Face is that part of our body which has gained immense importance over other parts perhaps because it is that mirror which reflects our personality and depicts attractiveness. Therefore, if this vital portion is damaged by the horrific attack of acne, then it becomes unbearable for most of the victims. However, the menace could be subdued with the help of a basic understanding of facial acne.
Under which Circumstances Do They Grow?
There is no exact reason behind the formation of acne on any part of the body including face. However, a few factors are thought to be playing major influential roles behind their formation.
Studies have revealed that male sex hormone androgen boosts up the level of body oil secretion. And this hormone is present in people of both sexes. And these hyperactive oil glands and an augmentation in sebum secretion is the key reason behind facial acne formation.
Though not directly associated with acne, but certain other internal bodily factors might also trigger favorable condition for acne formation. Consumption of spicy and junk foods and too much caffeine, insufficient water intake, irregular bowel clearance, and lack of sleep are a few of such unfavorable conditions.
External factors also play a major role in acne outbreak. Cosmetics, creams, gels and other skin products especially those which are oil based, encourage acne outbreak.
Process of Comedonal Formation
You might be wondering as to how an excess amount of body oil is responsible for the birth and proliferation of facial acne. Human skin consists of innumerable hair follicles embedded beneath the epidermal layer. Connected to these hair follicles, lies plenty of oil glands which are also known as sebaceous glands.
They secrete sebum or body oil in order to maintain the natural oil balance of the skin surface. They come out through the hair follicles and spread all over the skin surface. The amount of secretion of sebum is not same for everyone.
Exfoliation is another natural mechanism of human body in which all the dead skin cells are peeled off and newer skin cells appear. It is often noticed that this natural exfoliation process is faulty among people with an acne prone skin. Instead of peeling off from the body surface, the dead skin cells around the hair follicle linings enter the skin pores and clump together to clog the pore openings. In doing so, they trap the sebum within the pore itself.
This results in the formation of comedones or the small bumps what we see as the first trace of onset of acne. Gradually the situation might worsen further due to the presence of some skin dwelling bacteria called Propionibacterium acnes by adding inflammation inside the comedones.
In most cases acne is formed in this way and this type of acne are also referred to as acne vulgaris or common acne.
Types of Facial Acne
Acne vulgaris might be inflamed or noninflammed. Noninflammed or milder acne includes blackheads and whiteheads. With an increase in severity they gradually form into papules, pustules and even severely inflamed pus-filled cystic acne that bear ample risk of acne scarring.
Do’s and Don’ts About Facial Acne
A few precautionary as well as preventive steps could help you alleviate acne to a considerable extent. The first step is to develop healthy food habits, avoiding junk food and everything else which is liable to raise the level of toxic content in the blood.
Washing your face with a gentle soap and warm water twice daily is mandatory. Never rub your face in an attempt to clean it, if it is really that necessary to use some exfoliator, go for mild ones. Using coarse cloths or abrasive materials for cleaning your face is extremely detrimental. Also keep your hands, hair, pillowslips and other belongings clean since the malicious contents like accumulated body oil or dead skin cells might transmit from there to your face.
Remedies
Mild facial acne is often cured with over-the-counter products like benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid; however if severity persists or gets out of hand then visiting an experienced dermatologist is essential. A dermatologist might prescribe oral or topical antibiotics or retinoids in order to diminish the inflammation and flattening the acne. Sometimes birth control pills are also used as good acne medicine for women as they directly control the androgen balance in female body. Serious cases are sometimes dealt with acne surgery, laser treatment, chemical peeling, etc.
