Dear
Pimples,
If you’re going to live on my face I
need to see some rent.
Acne is something that men and women
have to deal with the whole of their lives, particularly during adolescence. In
order to treat it properly, or to try to avoid it, one must first understand
how and why pimples are formed.
1.
Puberty, stress, sexual
stimulation and the consumption of dairy products lead to an increase in the
presence of androgenic hormones in our bodies. These hormones are the first
ingredients for a zit to form, as they are what make the sebaceous glands
produce excessive sebum.
2.
Each of the hair
follicles on our bodies is connected to glands, called sebaceous glands, which secrete an oily substance to lubricate our
skin and hair. To do that, the substance, known as sebum, needs to move up the hair shaft and out the opening of the
follicle.
3.
However, sometimes the sebum is not able
to exit the hair follicle very quickly. The skin cells continue to constantly
shed dead cells and the glands continue to produce more sebum, creating the big
problem. The sebum sticks to dead cells, and together they form a plug that
blocks the follicle shaft.
4.
Meanwhile, the glands continue to produce
more sebum. The growing blockage stimulates
bacteria like Propionibacterium Acnes (P. acnes), to
reproduce. Under normal conditions, this bacteria wouldn’t cause any trouble,
but in the presence of a clogged follicle that is warm, moist, dark, lacks
oxygen and there is plenty of sebum to eat, the bacteria set up camp and have a
feast with lots of eating and reproductive activities.
5.
The sebum, the
dead cells and the bacteria together form the white pus at the top of the
pimple.
6.
Increasing
bacteria leads to a response by the immune system. Chemicals are released into
the body that the white cells pick up on. They try to kill the bacteria and
heal the tissue thus leading to inflammation and redness.
One of the major factors determining
an individual’s likelihood of developing acne is the person’s genetic make
up. Genetics impact the structure of the
hair follicle, sebaceous gland activity, hormone levels and the immune response
to bacteria. Therefore, PIMPLES CAN NEVER BE FULLY AVOIDED. Nonetheless, several
steps can be taken in order to reduce the likelihood of getting pimples:
v Keep your face and hair clean!
v Moisturize your skin!
v Keep your hands off your face!
v Stay out of direct sunlight!
v Stay hydrated and eat healthily!
v Don’t stress!
v Consume less dairy products!
v Exercise!
v If things get serious, consult your doctor.
PSB
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