The Basics of Acne Revealed
Do you have questions like these?
- What causes acne?
- What are the different types of acne?
- Why do I get acne?
- What makes my acne worse or better?
- What treatment options do I have for acne?
- How can I keep my acne under control?
- What specific things can I do to take care of or prevent acne?
If you do have these questions, you’re definitely not alone. These are questions we are asked all the time as Utah dermatologists.
Over the next few weeks, we’ll answer these questions in depth for you.
Acne is a skin problem that is very common. It shows up as outbreaks of bumps called pimples or zits. These usually appear on the face, neck, back, chest, and shoulders. Acne can be a source of emotional distress, and severe cases can lead to permanent scarring.
What causes acne?
Acne begins when the pores in the skin become clogged and can no longer drain sebum (an oil made by the sebaceous glands that protects and moisturizes the skin.) The sebum build-up causes the surrounding hair follicle to swell.
Hair follicles swollen with sebum are called comedones. If the sebum stays beneath the skin, the comedones produce white bumps called whiteheads. If the sebum reaches the surface of the skin, the comedones produce darkened bumps called blackheads. This black discoloration is due to sebum darkening when it is exposed to air. It is not due to dirt. Both whiteheads and blackheads may stay in the skin for a long time.
Bacteria called Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) that normally live on the top of the skin can enter the clogged pores and infect the sebum. This causes the skin to become swollen, red, and painful.
Infected sebaceous glands may burst, releasing sebum and bacteria into the surrounding skin, creating additional inflammation. In severe cases, larger nodules and cysts may form in the deeper layers of the skin.
What are the different types of acne?
Acne can be categorized by its severity:
- Mild acne: a few scattered whiteheads or blackheads with minimal inflammation.
- Moderate acne: a denser collection of whiteheads or blackheads as well as red, inflamed, pus-filled lesions.
- Severe acne: also called nodular or cystic acne, describes widespread and deep lesions that are painful, inflamed, and red. This form of acne is likely to lead to scarring if left untreated.
Why do I get acne?
Anyone can get acne, but acne in teenagers, whose surging levels of androgen (a type of hormone) create larger and more active sebaceous glands. Acne may continue for people in their twenties and thirties, and even women over forty. Acne also appears more commonly in people whose parents had acne.
More to come on Acne Basics
These are the topics will cover next time about acne causes and treatments in Utah.
- What makes my acne worse or better?
- What treatment options do I have for acne?
- How can I keep my acne under control?
- What specific things can I do to take care of or prevent acne?
