- Acne can generally be divided into four degrees of severity that assess its complexity:
- The basic processes observed in the development of efflorescence include:
- Due to the factors provoking the occurrence of eruptions, acne is divided into:
- Based on the Dermatology textbook, we can also distinguish:
- Why do you get Acne?
- Common causes of Acne:
- Acne during puberty and as an adult
- Sebum is the root of all evil
- Does our lifestyle influence Acne?
- Diagnosis and treatment
- Treatment methods
- Conclusion
Acne is a skin disorder that primarily appears in the face, back, and chest. It often appears as blackheads, red bumps, and pimples and is caused by an inflammatory process that occurs in and around the skin’s sebaceous glands. The pimples can vary considerably in size and severity and some cases can develop into large and painful cysts or nodules that form in deeper layers of the skin.
Acne vulgaris is one of the most common chronic inflammatory dermatoses. It occurs in 80–100% of patients between 11 and 30 years of age. It may also affect patients from other age groups, including newborns, infants, and mature adults. The lesions are located in seborrheic areas, mainly on the face (99%), back (90%) and chest (78%). The primary eruption is a microcomedo, invisible to the naked eye, which is the starting point for other inflammatory lesions.
Acne can generally be divided into four degrees of severity that assess its complexity:
- White or blackheads: This constitutes the mildest form of acne and involves superficial blemishes without inflammation.
- Papulopustular acne: This represents a moderate form of acne where there is inflammation and the presence of pustules and bumps.
- Cystic or deep acne: This is a more severe form of acne where deeper cysts and inflammation are more prevalent and can cause pain and scarring.
- Acne conglobata: This is a particularly severe form of acne that involves deep inflammation and can lead to the formation of large and painful abscesses and fistulas.
The basic processes observed in the development of efflorescence include:
- Overproduction and changes in the composition of sebum,
- Colonization of sebaceous glands by
- Cutibacterium acnes
- Pilosebaceous
- Concentrations
- Excess androgens and excessive response of androgen receptors to normal androgen
- Lymphocytes and macrophages accumulate in subclinical lesions, producing inflammatory
- Cytokines and develop inflammation, which is visible at every stage of acne development
Due to the factors provoking the occurrence of eruptions, acne is divided into:
- Occupational
- Tropical
- Mechanical
- Drug-induced
- cosmetic and endocrinopathies-related
Based on the Dermatology textbook, we can also distinguish:
- Acne in post-pubertal women,
- Neonatal acne
- Infant acne
- Acne in younger children
- Acne in pre-pubertal children
- Acne associated with genetically determined disease syndromes
Why do you get Acne?
Acne vulgaris, which is also called pimples or impure skin, is mainly because the dead skin cells do not peel off the skin, but instead get stuck in the pores of the skin and thereby form a plug. This blockage leads to the formation of blackheads (comedones). These comedones can become infected with a bacteria called propionibacterium, which is seen as redness, irritation, and yellowish fluid from the comedones.
A pimple is thus formed because of this skin bacteria that feed on skin fat. During the breakdown of all the extra skin fat, waste substances, and fatty acids are formed, these irritate the sebaceous glands and form inflammation and thus pimples.
Acne patients typically have poor exfoliation of the dead skin cells in the top layer (stratum corneum), further clogging the pores. The sebum cannot come out, but the overproduction of sebum continues. This causes a sore bump to form until the sebaceous gland is destroyed and the sebum seeps into the skin to form a pimple.
Many women experience acne when they stop taking birth control pills or when their production of estrogen decreases. As the level of estrogen decreases, the androgens will become dominant and activate the sebaceous glands.
Common causes of Acne:
- Genes (acne is hereditary)
- Wrong skin care products
- Stress
- Medical side effects
- Lack of sleep
- Wrong food habit
- Menstruation
- Birth control
- Pregnancy
- Menopause
- Fat creams
- Birth control pills
Acne during puberty and as an adult
Almost all young people get acne during puberty. During puberty, the body produces more male sex hormone, which stimulates the sebaceous glands to produce skin fat. When the sebaceous glands become clogged, blackheads and inflammatory reactions occur. Some people find that they still get pimples as adults. Adult acne is not abnormal but is very common. In addition, cosmetics, greasy creams, and birth control pills can also contribute to acne or pimples.
