What is acne on the face?

This question worries a good half of humanity, because acne, or acne, is the most common skin disease in the world. It is not life threatening, but can seriously ruin it. Let's try to solve the problem together.

1. What are acne
2. The main causes of acne
3. Types of eels
4. Acne and skin types
5. Rules for caring for problem skin
6. Acne marks: how to get rid of them
7. Cosmetics and prevention

What are acne

How to get rid of acne on your face? The answer to this question will require a good knowledge of the “material parts”. Let's start with the theory. Acne (acne vulgaris, from the Greek akme - “top”) is a kind of plug formed from a mixture of sebum and keratinized skin particles accumulated in the sebaceous gland and its ducts. This plug serves as an excellent substrate for the growth of bacteria.

Acne always appears against the background of hyperactivity of the sebaceous glands, but there are several other factors on which the status of this skin defect depends - whether it will be just an unesthetic, but generally harmless “black dot” or a full-fledged pimple filled with pus.

Look for the cause of acne formation.

The main causes of acne

Every phenomenon is explained not by one, but by several reasons. Acne is no exception to the rule.

Hormonal imbalance

This is the first and main reason. When your skin produces too much sebum, it can indicate two things:

about a high level of male sex hormones in the blood;

that the sebaceous glands are particularly sensitive to androgens.

“This is why acne and pimples most often appear on young skin during a period when the body is experiencing hormonal changes,” says Alexander Prokofiev, expert of the La Roche-Posay brand. “However, acne can appear not only in adolescence, but much later, when hormonal storms, it would seem, should have passed.”

In this case, there is a possibility of changes in the amount of steroid hormones in the blood, which can increase the hyperactivity of the sebaceous glands.

Bacteria multiply in the sebaceous plug.

Thickening of the stratum corneum of the skin

“The second name for this phenomenon is hyperkeratosis. It always goes hand in hand with increased skin greasiness and rashes, says Alexander Prokofiev. “The inability of the skin to promptly get rid of dead cells that clog pores and are part of the sebaceous plug is associated with the sensitivity of the sebaceous glands to hormones and often characterizes the skin of adolescents.”

A course of acid peels, aimed at eliminating hyperkeratosis and skin renewal, is often included in the acne treatment program.

Inflammatory processes

“Acne is a disease. However, the severity of acne varies. For some, it is limited to the appearance of minor rashes on the face, while for others it affects both the face and torso.”

The culprits behind the formation of inflammatory elements in acne are the bacteria Propionibacterium acnes, which quietly live at the mouth of the follicles of the sebaceous glands and do not bother anyone until they begin to receive food. To suppress their activity, doctors prescribe drugs for external and internal use.

Food – “right” or “wrong” – is not the root cause of acne. The main culprits, as we have already said, are hormones. But some food groups can provoke an exacerbation and give rise to inflammation in the sebaceous gland. These products include:

carbohydrates with a high glycemic index;

sugar and sweets.

Problems with the gastrointestinal tract

Despite the fact that a proper diet can be a good help in the fight against acne and pimples, there is no direct cause-and-effect relationship between diseases of the digestive system and the formation of comedones.

Types of eels

Comedones are divided into two large groups:

The severity of acne is determined by the number of inflammatory elements and their depth. If there are more than 10 pustules, but there are no deep nodes yet, there is a moderate degree of severity. If there are multiple pimples with white heads and deep inflammatory rashes, we can talk about a severe form of the disease.

They are also called blackheads. Blackheads appear when oil accumulates closer to the surface of the pore and becomes dark in color due to oxidation and the release of melanin. Such acne belongs to non-inflammatory elements. They are easily removed during cosmetic cleaning or regular home care and leave no residue.

Blackheads are easily removed during cleansing.

They also belong to the non-inflammatory group, but in whiteheads the sebaceous congestion has no outlet. These formations look like small white balls under the skin. To get rid of them, go to a cosmetologist. Do not try to remove them yourself - inept handling can damage blood vessels and provoke an inflammatory process.

These are red bumps that rise above the surface of the skin, they are also pimples without a purulent “cap”. Papules are a consequence of the inflammatory process in the sebaceous gland.

This is the name for pimples topped with a purulent vesicle (head). Like papules, these are inflammatory elements of acne. In their place, a stagnant red spot, post-inflammatory pigmentation, may later form.

The degree of acne is determined by the number of inflammatory elements.

They are also called subcutaneous acne. Dermatologists define them as “nodules” and classify them as deep inflammatory elements. The presence of internal acne on the face indicates the severity of the inflammatory process and characterizes acne of moderate or severe severity. In this case, systemic drug therapy is indicated to stop the process and prevent scars.

Rosacea is in no way associated with increased oiliness of the skin and is not a sign of acne at all, but of rosacea, a skin disease characterized by changes in the vascular wall and inflammatory processes in the skin.

Rosacea is localized on the convex parts of the face (nose, cheeks, forehead, chin), occurs most often in adults with fair skin, is accompanied by redness and visible vascular network.

