Causes of acne at 20 years old in a girl

To effectively combat acne, it is not enough to know a good dermatologist and acquire an arsenal of special cosmetics. Ideally, it is better to prevent a problem, and to do this you need to be aware of its causes.

1. Causes of acne
2. Acne map on face
3. Determining the severity of the disease
4. Preventive measures to combat acne
5. Tools Overview

Causes of acne

Not so long ago, recurrent acne on the face received the status of a disease called “acne”, or “acne disease”. The attitude towards them has also become more serious, not just as a local cosmetic defect.

A pimple is an inflammatory element. The process of inflammation is associated with the sebaceous gland. When the outflow of sebum is disrupted for some reason, the ducts of the sebaceous glands become clogged, and acne propionbacteria begin to multiply in them.

To date, several factors have been studied that provoke disruption of the outflow of sebum and inflammation of the sebaceous glands.

Floury, sweet and fatty foods are often the causes of acne © iStock

Poor nutrition

Flour, sweets, and fatty foods are blamed for the appearance of acne - however, these three can be blamed for almost any health problem. Indeed, if you remove these foods from your diet, your skin will become noticeably clearer.

Prevention of rashes includes a healthy, balanced diet and the presence of essential vitamins in the diet. In particular, vitamins A, C, group B. To compensate for the deficiency of useful substances, you can take them in tablets or capsules.

Illiterate care

Oily skin is especially prone to increased activity of the sebaceous glands. That is why she needs products designed specifically for her. Cosmetics for other skin types will not be suitable - they are not able to remove excess fat, if we are talking about cleansing and moisturizing properly (to normalize sebum production).

The ducts of the sebaceous glands become clogged with excess sebum, which mixes with dead epidermal cells, particles of makeup, and everyday pollution. In this regard, when caring for oily skin, special emphasis should be placed on cleansing.

Obviously, touching your face with dirty hands or using unwashed brushes for cosmetics means provoking acne.

Hormonal imbalance

To combat acne, products based on zinc, salicylic acid, and clay are produced. © iStock

And if estrogens (female sex hormones) suppress the production of sebum, then androgens (male hormones), on the contrary, stimulate it. In addition, the point is not so much in the excess of androgens, but in the sensitivity of the sebaceous gland receptors to them. Therefore, with the same hormone levels, one person will have acne and another will not.

Acne in a woman after 20-30 years is a reason to visit a gynecologist and endocrinologist.

Diseases

These are mainly problems with the gastrointestinal tract. If there are problems with digestion (including as a result of poor nutrition), the balance of microflora is disrupted. This also affects the condition of the skin.

Digestive disorders lead to an excess of toxins in the gastrointestinal tract, from where they enter the bloodstream and can negatively affect the condition of the skin, contributing to the occurrence of inflammation.

Emotional condition

For a person with problem skin, stress is a powerful risk factor. The pimple pops up at the most crucial moment, because this moment is associated with emotions and excitement.

“It is known that the stress hormone cortisol provokes increased production of sebum and, as a result, clogged pores,” explains Vichy brand expert Elena Eliseeva.

For the same reason, the connection between deteriorating skin quality and lack of sleep becomes clear. Lack of sleep is also stressful for the body.

Stress and lack of sleep often trigger rashes. Avoid both. © iStock

Climatic factor

Subcutaneous mite

Demodex (subcutaneous mite) is a rather controversial cause of acne. It lives in the skin of 80% of people, but begins to cause trouble, including acne, only against the background of additional health problems or allergies to its waste products.

Acne map on face

Most often, the localization of the rash indicates that it is in this area that the sebaceous gland receptors are very sensitive to the effects of hormones. It is believed that the location of the rash can determine the nature of the problems in the body. In fact, dermatologists do not support this theory, but for general information we will still write about it.

“Favorite” places for acne to appear are the forehead, nose, and chin. © iStock

Part of the so-called T-zone. There are many sweat and sebaceous glands located here, so the skin is often characterized by increased oiliness. It is believed that rashes on the forehead indicate diseases of the large and small intestines.

In adolescence, acne on the cheeks predominates in boys. If acne appears in this area in women, it makes sense to check the hormonal system and intestines.

The nose is also part of the T-zone, where there are many sebaceous and sweat glands.

Here, acne no longer appears in adolescence, but after 30. They are usually associated with hormonal disorders and gynecological problems.

