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ACNE
Acne is an inflammatory
skin disease which affects the tiny pores which cover the face,
arms, back and chest and the oil glands attached to them.
It is an abnormal
response in the skin to normal levels of the male hormone, testosterone,
in the blood. Both men and women have testosterone circulating
in the blood, but in the acne sufferer, this hormone has a profound
effect on the skin. This abnormal response is self limiting and
eventually acne does get better without treatment, but there is
no way of predicting how long this can take, and it may take years
or even decades! Acne can also leave scars which are permanent
and are easier to prevent than to treat.
In the skin, the disease
attacks two structures:
- The pore through which the hairs
emerge from the skin
- The oil or sebaceous gland
The partial blockage in the pore
restricts the flow of oil onto the skin surface. This results
in solidification of the oil which fills the hair channel forming
a blackhead. The black of the blackhead is not due to dirt, but
a change in pigment in the blockage in the pore. If the partial
blockage becomes complete, the oil builds up around the hair and
hair root and becomes infected with bacteria normally present
on the skin. The bacteria breaks down the oil to very inflammatory
chemicals which cause redness, pus formation and pain - the "zit".
If the inflammation is deep and
severe, or if the spot is manipulated or squeezed, the pus can
burst deep into the skin rather than onto the surface. This deep-rooted
inflammation and infection results in scarring and cyst formation.
Acne is commonest in adolescents
with a peak in the late teens. Acne may however, appear for the
first time in the mid-twenties or even later and persists in a
significant number of people into their 40s or even their 50s.
Does diet affect acne? The
simplest answer is no. The myth persists that chocolate and fatty
foods make acne worse. In a very small percentage of people, these
foods do make their acne worse, but in most people, diet is not
important. A good balanced diet is, however, important for general
well-being.
Bren New York
Heal & Conceal $18.00 |
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