What Is Acne?
Acne is a common skin condition found in men and women, predominantly during puberty. The most common cause of Acne is the inflammation of the oil glands (pilosebaceous unit) and the hair follicle which leads to blackheads, whiteheads, pimples and larger lesions known as nodules and cysts.
Acne is mainly found on the face, chest and back. If left untreated, Acne may cause scarring. Acne tends to disfigure the skin and the resulting depressed scars are often permanent. Acne scars are often costly to remove. As the saying goes “Prevention is better than Cure.”, this is why early treatment to target the Acne process is better and highly advised.
Keratin is a protein that is naturally made by our skin cells. People suffering from Acne tend to produce more keratin than the average person, which then blocks drainage of oil from the oil glands resulting in Acne breakouts.
Acne affected individuals also secrete excess oil as their bodies are more sensitive to male hormones. Studies have shown that women are in fact more prone to Acne breakouts compared to men. The excess oil and keratin form plugs called whiteheads and blackheads or comedones (small bumps formed from excess oil).
Acne is often the result from a bacterium called P. Acne which will act on these comedones causing inflation. Pimples are the result from these inflamed lesions, are red bumps filled with pus and are sensitive. Bigger, more serious inflammation are called nodules and cysts.
Tips to Prevent Acne
- Having a proper diet that includes low-glycemic index (low-GI) carbohydrates (such as whole grains, beans, lentils) can help to reduce the oil produced by your body. It is also recommended to avoid sugar laden foods and drinks as well as excessive dairy products.
- Having a proper skincare routine helps to maintain the condition of your skin to
prevent excessive production of oil under your skin. You might want to consider using cleanser to get rid of excess debris and dirt at the end of your day. It is also important to keep your skin moisturised. Dry skin is usually compensated by your body producing extra oil to keep the skin protected. We recommend using a moisturizer that is suitable for your skin type.