Acne is one of the first problems that come to our minds when it comes to puberty. As it creates a social problem, it can become a nightmare among young people…
What is Acne (Acne), why does it happen?
Acne (acne) is a disease that is seen on the face, neck, chest, back, shoulders and upper arms and affects the oil channels. Although it is most commonly seen in adolescence, it can continue until the 20s and even 40s. Hormones are the most important cause of acne, hormonal activities that begin with puberty, especially male hormones, cause acne with an increase in oil production and shedding of epithelial cells in the sebaceous glands. In addition, the genetic characteristics of the person are also very important.
What are the causes of acne?
Normally, acnes that occur during puberty are considered ordinary, they are the formations of sebaceous glands under the influence of changing hormonal conditions, but acnes that start suddenly without any reason, such as irregular menstruation, weight gain, use of hormonal drugs (contraceptive, etc.) should bring to mind hormonal reasons. In these cases, the success of the treatment is directly proportional to the treatment of the problem to be revealed by the examinations.
The most important cause of acne is hormones. Taking hormonal drugs, including hormonal disorders, and using drugs containing cortisone cause acne. Of course, in cases such as the genetic characteristics and predispositions of the person, such as having oily skin, having a family history of acne, intense acne problems can be experienced. Acne is an inflammatory disease caused by increased oil production in the sebaceous glands, excessive shedding of the epithelium lining the sebaceous gland, obstruction of the sebaceous gland tract and the proliferation of Propionabacteria in it. In addition, excessive consumption of chocolate, sweets, snacks and fatty foods can increase acne formation.
What are comedones (Blackheads)?
Comedones, colloquially known as blackheads, are oil deposits that turn black as oxidized by the oxygen in the air, formed by the clogging of the pores with oil. These occur in the enlarged pores due to the overactivity of the sebaceous glands with hormones. They are especially concentrated on the face, on the nose, on the cheeks, forehead, and sometimes on the back and chest.
The area that contains the most oil glands on our face is above the nose, which is why it is especially common here. It is essential to give importance to skin cleaning in blackhead cleaning, to use pore-shrinking tonics together with skin cleansers that correct oil balance and prevent excessive lubrication. In addition, it is to remove the softened spots after a bath once a week or 10 days or by steaming them, by gently pressing them with the index fingers of both hands after thoroughly cleaning the hands. Of course, while doing these operations, it will be useful to wipe the places we touch with cologne or tincture-like antiseptics that can be found at home.
Hormonal activity in women is higher than in men, acne formation due to hormonal changes is very common, especially during menstrual periods. In addition, women’s use of too many unsuitable creams (oily) for the face and make-up appear as acne. Powder and foundation can cause blackhead acne by clogging the pores.
How should acne care be?
The most important method to be applied at home is to clean and moisturize the skin with a cleanser that reduces the oiliness of the skin and does not dry the skin. We can also use purifying masks that moisturize the skin. It can be recommended that people with excessively oily skin and a lot of blackheads should clean their skin every evening with antibiotic and/or sulfur soaps that will reduce oiliness. In addition, we need to take precautions about diet. Especially oily foods such as chocolate, shelled cookies, corn chips, potato chips, fast food diet, ketch-up, mayonnaise, fatty foods should not be eaten.
How to treat acne?
Locally used antibiotic creams and lotions are effective for complaints such as simple puberty acne. Also, antibiotics are sometimes used in this situation. The evaluation of acne should be done by a dermatologist and the path should be followed accordingly. Chemical peeling and professional skin care, LED treatments, laser treatments can be done in modern acne treatments. In addition, vitamin A acids are also used in advanced acne, especially in types with cystic and black spots. With these drugs, which are used in the form of pills, very satisfactory results can be obtained in an average of 4-6 months. Of course, such treatments must be carried out under the supervision of a doctor by performing an analysis. Since such situations are not a situation that we can decide on our own, we should stay away from all drugs and get specialist doctor support in this regard.
What can we do for acne at home?
Cleaning is one of the methods that we can do at home for acne. We can do steam baths. Then we can do blackhead care. If we are going to use the product, we must consult a specialist. In skin cleaning, it is necessary to use sulfur and antibacterial soaps once a day, blackhead cleaning with a steam bath every 7-10 days, if we are wearing make-up, it is necessary to remove the make-up thoroughly with a make-up remover and then use suitable moisturizers. Many people experience a decrease in acne in summer compared to the season, and the disappearance of the stress factor, the increase in UV rays and the use of the sea are the most affecting factors. In summer, acne-prone skin needs sun protection in terms of scars. Oily skin should use water-based sunscreens such as lotions, and they should stay away from foundation, powder and make-up. In the winter months, more intensive treatment may be required with the increase of acne. However, it is appropriate to support the skin with light water-based moisturizers that can eliminate the cold and wind effect. Especially since oily creams always clog the pores and prevent the skin from breathing, we should be careful not to use oily creams on oily skin. The biggest mistake about acne is to go in front of the mirror and try to squeeze out all kinds of acne and comedones. Only after steaming or after a bath, we should intervene with very gentle movements on the softened skin, the blackheads that have yellowed ends and elongated, and avoid squeezing the others. Otherwise, spreading the inflammation around, increasing acne, acne scars and blemishes will inevitably appear. Acne and oily skins usually use make-up to hide their faces and look better, in this regard, liquid concealers that do not clog pores and water-based make-up should be emphasized, oily products should be avoided and light make-up should be applied. Powders can be preferred more in this regard.
