Acne, or “acne vulgaris”, is an oily skin condition where skin’s sebaceous glands produce excess sebum. This causes pores to become clogged with dead cells and sebum. Sometimes, the process stops there, resulting in blackheads and whiteheads. This is known as “retentional acne”. In more severe cases, bacteria multiply in the trapped sebum and cause inflammation in the skin, resulting in superficial pimples called pustules, or deeper, hard and painful lesions called nodules and cysts. This is called “inflammatory acne”.
In acne, an inbalance in hormones called androgens cause the sebaceous gland to produce lots of oil. The same hormones cause increased production of skin cells lining pores. Pores then get clogged with a mixture of cells and sebum, becoming a breeding ground for acne-causing bacteria. This results in several types of pimple ranging from red spots to pustules or deep, painful cysts.
Acne is essentially caused by hormones. In females, this can be treated with birth control, also known as the oral contraceptive pill (OCP), which rebalances your hormones in favour of clear skin. See your doctor to find out if you are a candidate for this treatment, as it is not suitable for everyone.
Post acne scars are very hard to treat. Certain in-office treatments can help such as microdermabrasion, chemical peels, laser and microneedling. In people with blemishes, post acne scars should be prevented from forming in the first place with suitable medications such as antibiotics or isotretinoin. Ask also your pharmasists about an expert daily skincare such as the EFFACLAR range.
Mild acne can be managed with the right dermocosmetic solutions. Gently cleanse skin twice daily with a micellar water or foaming cleansing gel. Follow with daily skincare with active ingredients like salicylic acid, niacinamide and piroctone olamine. If these measures are not enough, see your dermatologist to ask about medical treatments such as retinoids, antibiotics and isotretinoin.
Acne is a very common benign condition and the main reason for dermatological consultations. This is a condition that affects approximately 60% of adolescents but also at least one third of women over 35. It is therefore a very common condition and can sometimes have a marked effect on the quality of life. It is found mainly on the face but also on the back chest, and sometimes on the neck and shoulders. Acne often precedes puberty; it can be one of the first signs of puberty and often affects boys aged between 14 and 17 and girls a little later on, between 16 and 19. It is a condition that can last for years and become chronic or it may only last for a few months. You therefore sometimes simply need to be patient and follow the treatment correctly because it may take a long time to clear up.
Firstly, heredity which in some cases is extremely important. The symptoms associated with hereditary acne should be studied especially anything indicating a hormonal blood disorder such as excessive hairiness menstrual disorders, or being overweight. Other factors that need to be investigated are whether the patient is taking medication such as oral corticosteroids or certain psychotropic and anti-epileptic drugs. Other factors that come into play include stress, environmental factors humid climates, pollution and a number of controversial substances present in the environment that may affect the acne. Acne is in no way a contraindication for using make-up. However, the make-up used should be non-comedogenic and dermatologically tested. If not, it may exacerbate the acne.
Safety standards beyond international cosmetics regulations.
The primary cause of acne is hormonal: The sex organs (testes in males and ovaries in females) produce hormones called androgens which send the sebaceous glands into oil overdrive, producing large amounts of clogging sebum. There re, however, several other contributing factors to acne, which include UV rays, pollution, diet and stress. Because acne is primarily a hormone-driven condition, it is most common in teenagers during puberty, but it also affects increasing numbers of adults, particularly adult women during their menstrual cycle.
Imperfections can be managed with prescription-only medications. When blemishes gets lighter, expert over-the-counter dermocosmetics, or a combination of the two also help. If skin blemishes are affecting your confidence, it’s important to take action rather than suffer in silence. With the right medical advice and skincare, skin can be progressively cleared for a long-lasting fresh-faced appearance.
In this section, you will learn all about the causes and symptoms of oily and acne-prone skin, plus how to take care of it with top product recommendations. Swipe to discover articles on both teenage and adult acne-prone skin, in addition to our expert tips on how to cover up with imperfections-friendly make-up.
