Contents
Acne
Акне is a long-term inflammatory skin condition that occurs when dead skin cells and sebum clog the hair follicle. Acne lesions most often occur on the face. With a complex course, rashes may appear on the shoulders, upper chest, and back.
Young people under 30 years of age are most often affected. However, the disease progresses differently in men and women.
Young men are characterized by a more serious, generalized form of acne affecting not only the face, but also the upper chest, back, and arms.
In young women, the disease is usually associated with cyclical hormonal changes, such as the menstrual cycle. Therefore, for women, when treating acne, it is advisable to consult a gynecologist-endocrinologist.
Acne depending on age in women
The disease most often affects young women aged 14-15 to 30 years. This is due to puberty and hormonal changes.
As women get older, acne often goes away. However, there is a special type of acne that appears after 40 years, the so-called acne tarda. In this case, consultation with an endocrinologist or gynecologist-endocrinologist is absolutely necessary, since microdoses of sex hormones are often added to treatment.
Some women suffer from acne for many years.
Rashes often affect the face, which leads to depression, low self-esteem, and disrupts socialization. If you do not start timely treatment, the consequences of acne can be draining comedones, skin abscesses and cysts, which can lead to the appearance of scars on the face. The scarring consequences of acne will require separate long-term and complex treatment. Therefore, it is so important to consult a dermatologist as early as possible.
Acne skin lesions
- Comedones (white or blackheads) or papules. A comedon is the main lesion of acne, which is a clogged pore. If the clogged pore remains under the skin, it is called a closed comedon and forms a white bump or whitehead. Blackheads are comedones that open up and appear blackish on the surface of the skin. This black color is not due to dirt, but because the air reacts with excess oil.
- Pustules or pimples. Pustules or pimples are pimples that contain pus and are red at the base.
- Nodules. These are more serious acne lesions. They penetrate deeper into the skin, are painful and can cause scarring.
- Cysts. Like nodules, these lesions are deep in the skin, painful, filled with pus, and can cause scarring.
Acne in women
Hormonal changes during puberty. During puberty, girls’ levels of male sex hormones called androgens increase. This enlargement causes the glands to increase in size and produce more sebum.
Hormonal changes in adulthood. The menstrual cycle is one of the most common causes of acne. Acne usually forms a few days before the start of the cycle and goes away after it ends.
Other hormonal changes, such as pregnancy and menopause, on the contrary, can improve skin condition and reduce the number of urges. Only a small percentage of women report an increase in the number of skin rashes.
Acne can often be caused by stopping birth control pills. These tablets contain hormonal drugs. If the course is canceled, due to a decrease in the amount of hormones received, acne may form. Subsequently, the body is rebuilt, and the problem disappears.
Medicines. Some medications, such as those used to treat epilepsy and various types of depression, may also increase the number of pimples on the skin.
Acne from poor hygiene
Washing your skin too often or harshly scrubbing your skin can make acne worse.
The best way to cleanse your face is to gently wash it twice a day with a mild soap or cleanser. It is not recommended to use rough skin cleansing when removing makeup. It is best to consult with a dermato-cosmetologist who will conduct professional atraumatic facial cleansing and select individual care for your skin.
Stress is the cause of acne
Stress does not cause acne. But acne can be a side effect of some medications used to treat stress or depression. If you experience acne while taking medications, you should consult with your doctor and, possibly, find a replacement drug.
How to treat mild forms of acne
Mild acne. Mild pimples may consist of whiteheads, blackheads and small pustules. After consulting with a dermatologist and undergoing tests, it is necessary to select individual skin cleansing products. In some cases, the doctor may prescribe medications to reduce oily skin and talkers to dry out acne.
Moderate acne. This type of acne consists of several whiteheads, blackheads, papules and pustules that cover ¼ of the face and other parts of the body. For this form of the disease, combination therapy is recommended.
Acne skin care – do not wash the affected areas of the skin more than twice a day, apply moisturizing creams that do not contain fragrances, oils, do not cause comedones and do not clog pores.
Diet for acne – A diet low in simple sugars is recommended.
Antibiotics, benzoyl peroxide and retinoids are recommended as local therapy.
Additionally, a course of light and laser therapy is recommended.
Severe acne.
Severe acne includes deep cysts, redness, swelling, severe skin damage and scarring. Treatment is prescribed by a dermatologist.
Local therapy is aimed at:
- reducing inflammation
- destruction of C.Acnes (the causative agent of acne)
- normalization of the removal of dead skin cells and reduction of sebum production – to prevent the appearance of new rashes
- resurfacing scars on the skin
General therapy
- Antibiotics
- Hormonal therapy
- Anti-inflammatory therapy
Acne Prevention
You can help prevent acne and scars by taking care of your skin:
- Gently cleanse your skin with a mild soap or cleanser twice a day—once in the morning and once in the evening. Avoid scented soaps and rough wipes. Abruptly scrubbing your skin can make acne worse. Wash your entire face from your jaw to your hairline and rinse thoroughly. Makeup must be removed using special products and cotton pads.
- With the help of a cosmetologist, select individual skin care products taking into account its characteristics.
- Do not squeeze or pick at blackheads. This threatens the appearance of scars.
- Avoid sunburn. Many medications used to treat acne can cause sunburn. For outdoor activities, use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. Try to stay in the shade as much as possible.
- Choose makeup and hair care products that do not cause comedones or acne.
- Avoid items that chafe your skin, such as backpacks and sports equipment.
- If you are taking medications that worsen your skin condition and cause acne, be sure to tell your doctor. The doctor may change the drug or adjust the therapy.