Acne Vulgaris – An Overview

 

 

Acne is an inflammatory skin disease, caused by increased production of sebum and accelerated removal of dead skin cells. Acne, also known as “acne vulgaris”, where vulgaris is the medical term of “common”. At puberty, its appearance is caused by the hormonal changes related to puberty, and more precisely by the increase in testosterone in the body at this period.

 

Puberty rhymes for many adolescents with acne. These unsightly pimples can quickly poison their daily lives. Fortunately, effective treatments exist to remedy this.

 

In most cases, acne disappears spontaneously by the age of 18-25 years. However, rapid management helps to reduce, or even avoid, the discomfort caused by acne and the formation of scars. In some people, acne persists into adulthood.

 

Acne Vulgaris

 

Definition of Acne Vulgaris

 

Inflammation of the sebaceous and/or pilo-sebaceous glands, localized, in juvenile or vulgar acne, on the face and upper part of the thorax. Lesions can become more exuberant as in the nodulo-cystic form. The conglobata form combines deep abscesses and oily sebaceous cysts readily located on the face and neck.

 

The fulminant form affects mainly male subjects, between 15 and 30 years. It occurs either after sun exposure or during treatment of acne with retinoic acid and is manifested by general symptoms (high fever, joint pain, malaise) and local symptoms (acute skin lesions prone to necrosis and ulceration). Also, bone damage is possible.

 

The application of corticosteroid products is contraindicated in all forms of acne because of the aggravation of the lesions they cause.

 

There are several types of acne, resulting in different lesions:

 

Acne Vulgaris

 

In the case of so-called “vulgar” acne, the channel allowing the sebum to escape to the surface of the skin becomes clogged as a result of overproduction of sebum, too thick sebum as well as dead skin cells that block the exit of the sebaceous gland. This obstruction leads to white dots (white comedones) and black dots (black comedones). To this are added oily skin and enlarged pores.

 

Inflammatory Acne

 

A naturally occurring bacterium in the sebaceous glands (propionibacterium acnes) proliferates within white comedones. When the sebaceous gland becomes infected, it bursts and its contents – become irritating by the proliferation of this bacterium-spread under the skin, causing inflammation. Consequence: the appearance of red and/or purulent pimples.

 

Cystic Acne

 

Poorly or untreated inflammatory lesions cause more intense inflammation, which can lead to the formation of cysts or even abscesses. This type of acne often leaves scars.

 

Acne affects both girls and boys. However, boys often suffer from more severe acne, while in girls, acne usually appears earlier and tends to last longer.

 

Acne: What is Treatment?

 

Acne vulgaris (acne of the adolescent) is one of the most common skin disorders. The hereditary factor is important and its peak incidence is manifested by the age of 14 years in women and 16 years in men. It is more common and more pronounced in humans. Its diagnosis is not difficult to establish; its treatment is based on general measures.

 

The treatment of acne depends on the type of lesions but also on each person (aggravating factors).

Local acne treatments are of several types:

 

Creams based on retinoids (derivatives of vitamin A) act against the abnormally high removal of dead skin cells in the pores. They are effective in people with comedones and white dots.

 

If you have inflammatory acne, however, your dermatologist may prescribe creams based on benzoyl peroxide or local antibiotics. Be careful, benzoyl peroxide may discolour your laundry: remember to use white linens and wipes.

 

Oral Treatments

Oral acne treatments are indicated for severe forms of acne or when local treatments do not have enough effect. Some oral treatments are associated with local treatments. Oral antibiotics are effective in severe forms of acne with many inflammatory lesions and are always associated with local treatment.

 

Isotretinoin, a product derived from vitamin A, works against the formation of comedones but also has anti-inflammatory properties. It generates many side effects and therefore needs to be monitored closely.

 

Oral zinc gluconate is also an option for people with severe acne.

 

Some contraceptive pills (estroprogestatives) can regulate the production of sebum and decrease acne.

 

The Right Way to Prevent Acne

 

It is important to know that acne vulgaris improves naturally without leaving scars and is not an infectious disease. Here are some right gestures against acne, by following these you may prevent it to become severe. If you are between in 14-25 years age, these are highly recommended for you.

 

Clean Your Skin

While it is tempting to use alcohol-based desiccants to combat oily skin, the latter produce the opposite effect. By aggressing the epidermis, they create a reaction of the skin that increases its production of sebum. At the key: a possible aggravation of acne. It is best to use a mild, soap-free, non-comedogenic washing gel with a pH close to that of the skin. It is important to know that excessively cleaning the skin and using brushes or sponges can promote the extension of acne.

 

Makeup

Makeup can help mask the imperfections caused by acne, choose it right! Non-oily, light and non-comedogenic textures are preferable, not forgetting to remove makeup every evening in order to prevent makeup residues from clogging the pores and aggravating acne. Cosmetics with an oily base should be avoided. Use only liquid or powdered makeup (and not cream).

 

Piercing Pimples

It is often tempting to pierce its pimples to make them disappear. But when performing this gesture, there are as many risks as the pimple pierces from the inside, which leaves a red plaque for a couple of weeks. In addition, a pierced pimple leaves the door open to bacteria and therefore, at the risk of superinfection and scarring. A gesture to ban! And if you could not help yourself, disinfect your pimple with a sterile compress soaked in non-alcoholic antiseptic. It is not recommended to touch the pimples as the lesions can leave a scar.

 

Acne and Diet

There is no clear relationship between acne and diet, although some recent studies have suggested a link between a high glycaemic (sugar) diet and the appearance of acne. However, in some people, one or more specific foods may be a triggering or aggravating factor. If this is your case, it is important to identify them to avoid them.

 

No food should be avoided because it is not proven that eating worsens acne. Still, if you notice that a particular food, such as chocolate, fats or nuts increase your acne, it’s better to avoid them.

 

Advice

 

If you start treatment, know that most prove their effectiveness after 6-8 months. Treatment can continue for many years and be modified according to the results produced on each person. Most treatments are used only to control the disease, but do not cure it.

 

This article is written with the help of Dr. Amanda Oakley, Dermatologist from New York. Hope it will provide you a brief overview about acne vulgaris and help you to prevent it. If you like this article, please like and share it to your friends.

 

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