Determining the severity of the disease

The more rashes and inflammations, the more severe the disease. If we are not talking about single pimples, you should consult a dermatologist.

Preventive measures to combat acne

Clear skin for people whose skin is prone to breakouts is the result of careful daily care. It looks something like this.

Cleansing using a special product: it will remove excess sebum, impurities, and makeup.

Washing using gel or foam for oily or problematic skin and toning. Once or twice a week, deep cleansing using clay-based masks is recommended (an approximate scheme for such cleansing is given below).

Hydration – a mandatory step in caring for oily skin. Lack of moisture provokes increased production of sebum. Due to the use of aggressive cleansers, oily skin often becomes dehydrated. It urgently needs moisture to maintain hydrolipid balance. Moisturizing normalizes sebum secretion, which helps fight inflammation and infection.

Camouflage imperfections using foundation, corrector or powder designed specifically for problem skin.

© skin.ru

Tools Overview

Acne prevention program. Cleansing

As a cleansing gel, it cleanses and mattifies the skin. If used as a scrub, it exfoliates and prevents pore clogging. As a mask, it deeply cleanses pores and visually tightens them (apply for 3 minutes, rinse with warm water).

eucalyptus extract, salicylic acid, zinc

Suitable for pre-cleansing before washing: removes makeup, removes impurities.

Completes the cleansing process and tightens pores.

salicylic acid, zinc

Deeply cleanses problematic skin.

two types of mineral clay, thermal water with selenium

Cleanses the skin of excess sebum and impurities, reduces blackheads, pimples and their marks.

charcoal, salicylic acid, blueberry extract

Exfoliates the skin, effectively cleanses pores, prevents the appearance of acne and fights existing ones.

charcoal, salicylic acid, blueberry extract

Skin problems, namely acne, accompany puberty and are almost inevitable. Fortunately, acne goes away or is significantly reduced after age 20. But for adults, acne becomes a big problem. The problem is more common in women and is associated with hormonal imbalance.

I wash my face often, but my acne does not decrease

Acne begins with the development of a sebaceous plug that clogs the follicles on the face. These plugs darken over time, hence the term blackheads. If the pore is covered with a layer of skin, the sebaceous plug does not darken and a “whitehead” is formed.

Once a follicle becomes clogged, it begins to enlarge as skin cells and sebum are produced. Bacteria live in the follicle, so bacterial contamination of the sebaceous plug occurs. If the sebaceous plug increases in size sufficiently, the wall of the follicle ruptures. The sebaceous mass gains access to deeper tissues, which causes inflammation in the form of a pimple.

Does taking birth control pills cure acne?

Some birth control pills help adult women treat acne.

Could using cosmetics cause acne?

Some oily substances cause acne. If such substances are included in cosmetics, then their use is harmful to the skin of the face. Use water-based cosmetics, they are safe.

Is stress really one of the causes of acne?

In the modern world, stress is a part of everyday life. But it is still advisable to avoid stressful situations.

Acne on the face causes a lot of discomfort. You may want to suppress acne, but this is strictly prohibited. As a rule, after this the condition of the face worsens.

Does eating chocolate cause acne?

There is no evidence that diet is one of the main causes of acne. If you notice that a certain food causes acne, then eliminate it.

What are deep cysts?

Cystic acne is the most common and severe form of acne. After such acne, scars form. Cystic acne is quite rare in adults. People with cystic acne require aggressive drug therapy.

What types of acne are there?

Typical teenage acne, so-called acne vulgaris, is characterized by three types of lesions:

1. Comedon or acne
2. Inflammatory papule
3. Pustule or pimple

Drug-induced acne is difficult to distinguish from other types of acne. The main symptom is the appearance of acne after taking medications.

Machinists exposed to insoluble cutting oils may develop comedones at the sites of exposure.

Acne often occurs due to hormonal problems caused by excessive production of androgen hormones.

Could my acne be caused by anemia?

There is no connection between anemia and acne.

Are acne forever?

Acne tends to go away with age. When acne appears in adults, it is necessary to identify and eliminate the causes of excess androgens. To do this, you need to take a series of blood tests for diagnosis and undergo treatment.

What is the most effective acne treatment?

There are a number of medications that are very effective in treating acne. For example, benzoyl peroxide gels and creams and salicylic acid preparations. They are inexpensive and can be purchased at the pharmacy.

