What is acne?
Acne, or "acne vulgaris", is a skin condition characteristic, mainly of oily skin, which causes the sebaceous glands to produce excess sebum. It is probably the most common skin disease that can affect anyone.
What are the most common causes of acne?
Acne results from an excess production of fat and the accumulation of dead skin cells that irritate the hair follicles and bacterial accumulation in the middle of this fat and dead cells.
There are different factors that cause this process:
- Hormonal changes: very common in adolescence, girls and women 2 to 7 days before the menstrual period and in pregnancy
- Genetics: There are those who inherit a genetic predisposition to acne and this factor can influence the severity of acne flare-ups
- Environmental causes: Exposure to pollution can affect the skin and clog pores. The accumulation of these impurities promotes bacterial growth, which in turn leads to the appearance of pimples. That's why it's important to cleanse your face at the end of each day
- Other diseases: Some diseases are associated with an increased risk of developing acne and its severity, such as endocrinological diseases, for example polycystic ovary syndrome
- Taking some medications: Several medications used to treat other diseases induce acneiform breakouts
Is there more than one type of acne?
Yes. Acne can have several presentations, which are classified according to the type, predominance, and location of the lesions.
Some examples of forms of acne are:
- Common: the most common, and the one we are dealing with here
- Conglobata: a severe form of nodular acne that occurs mainly in young males, and in which large lesions may appear
- Fulminant: it is a type of acute, febrile, ulcerative acne that is characterized by the sudden appearance of abscesses
- Neonatal: a condition that affects many newborns but in most cases eventually disappears without the need for treatment
- Childhood: type of acne that persists after the neonatal period or appears between the 3rd and 6th month of life up to 4 years
- excoriated: characterized by relatively discrete acne lesions, especially women, with emotional disturbances
- Mechanical: type of acne associated with wearing clothing that is too tight to the body, due to skin irritation and/or occlusion
- Cosmetics: This type of acne is caused by the use of cosmetics and is more frequent in women aged 20 to 40
- Occupational: Varies according to the substances some workers have contact with
What are the general symptoms of acne?
Acne vulgaris manifests itself through:
- Non-inflammatory lesions: the common blackheads (comedones) that result from the filling of hair follicles by fat, cells, and bacteria
- Inflammatory lesions: these correspond to pimples (papules), which are more prominent, red and painful, due to the presence of infection in the hair follicle
In the most severe cases of acne, larger lesions are formed, and can lead to permanent scars, such as:
- pimples with pus (pustules)
- Nodules
- Cysts
Which areas of the body are most affected by this condition?
Acne mainly affects the face, neck, chest, back and shoulders, since it is in these regions that there is a higher concentration of sebaceous follicles.
Who is most likely to have acne?
Everyone can suffer from acne, however the age groups most affected by acne vulgaris are between the ages of 10 and 24.
How serious is this condition?
The severity of acne is very variable, but it has an important psychological impact with decreased self-esteem, and can even lead to social withdrawal or depression.
Is acne a contagious disease?
Nope. Although bacteria are involved in its appearance, acne is not a contagious disease and is therefore not transmissible to other people.
Does diet have any influence on acne?
So far, scientific studies have found no relationship between food and acne, even those that many young people associate with the appearance of pimples, such as chocolate and fatty foods.
However, it has been proven that a diverse and balanced diet has benefits for overall health and also for acne.
Does poor hygiene cause or aggravate acne?
Nope. The biological reactions that trigger acne occur in the deeper layers of the skin rather than on the surface. Hygiene can be perfect and acne can still be severe.
Does sun exposure improve acne?
Moderate sun exposure and tanning appear to be associated with transient improvement in acne, but there is no conclusive evidence that prolonged exposure to sunlight improves acne in the medium or long term.
In addition, unprotected or intense sun exposure can cause significant aggravation of inflammatory lesions, so adolescents with acne should use sunscreen, giving preference to "oil-free" products and respecting the indications on sun exposure and protection.
What precautions should I take if I have acne?
It is possible, with some measures and precautions, to prevent the appearance or worsening of acne vulgaris. Thus, it is recommended that:
- Wash your face twice a day and your body once
- Use gentle washing products that clean debris and excessive oil without drying out the skin. Use lukewarm water, as if it's too hot or too cold it can be irritating
- Completely remove make-up before going to bed
- Prefer products (moisturizers, makeup, and sunscreens) that don't contain grease
- Avoid squeezing pimples, as this can aggravate local inflammation and cause permanent scarring
- Choose not to wear dense bangs of oily hair, as they can aggravate forehead acne due to the greenhouse effect (heat, oiliness and sweat)
- Do not wear clothing that is excessively warm, tight-fitting, and rich in lycra or nylon, as it can aggravate trunk acne
In which cases should I go to the doctor?
It is recommended that adolescents with this type of lesion be observed and diagnosed by a health professional, as there are several skin diseases that can resemble acne.
The indication of the treatment plan should also be established by a health professional.
What is the recommended treatment for acne?
If the acne is mild and the condition does not bother you, the use of dermo-cosmetic products suitable for acne-prone skin may be sufficient.
In addition, the doctor may recommend the use of topical medications (applied to the skin) and/or oral use in certain cases. For example, if acne:
- is moderate or severe with the presence of inflamed lesions or comedones in significant numbers
- is mild, but not improved with well-selected dermo-cosmetic products used regularly
- there are any signs of acne scarring
- is causing emotional or socialization problems
Is acne curable?
Although acne cannot be cured, available treatments can control the disease. In addition, being a situation often related to the hormonal profile of adolescence, it is natural that it becomes extinct with advancing age.