Pimples (acne)

Pimples (acne)

Pimples (acne) are a common problem, and the vast majority of us get pimples at one point or another in our lives. There are a number of different products and treatments you can try against acne. If you suffer from acne a lot, you should avoid using greasy creams, as these can clog the sebaceous glands and lead to worsening.

What are pimples and acne?

Pimples and acne are the same, and occur when a sebaceous gland becomes blocked, and sebum accumulates at the bottom of the gland. Accumulated sebum is broken down by the skin bacterium Propionebacterium acnes, this leads to a local inflammation of the skin, i.e. a pimple. Depending on how deep down in the sebaceous gland (or hair follicle) such inflammation occurs, you can get everything from small red pimples to larger and deeper pimples.

You can get pimples in several places on the body:

• On the face in general

• On the chin and forehead

• In the scalp

• On the back

• On the butt

Causes of pimples

Just about everyone will get pimples and acne at one point or another, especially in their teens. Pimples and acne most often occur on the face, but also pimples on the back and chest are common places to get pimples.

• Testosterone: It is believed that the main cause of acne is the influence of the male sex hormone testosterone, which both women and men have; men naturally have the most. Testosterone affects sebum production. Some people are more sensitive to this influence than others, and get pimples and acne more easily. The sensitivity to testosterone is hereditary.

• Hormonal changes: Hormonal changes, such as puberty, menstruation or pregnancy can cause acne in some people. Hormonal changes that cause the body to produce more of the male sex hormone testosterone, lead to enlarged sebaceous glands and increased sebum production. Most people with acne usually have normal hormone levels, but it is the sebaceous glands that are very sensitive to hormones.

• Diet: There has been a lot of discussion about whether diet has a role in the development of acne, but there is weak evidence that consuming a lot of sugar is associated with an increased risk of acne.

• Hereditary factors.

• Stress: Stress can make acne worse.

• Some drugs, such as testosterone and cortisone.

• Excessive sunbathing.

Symptoms and different degrees of acne

Symptoms and severity of pimples and acne can vary greatly from person to person. Pimples and acne are often divided into different categories:

• Mild acne: Characterized by superficial pimples in the form of blackheads that can be black and open or white and closed.

• Moderate acne: Characterized by red swellings and pimples with pus.

• Severe acne: Characterized by red and painful boils that can leave scars.

• Treatment of pimples and acne will also vary depending on the symptoms and to what extent you are affected.

7 skin care suggestions for impure skin with acne.

• Cleanse the skin every morning and evening. Use a cleansing gel or foam, they are suitable for impure and oily skin. If the skin care range you are using has a toner, use it after the first cleanse to remove any remaining waste products from the skin.

• Use an oil-free moisturiser, which contains a lot of moisture. If the skin gets too little moisture, the skin can try to compensate for this by producing more sebum, which will put the skin even more out of balance.

• Use the night to help, then the skin is most receptive! There are a number of specialized night creams for impure skin, which both calm the skin and fight impurities while you sleep.

• Use a gentle face peeling 1-3 times a week. Peeling helps to remove sebum and dead skin cells. If they are not removed, you can get more pimples as both sebum and dead skin cells can clog the pores.

• Do not squeeze the pimples! It can make the pain worse and it can cause scarring.

• There are local products that you can use directly on pimples/impurities. These products can help to remove the pimple faster.

• If you use make-up, it is important that you use make-up specially adapted to oily skin. Read more here about the right make-up for oily and impure skin.