There are a number of drugs that can only be purchased with a prescription. These include topical and oral antibiotics, topical and oral retinoids, oral contraceptives, and steroid hormone receptor blocking drugs.

How to prevent acne?

There is no universal way to prevent acne. It is definitely necessary to use non-comedogenic cosmetics (including hair products), stop taking acne-causing medications and lead a healthy lifestyle. A well-balanced diet, exercise and plenty of sleep won't hurt.

Acne (or acne) is characterized by visible blemishes and lesions on the skin, commonly referred to as pimples. Most often they appear on the face, chin, temples, and sometimes on the neck, back, chest and shoulders. Although acne is not considered a serious disease that can be life-threatening, severe acne can lead to the formation of deep scars on the skin.

Most young men and women experience at least a few small pimples from time to time. At the same time, young men are more prone to severe forms of cystic acne, while in girls acne is often periodic (occurs depending on the menstrual cycle).

At the same time, women are more likely than men to develop depression and low self-esteem due to acne.

At what age do acne go away in girls?

Contrary to popular belief, acne does not go away on its own after age 18. If the problem exists, then neither the beginning of sexual activity nor childbirth (as the older generation sometimes claims) will help solve it. For some girls, on the contrary, acne begins to appear only after 20, 30, and sometimes 40 years. In addition, women suffer from acne almost twice as often as men.

According to statistics, approximately 80% of people aged 11 to 30 suffer from acne at one time or another.

Can an adult girl get acne from eating sweets?

Although food and the digestive system do not directly affect the condition of the skin, certain foods can still trigger acne.

The main causes of acne are considered to be hormones and inflammation. Sugar and sweet foods can worsen hormonal acne. Insulin and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) are hormones that have been linked to acne. Research shows that IGF-1:

1. aggravates acne - the higher the level of IGF-1, the worse the acne;
2. enhances sebum production;
3. increases the size of pores, making them more visible.

Obviously, high levels of IGF-1 are bad for the skin. Insulin has the same effect as IGF-1, but it is not as strong.

How does this relate to sweets and acne?

Insulin and IGF-1 are linked to blood sugar levels. When a girl consumes carbohydrates, and especially sugar, her blood glucose levels increase. The pancreas responds by releasing insulin, a hormone that pulls sugar into cells and lowers its levels in the blood. High insulin levels increase the content and bioavailability of IGF-1.

In addition, sugar promotes inflammation. This is another reason for the appearance of acne on the face and body of girls. Studies have shown that patients with acne have higher levels of inflammation than those with healthy skin. At the same time, the content of antioxidants in the body is reduced, which makes the skin even more susceptible to acne. Inflammation is the cause of food allergies, gut problems and acne.

Sugar worsens inflammation. One study of 29 healthy men found that drinking 350-700 ml of sparkling water daily for 3 weeks increased C-reactive protein (CRP) in the blood, which is a marker of inflammation in the body. At the same time, drinking one can of soda increases inflammation by 87%, and two - by 105%.

Fast food and foods with a high glycemic index worsen the condition of acne, while foods with a low GI, on the contrary, improve it.

REASONS FOR ACNE ON THE FACE AND CHIN IN GIRLS

For most women, the main cause of acne is hormones. There are also several associated factors that influence the development of acne.

Heredity and genes may be responsible for skin hypersensitivity to inflammation and acne, increased oiliness and rapid production of skin cells that clog pores.

Infection can make acne worse.

Acne can be caused by inflammation in the pores of the skin. This is usually the result of systemic inflammation in the body. This often results in the formation of cystic acne.

Acne can appear due to a deficiency of certain nutrients in the body. Vitamins A, D and K support healthy skin. Replenishing your supply of these vitamins can help resolve your acne problem.

This is the main cause of acne. Hormones play an important role in the production of sebum. There are two main hormones that cause cystic acne: testosterone and DHEA-S.

Testosterone is a male sex hormone that is also found in the body of healthy girls. Its level in women is often elevated, often due to insulin resistance (insensitivity). When insulin is high, the ovaries produce excess testosterone. This causes many problems in girls, including polycystic ovary syndrome.

Other causes of high testosterone:

1. stress,
2. high DHEA sulfate,
3. low estrogen,
4. intense exercise and fasting after training.

