What is Acne?
Acne is one of the inflammatory and chronic skin diseases that turn into blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, nodules, and cysts. This disease is not so dangerous but can surely leave deep scars on your skin. Our human skin contains pores that are connected to oil glands present under the skin. This connection is made through follicles that are tiny sacs that secrete and produce liquid.
The oil glands under the skin produce a liquid called sebum that carries the dead skin cells. This sebum is then transported to the surface of the skin through the follicles. In case this passage is blocked, oil builds up under the skin causing pimples. These pimples usually appear on the face, neck, back, shoulders, and chest. The main reason behind the cause of acne is that sebum, dead cells and the hair that appears from the pore clump up to cause infection with bacteria that result in swelling. This, in turn, produces pimples when the skin starts to breakout.
Causes of Acne:
Many major factors trigger acne, but the very reason is the hype in the androgen levels. Androgen is one of the important hormones present in our body that rises when puberty begins. This hormone is converted into estrogen in women. The rise in the androgen level causes oil glands to produce extra sebum, and this excess sebum causes the skin to breakout causing bacterial infection in the form of pimples. Some other causes might be:
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Greasy Cosmetics.
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Eating too much oily food.
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Medication that may contain lithium and androgen.
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Menstruation.
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Stress.
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Hormonal change.
Types of Acne:
Acne or pimples vary in size, shape, color, and level of soreness.
Few of the most popular types of Acne are:
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Blackheads: They are visible, tiny and black colored acne that appears on the surface of the skin.
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Whitehead: These are small and stay under the skin causing a tiny white spot.
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Pustules: They have a red base and a yellow top filled with pus. They are visible on the skin.
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Papules: These are small pink bumps that are visible on the skin.
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Cysts: These are very painful pimples filled with pus and are visible on the skin. They usually cause scars on the skin.
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Nodules: They are solid, large and painful pimples that hide deep in the skin and are visible on the skin.
Tips to Prevent and Manage Acne:
With every coming pain, there is always prevention. Following are some tips to look after your skin to handle acne and understand its prevention:
- Always use a mild soap if you are prone to acne and wash your face not more than twice every day.
- Do not burst or scrub your pimples as such a routine will cause more infection.
- Popping up pimples may cause deep scars.
- Always stay cool and hydrated. Try to drink lots of water to avoid acne in future.
- Avoid touching your face.
- Use oil-free cosmetics to avoid future acne.
- Always wash your hands and apply good quality creams or lotions on to your skin.
- Avoid sun exposure, as it may cause your skin to breakout.
- Stay stress-free as it is one of the major reasons to cause acne.
- Eat clean and avoid oily and junk food. Excess oil in your food can cause intense acne.
