Dermatology specialists state that acne is a very common disease that manifests itself in the form of pimples or blackheads. It occurs in adolescence, although it is not exclusive to this age group, as an increase in cases has been seen in adult women.
It appears in areas of the skin with excess sebum or oil, being especially frequent on the face, although it can also appear on the back, chest, shoulders and neck.
Acne occurs when the hair follicle, i.e. the channel that connects the sebaceous glands of the skin with the pores of the skin, becomes clogged. When this happens, there is an increased secretion of oil by the sebaceous glands that gets trapped inside the follicle. In some cases, there is also a superinfection by a bacterium that lives on our skin called P. acnes, which multiplies rapidly inside the oily pore, inflaming the follicle, producing pus and in some cases cysts or nodules on the skin.
The most important medical studies show that acne is not caused by the ingestion of certain foods. However, some people notice that their acne worsens when they eat certain foods such as chocolate, dairy products, sausage, bread, rice, potatoes, pasta or sweets, among others.
Types of acne
There are three types of acne: comedonal acne, inflammatory acne and cystic nodule acne.
- Comedonian acne: this is the mildest type. It is also known as “blackheads”. It is produced by a clogging of the hair follicle, which produces “comedones”. Comedones can be closed or open.
- Inflammatory acne: In this type of acne, pustules or small papules with pus may also be found, as a consequence of a skin infection by the P. acnes bacterium.
- Nodular-cystic acne: this is the most severe type of acne. In addition to the lesions of comedones and pustules, nodules and cysts are observed on the skin, leaving permanent scars and marks.
Acne: treatment
Treatment must be personalized, as it depends on the type of acne and the individual patient. There are topical treatments that include hygienic measures, topical antibiotics and substances that help to free the occluded follicle such as topical retinoids, salicylic acid, etc. Within the systemic (oral) treatments, oral antibiotics such as tetracyclines can be used.
The only definitive treatment for acne is isotretinoin, which is a systemic retinoid that helps in all phases of acne. Not all patients will eventually need this treatment, so each case must be evaluated.
How to prevent acne?
The way to prevent acne is to carry out a series of hygienic habits. It is advisable to perform a daily hygiene with a neutral soap twice a day. If the scalp is oily, it is recommended to wash the head every day and avoid the use of bangs and/or manes.
If topical treatment is needed, it should be applied on a clean face and always in small amounts. The most important thing to reduce the risk of scarring is not to touch the acne, scratch or squeeze the pimples. It is also very important not to use greasy moisturizers or occlusive make-up.