Acne vulgaris (pimples), which is one of the most common skin diseases, is a chronic, inflammatory disease of the hair follicle (root) and sebaceous gland (pilosebaceous unit) that is common especially in adolescence, in which many factors play a role in the etiology.
Although acne is common in adolescence in all societies, it is a disease seen in both men and women of all ages. Its incidence in the community is over 80%. In adolescence, it is stated as 90-95%. It is popularly referred to as “puberty acne” because it usually appears as the first sign of puberty.
Intense Stress Can Damage Your Skin
Acne often settles on the oily areas of the skin, especially the face, on the back, chest, shoulders and upper arms. Only one factor is not effective in acne formation; genetic predisposition, hormones, propionibacterium acnes bacteria play an important role. Increased sebum (oil) secretion, excessive proliferation of keratinocytes in the hair follicle and bacterial colonization with Propionibacterium acnes are the main causes of acne disease. Many factors such as smoking, diet and stress are also effective in the etiology. The production of androgen hormone, which is called the male hormone in the body, reached its highest level between the ages of 11 and 14. The sebaceous glands stimulated by androgens begin to produce more sebum, which is responsible for protecting the skin. Overproduced oil accumulates inside the hair follicle, increasing the chance of the follicle becoming clogged and causing comedones. When the sebaceous gland duct is clogged and filled with oil, a suitable environment for the growth of these bacteria is created. The chemicals produced by the bacteria cause inflammation (inflammation, redness, swelling, pain) in the follicle and on the skin surface. As a result, acne types with different clinical features and severity emerge. Sometimes mild acne appears in the form of black (clear) or white (closed) spots (comedone). Sometimes, red bumps, inflamed yellow-green-tipped bumps, pain-causing nodules and cysts occur.
Don’t Fight Acne, It Can Leave Permanent Stains Stress can exacerbate acne. A stressful period is usually exam periods for students. During this period, your acne may increase. During the menstrual period, acne may increase as the amount of hormones changes. Also, squeezing an existing pimple makes the situation worse. It damages the skin and causes acne breakouts. Sunlight facilitates the healing of acne. However, staying in the sun for a long time increases the spots that may occur on the skin. Also, sweating causes acne breakouts to increase. Using intense and inappropriate cosmetic products to cover acne lesions can clog the pores in the skin, causing the disease to increase. You should stay away from soaps and cleansers that dry the skin too much. Care should be taken to ensure that the cleansers are close to the natural pH of the skin. Washing too much damages the skin by breaking the existing protective barrier. It is definitely not recommended to squeeze and play with the pimple. Inflamed acne may spread, redness may increase, and the risk of scarring increases. In some types of acne, acne lesions can be drained only under the supervision of a doctor.
The Best Season to Start Treatment of Acne and Pimple Scars is Winter
In fact, acne can be treated in any season, but when we consider the side effects of the drugs we use in the treatment and the negative interaction of the reactions with the sun, the best time to minimize the formation of stains is the winter season when the sun’s rays are low. Since substances such as retinoic acid, benzoyl peroxide, azelaic acid, salicylic acid, tetracycline in the creams used externally in the treatment of acne can cause redness and sun sensitivity on the face, it is generally not recommended to be used in the summer months. If used, it may cause staining on the skin. Some oral antibiotics and vitamin A drugs that are effective in the treatment of acne also increase sensitivity to the sun. In addition, these drugs cause drying of the skin. It is not comfortable for patients to use the creams recommended to prevent this situation in summer. Because in summer, the effect of these creams wear off in a short time with sweating.
How Is Acne Passed? Here are the Treatment Methods
Stating that there are many drugs used in the treatment of acne, Dr. Yeliz Karakoca Başaran said, “While topical drugs are primarily preferred in the treatment of mild to severe acne, oral medication (oral antibiotic) treatment can be used in cases where topical treatment does not respond. Such drugs often work better when used in conjunction with topical therapy. People with severe acne and oily skin have been given an oral medication containing isotretinoin (a derivative of vitamin A) for about 30 years. This is the most successful treatment for acne, but it is a limiting feature to use in the summer, as it increases sensitivity to the sun. Superficial peeling applied for treatment is mostly preferred in the treatment of mild acne, black and white spots, and secondarily in the treatment of blemishes. If acne is not treated on time, it can heal by leaving a scar. Since it is a skin disease that responds late to treatment, it requires a regular and patient treatment process. The most basic mistake made is the delay in treatment. When acne is first seen, it is necessary to consult a dermatologist in order to give the appropriate treatment at the appropriate time.