DHEA-S is another hormone that may influence acne in girls. Unlike testosterone, it is produced by the adrenal glands. When a person experiences stress, the level of this hormone increases.

There is another hormone that causes acne - progesterone. It does not affect sebum production, but instead blocks estrogen activity in the skin. For this reason, women on progestin-only contraceptives or using progesterone IUDs often suffer from acne.

WHY GIRLS GET ACNE ON THE BACK, CHEST, HIPS, SHOULDERS: REASONS

Most often, acne occurs in the area around the mouth, on the chin and cheekbones - in these places the skin has many hormonal receptors. The shoulders, back, buttocks and thighs also contain hormonal receptors, so girls often develop acne there too. Typically, acne and oily skin indicate a hormone imbalance, excess testosterone or DHEA-S. Other symptoms of hormonal imbalance in women include:

To check hormonal levels and the functioning of the endocrine system, the doctor may order blood tests for testosterone, DHEA, progesterone, estradiol, LH, FSH and thyroid hormones - T3, T4 and TSH. With a complex of disorders, a girl may be diagnosed with PCOS.

HOW A GIRL GET RID OF Pimples AND ACNE: TREATMENT METHODS

After taking tests and identifying the causes to combat acne, the doctor may prescribe medications with retinoids - adapalene, isotretinoin (Klenzit, Differin, Adaklin, Retasol, retinoic ointment), external agents with azelaic acid (Skinoren, Azelik, etc.), with benzoyl peroxide (Baziron, etc.), lotions with salicylic acid. In severe cases of acne, hormonal drugs, antibiotics and isotretinoin tablets may be prescribed for a course of treatment.

Apart from this, some vitamins and supplements also help get rid of acne and improve skin condition.

Taking zinc tablets may slightly reduce acne symptoms. Research shows that people with severe acne often have a zinc deficiency. In addition, this mineral is credited with the ability to inhibit 5α-reductase. A course of zinc intake reduces symptoms by about a third.

Taking silymarin (milk thistle extract) for at least eight weeks reduces inflammation in acne sufferers (Acne vulgaris). According to experience, N-acetylcysteine ​​has also proven effective in the fight against acne. Scientists have also noted the importance of antioxidants for natural protection and faster skin recovery from acne.

A significant reduction in the total number of lesions was observed in those who took N-acetylcysteine ​​supplements for at least two months. A group of subjects found a 50 percent reduction in the total number of lesions when taking 1,200 mg of N-acetylcysteine ​​per day for 8 weeks.

Pantothenic acid deficiency may be associated with acne. One experiment found an improvement in skin condition in people suffering from moderate acne. In this case, the experiment involved a drug containing 2200 mg of pantothenic acid, 733.3 mg of L-carnitine and B vitamins. The condition improved by 68% when taking the complex for 12 weeks.

Scientists have found that 2.5% dexpanthenol (with 6% borage oil) improves hydration of the stratum corneum, which is also important for acne. Borage oil is more effective in combination with dexpanthenol, but it also works alone. When used without oil, both 1% and 2.5% dexpanthenol also appear to improve stratum corneum hydration.

In addition, D-panthenol is useful for reducing inflammation and treating cheilitis after isotretinoin.

A double study using 200 mcg chromium picolinate for 8 weeks found a significant reduction in plasma insulin levels and improvement in insulin sensitivity in women with PCOS. Another study also using 200 mcg chromium picolinate for 8 weeks found a reduction in acne, hirsutism, C-reactive protein, and an improvement in total antioxidant capacity, but no changes in hormones (FSH, LH, prolactin, and free testosterone). Chromium supplementation may improve some symptoms and metabolic profiles in girls with polycystic ovary syndrome, although no effect on sex hormone levels was found.

Nicotinamide has an anti-inflammatory effect in various disorders. In the fight against acne, 4% niacinamide gel (2 times a day) works better compared to 1% clindamycin gel. After 8 weeks of therapy, the severity of acne and the number of lesions are significantly reduced. That being said, niacin appears to be more effective when used on oily skin. In addition, its external use accelerates skin healing from burns.

When taken in medium doses for 3–6 months, myo-inositol reduces the manifestations of severe and moderate acne, while 53% of subjects experienced complete disappearance of acne. This pseudovitamin primarily helps girls with insulin resistance get rid of acne.