will clog pores. On the other hand, excessive washing can dry and irritate the skin.
- Stress: Some people get so upset by their pimples that they pick at them and make them last longer. Stress, however, does not play much of a direct role in causing acne.
- Hormones: Some women break out cyclically, but most women (and men) don’t. Some oral contraceptive pills may help relieve acne, but unless a woman has abnormal menstrual periods and excessive hair growth, it’s unlikely that hormones play much of a role in causing acne.
- Cosmetics: Most cosmetic and skin care products are not pore-clogging (“comedogenic.”) Of the many available brands, those which are listed as “water-based” or “oil-free” are generally a better choice.
In occasional patients, contributing factors may be:
- Pressure: In some patients, pressure from helmets, chinstraps, collars, and the like can aggravate acne.
- Drugs: Some medications may cause or worsen acne, such as those containing iodides, bromides, or oral or injected steroids (either the medically prescribed prednisone or the steroids bodybuilders or athletes take.) Most cases of acne, however, are not drug-related.
- Occupations: In some jobs, exposure to industrial products like cutting oils may produce acne.
ACNE MYTHS
- Eating chocolate and greasy foods—like French fries—causes breakouts: Dermatologists say there’s no evidence that sugary or fried snacks affects your skin. If, however, you find that you tend to break out more after eating a certain food (for example, some people find that the iodine in foods like shellfish and sushi causes breakouts), eliminate that food from your diet and see if your skin clears up. Also keep in mind that while junk food can’t be directly blamed for breakouts, healthy skin (not to mention a healthy body) requires nutrition from a well-balanced diet.
- Getting a tan helps clear up acne: While catching rays may temporarily help dry up oiliness and give skin a more even appearance, it’s not worth the short-term benefit. Unprotected tanning leads to premature aging and puts you at a majorly-increased risk for skin cancer.
- The black stuff inside blackheads is deep-down dirt: Contrary to popular belief, the black inside a blackhead is not dirt, so it can’t be scrubbed away. Dermatologists say the dark stuff is probably a combo of dead skin cells and sebum (oil). Unlike a whitehead, a blackhead is a clogged pore that is open at skin’s surface, so the material inside oxidizes and turns darker when it’s exposed to the air.
- Acne medicine should only be dotted right on top of the spot: Dotting on a spot-treatment may work for reducing the appearance of an existing blemish, but it won’t prevent new spots from cropping up unless it’s applied daily all over the areas where you tend to break out.
- Toothpaste or hemorrhoid cream works just as well on a pimple as acne medicine: While alternative treatments may help dry out a pimple or make it less visible, certain ingredients in these products can irritate broken-out skin. Save face by sticking to the stuff designed for blemishes.
- If you scrub your face more often, your skin will be clearer: Treating breakouts is a case when more isn’t always more. Too-vigorous or too-frequent cleansing—say, more than twice a day (or three times if you exercise)—can actually irritate acne-prone skin and make the situation worse.
Topics: All Posts, Man's health, Woman's Health |
January 25th, 2008 at 2:02 pm
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