Skin Care

I have an oily skin, due to hormone imbalance, lack of sleep and stress at work so I always have acne in my face. I have to regularly visit my derma for treatment but after a few weeks acne is coming back. Sometimes I become so crazy on finding the right medicine to get rid of this to my life.

Currently, I use toner, and tretinoin to treat it. Regular cleaning, a good sleep, less stress, and regular facial prevents it from coming.

I found some information that might help for those like me who need some advice.

Acne Treatment

The Condition
Treatments Available
FAQs
The Condition

All forms of acne start with one basic lesion known as the comedo. A comedo is an enlarged hair follicle that is clogged with oil and bacteria. The comedo, which is invisible to the naked eye, is just waiting underneath the surface of your skin until certain conditions lead to its growth into an inflamed lesion. Bacteria thrive inside the swollen follicle as the skin continues to produce more oil. Inflammation of the surrounding skin increases while your white blood cells fight against the bacteria.

The different types of acne are:

1. Non-inflammatory Acne

Closed comedo or whitehead: The lesion is called a closed comedo or a whitehead when the clogged follicle remains underneath the surface of the skin. These lesions in the skin usually come into sight as small whitish bumps.

Open comedo or blackhead: An open comedo or a blackhead is a lesion wherein the plug enlarges and pushes through the surface of the skin. It has always been thought that the dark appearance of the plug is due to dirt. Actually, this is due to the buildup of melanin, which is the dark pigment of the skin that causes the plug’s dark appearance.

2. Inflammatory Acne

Papule: The papule is the mildest form of inflammatory acne. This manifests as a small, firm pink bump on the skin. This lesion is usually tender when touched and most of the time thought of as an intermediary step between non-inflammatory and clearly inflammatory lesions.

Pustule: A pustule is a small round lesion similar to the papule. On the other hand, a pustule, unlike a papule, is clearly inflamed and has visible pus. It usually appears red at the base and has a yellowish or whitish center. This lesion usually does not have a lot of bacteria. The chemical irritation from the sebum components such as fatty free acids is what commonly causes the inflammation.

Nodule or cyst: This is an inflamed lesion that contains a lot of pus and is stuck deep within the skin. They are usually large and painful. When the contents of a comedo have leaked out into the surrounding skin, nodules start to develop. As the local immune system responds, it leads to the production of pus. Nodules are considered to be the most severe form of acne lesion and they may last for weeks or months. The contents of a lesion harden into a deep cyst. Most of the time, the nodules and cysts leave behind deep scars.

Acne conglobata: This lesion is a rare but serious form of inflammatory acne. They develop most of the time on the back, buttocks, and chest. Together with the presence of pustules and nodules, severe bacterial infection may also be present.

Acne can be caused by a combination of factors at work deep down the surface of your skin. There are five primary factors which contribute to the production of acne. Each of these factors differs between individuals.

Causes of Acne:

Hormones: Majority of those suffering from acne usually reports seeing it first during puberty. At this stage the body starts to produce hormones called androgens which lead to the enlargement of the sebaceous gland. This enlargement occurs naturally during the development of the body. However, over-stimulation of the sebaceous glands by the androgens leads to the development of acne and sometimes well into adulthood. Acne flare-ups related to the menstrual cycle and sometimes pregnancy are also caused by the androgens.

Extra sebum: Extra sebum is produced when the androgens stimulate the sebaceous gland. As it goes up the follicle on its way to the surface, the sebum combines with common skin bacteria and dead skin cells that have been shed from the lining of the follicle. Although this process is normal, there is an increased chance of clogging because of the extra sebum in the follicle thus leading to the formation of acne.

Follicle fallout: In general, the dead cells within the follicle gradually shed and are forced out onto the surface of the skin. However, patients with overactive sebaceous glands, which happen usually during puberty, shed dead cells more rapidly. As this combines with extra sebum, the dead skin cells results in the formation of a plug in the follicle and prevents finishing of the natural process of renewal of the skin.

Bacteria: Bacterium Propionibacterium acnes, acne for short, are a regular occupant of all skin types. Bacteria are a part of the natural sebum maintenance system of the skin. On the other hand, when a follicle is clogged, the P. acnes bacteria quickly multiply and thus create a chemical reaction which is inflammation of the follicle and the surrounding skin.

Inflammation: As unwanted bacteria come across your body, an inflammatory response occurs. This inflammatory response is also known as chemotaxis. This is where the white blood cells protect the body by attacking these bacteria. It is also what causes pimples to become red, swollen, and painful. The inflammatory response varies from patient to patient; however, studies show that it is particularly strong in adult women.