Sebum is the root of all evil
The body’s male sex hormone (androgen) increases greatly during puberty in both girls and boys. The hormone stimulates the sebaceous glands to produce more sebum. As the production of skin fat increases, the exit of the sebaceous glands will be narrowed, resulting in the skin fat finding it difficult to get out
Does our lifestyle influence Acne?
A healthy lifestyle and diet as well as plenty of sleep can stabilize the stress hormones in the body. A healthy lifestyle and a well-balanced diet significantly impact our overall health and well-being, including the condition of our skin.
One of the factors that has attracted particular attention is sugar intake. Some evidence shows that sugar can hurt acne. This is because sugar can lead to fluctuations in insulin levels in the body, which in turn can affect the activity of the sebaceous glands. Increased sebum production can lead to oily skin, which in turn increases the risk of acne breakouts.
Diagnosis and treatment
If in most cases you can deal with ordinary acne on your own, then with acne the situation is much more difficult. Self-treatment is unlikely to help here, so at the first signs of the disease, it is best to immediately consult a dermatologist, who will make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe the necessary medications or procedures to correct this condition. It is important to understand that acne treatment is a rather long and complex process that can take many months. However, remember that it will bring results if you strictly follow the doctor’s advice and do not self-medicate.
Treatment methods
There are two main areas of treatment for people with acne – medication and cosmetics. In the first case, patients have been prescribed medications with antibacterial, sebum-regulating, or keratolytic effects, which help normalize sebum production and get rid of the inflammatory process. In severe cases, your doctor may prescribe systemic retinoids, which are known to fight inflammation. Cosmetological treatment can include all kinds of peelings, cleansing, laser resurfacing, and other procedures that help get rid of rashes or their consequences (pigmentation and post-acne marks)
Benzoyl peroxide
Benzoyl peroxide is an oxidizing compound, the antibacterial effect is achieved by generating free radicals that oxidize bacterial proteins. It works mainly against Staphylococcus epidermidis bacteria. Additionally, it has kerato- and comedolytic effects. It is successfully used both in monotherapy and in combination therapy. In combination with retinoids, an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory component is obtained.
Azelaic acid
Azelaic acid has mild comedolytic, keratolytic, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties. The mechanism of action of azelaic acid in the treatment of acne may be related to its inhibitory effect on mitochondrial oxidoreductase and DNA synthesis. Its hypopigmentation properties are used to reduce post-inflammatory discolorations.
It is used alone or in combination with other drugs. It is usually well tolerated but may cause irritation or excessive dryness. It is successfully used in supportive therapy.
Salicylic Acid
Salicylic acid is especially effective in combating clogged pores and abnormal bacterial growth. It is keratolytic (removes dead cells and softens the skin, helping prevent clogged pores) and comedolytic (dissolves comedones). Salicylic acid reduces the appearance of acne, preventing the formation of new breakouts.
Hormonal Treatment
It involves the administration of an estrogen-progestin pill with anti-androgenic activity, capable of providing contraceptive coverage and reducing the production of androgens, the primary cause of acne. It is also possible to use other molecules with anti-androgenic activity without contraceptive activity. The use of these drugs can have various side effects and their effectiveness ceases when they are discontinued. They must be used by gynecologists or endocrinologists experienced in these types of treatment.
Conclusion
acne treatment is crucial for preventing marks and maintaining healthy, radiant skin. It is important to use a combination of appropriate medical and skin care treatments, as well as eating a healthy diet, to control acne symptoms and improve the appearance of your skin. If acne marks have already formed, there are treatments available to help reduce them and improve the appearance of the skin. It is important to speak with a dermatologist to get a personalized recommendation and effective treatment plan.
