Various factors can lead to acne or undesirable blemishes on the face. It is usually common for acne breakouts to occur at a younger age.
However, the condition is increasingly becoming common even among adults. To achieve long-lasting results, stubborn acne requires an individualized treatment approach.
Texas Surgical Dermatology, led by board certified dermatologist Dr. Tri H. Nguyen, provides advanced skin care procedures to patients in Houston, Katy, Spring, The Woodlands, Texas, and surrounding communities.
Acne Factors
Four main dermatology factors that contribute to the issue of acne are as follows:
- Dead skin cells
- Excess oil production in the skin
- Bacteria build-up
- Clogged pores
Acne often appears on the face, chest, neck, back, and shoulders. These areas have the highest number of sebaceous glands that manufacture oil. Acne develops when the hair follicles get clogged with oil and dead skin cells. Hair follicles and oil glands are connected. The skin and hair are lubricated from the secretion of these glands.
This secretion, known as sebum, usually travels along the hair shafts and through the hair follicle openings on the surface of the skin. If there is excessive sebum production, it can combine with dead skin cells and accumulate in the hair follicles.
This leads to a soft plug, enabling an environment for bacteria to proliferate. Swelling will develop if the bacteria infect the plugged pores.
The follicle wall may bulge due to the clogged pore, creating a blackhead or a whitehead. Acne appears on elevated red spots with a white center, which will develop when swelling or infection occurs in the plugged hair follicles. Inflammation and blockages that develop deep within hair follicles cause cyst-like lumps underneath the skin’s surface.
Factors that Aggravate Acne
Hormones
Both boys and girls experience an increase in the production of androgen hormones during puberty. This hormone leads to enlarged sebaceous glands as well as increases sebum production.
Certain Types of Medication
Certain drugs that contain androgens, corticosteroids, or lithium can make acne worse. Do not use topical or oral medications without consulting a dermatology expert.
Diet
Several research studies have found that certain dietary factor, including carbohydrate-rich foods and dairy products, may cause acne. Chocolate has long believed to be a culprit for worsening acne. According to a research study with 14 male participants, it was shown that eating chocolate was linked to an increase in acne.
Stress
Increased stress levels or emotional upheavals may also play a part in the worsening of acne.
What does not cause acne?
It is a common myth that dirty skin, greasy or oily foods, or cosmetic can lead to acne. But in reality, the consumption of oily or greasy food has little or no correlation to acne. Acne also does not occur due to dirt on the skin.
Patients should be careful to avoid scrubbing the skin too vigorously or cleansing with harsh soaps as skin irritation can make acne worse. In addition, it is a concrete idea to use oil-free makeup to avoid blocked pores.
Board certified dermatologist Dr. Tri H. Nguyen receives patients from Houston, Katy, Spring, The Woodlands, Texas, and nearby areas for safe and proven skin care procedures.
For more information on procedures and treatments offered at Texas Surgical Dermatology PA please call 832.663.6566 or click here to contact our dermatologists. Helping patients in Houston, The Woodlands, Springs, Katy and other surrounding areas of Texas.
