Hi everyone,
We hope you are all okay! While we are working from home, we have decided to start writing blogs to provide you with something to read and help with your skincare! As June is acne awareness month our first blog is going to be about acne and what causes it!
Acne: a Common Skin Condition
Are you suffering from acne? You aren’t alone about 95% of people aged 11 to 30 suffer with acne too! Acne is a common skin condition which causes spots, oily skin and can sometimes make the skin hot and painful to touch. Teenagers and young adults are the biggest sufferers when it comes to acne, usually affecting females aged 14 to 17 and males aged 16 to 19 but it is not uncommon for adults aged 30 and older to suffer with acne rosacea.
Hair Follicles
Acne is caused by blocked hair follicles, sometimes caused by sebaceous glands which are tiny glands near the surface of the skin and are attached to your hair follicles. The glands produce oil (called sebum) to stop the skin from drying out. In acne, the glands produce too much and the excess oil binds with dead skin cells and block the follicle.
Teenage acne is usually triggered during puberty due to an increase in testosterone levels – these glands are particularly sensitive to hormones so the increase in testosterone causes an increase in production of the oil. Acne rosacea is caused by a similar change in hormones but is usually due to the menopause in women or the testosterone levels decreasing in older men.
Acne & Spots
There are 6 types of spots which will appear on the skin, some more common than others for acne sufferers:
- Blackheads which are small black or yellowish bumps that develop on the skin; they are not filled with dirt but are black because the inner lining of the hair follicle produces the colour.
- Whiteheads have a similar appearance to blackheads but may be firmer and will not empty when squeezed.
- Papules are small red bumps that may feel tender or small.
- Pustules are like papules but have a white tip at the centre caused by a build-up of pus.
- Nodules are large hard lumps formed beneath the surface of the skin which can be tender and sore.
- Cysts are the most severe type of spot caused by acne; they are large pus-filled lumps that look similar to boils and carry the greater risk of scarring.
The good news is that acne can be reduced and prevented! 😊 Our next blog will be about our IPL acne treatments for our older clients and the Monu Peel and Reveal for young adults and teenagers.
Take care and stay safe xx