Acne and skin types

Those with normal skin do not experience acne. The maximum that threatens them is isolated rashes. For example, before the start of the menstrual cycle in women.

Girls with mixed skin type are more likely to see pimples on the forehead, nose or chin before their critical days, that is, in areas of high activity of the sebaceous glands. Obviously, oily skin, which is characterized by an abundance of sebum, is the number one candidate for persistent acne, especially during puberty.

A pimple can appear on anyone, but only those with oily skin can seriously fear acne. The causes of rashes can be different, as well as treatment methods. The main thing is not to self-medicate and not to wait for acne to go away on its own.

The first task of oily skin is not to turn into problematic skin, that is, to avoid the appearance of multiple sebaceous plugs and comedones. Proper care based on proper daily cleansing, regular exfoliation and cosmetic cleansing will help keep the situation under control. If there are a large number of inflammatory elements, you need the help of a dermatologist who will draw up an individual treatment regimen.

Anyone who has encountered an acne problem has most likely done something that absolutely should not be done. And he paid for his mistake. To prevent history from repeating itself, let us explain once again what should absolutely not be done and why.

Cleanse your skin until it's squeaky clean

When your face is constantly shiny from excess oil and blackheads are annoying, you want to cleanse your skin so that it squeaks with cleanliness. This is usually what we do when using alkaline products and lotions with a high alcohol content. In vain: both alcohol and alkali actually degrease the skin, but at the same time deprive it of its protective hydrolipidic film. Left without natural protection, the skin begins to compensate for losses and produce sebum with triple zeal.

Aggressive cleansing aggravates skin problems with acne: disruption of the natural lipid barrier causes a protective reaction, which is expressed in increased sebum production. Use mild, non-alkaline cleansers with a normal or acidic pH.

Burn “unripe” pimples with alcohol

Attempts to relieve inflammation and remove the pimple before it comes out using alcohol only lead to further injury to the surface of the skin. In this case, alcohol does not penetrate deeply and does not reach the source of inflammation.

Special pharmaceutical preparations, as well as SOS products for local application, but not alcohol, can extinguish the inflammatory process and cope with a pimple at the initial stage.

Squeeze pimples

Yes, it is beyond human strength to resist temptation. If you are determined to get rid of the abscess, use local anti-inflammatory drugs. You should not injure the skin in the area of ​​the rash, because after damage, inflammation may intensify or post-inflammatory pigmentation may remain.

Do not try to get rid of deep nodes on your own, so as not to aggravate the situation and prevent scarring.

Acne marks: how to get rid of them

Stagnant red spots and post-acne scars are an unkind memory that acne leaves behind. Fighting them takes time and special procedures.

Cryomassage

Liquid nitrogen massage has been and remains the most effective method against stains. Gradually they turn pale and then completely disappear due to improved local blood circulation.

Acid peels

They help visually smooth out scars and reduce their depth.

Cold massage solves the problem of post-acne.

Fractional laser

A hardware alternative to chemical peeling, aimed at renewing the skin and reducing the visibility of scars.

Cosmetics and prevention

It is impossible to cure acne with cosmetics, but this does not mean that problem skin does not need to be taken care of. Moreover, separate cosmetic lines are dedicated to her, capable of providing her with everything necessary to improve her appearance and condition.

Products for cleansing and toning oily skin with acne.

Cosmetics for the prevention of acne and for oily acne-prone skin.

moisturizes, controls oily shine, corrects imperfections

Acne was previously considered a problem among teenagers. Today it often occurs even at the age of forty.

Unfavorable environmental conditions and a passion for fast food increase the activity of the sebaceous glands and additional stress.

The onset of hormonal changes is clearly reflected on the skin in the form of acne, which spreads both over the skin of the face and throughout the body.

What it is

The term acne refers to a purulent inflammatory process of the sebaceous glands of a chronic and recurrent nature. It occurs where sebum secretion is increased, so it is often found in people with oily skin.

From a medical point of view, acne is called the term “acne”, which, translated from Greek, characterizes an elevation or mountain; this is exactly the shape of ulcers.

Acne is not a minor cosmetic defect that can be easily hidden under makeup; it is a problem that affects a person’s psycho-emotional state. People with acne often have complexes, it is difficult for them to adapt to society, and many are lonely.

Most often, acne is concentrated in the area where large sebaceous glands are located: on the face, scalp, cheeks, nose and chin.

Acne is classified depending on location, severity of manifestation, and degree of inflammatory process. More details below.

The inflammatory process affects the ducts of the sebaceous glands located in the thickness of the skin. A large volume of pus forms in the tissues. On the surface there are tubercles of white, yellowish and red color.

Acne is localized in the area of ​​the skin most prone to inflammation: the back, shoulders, neck, chest and face.

Negative factors affecting the skin lead to inflammation of the sebaceous gland ducts. Nearby tissues swell, and purulent masses form in the deep layers of the skin. The size of a subcutaneous pimple is from 1 mm. up to 1 cm.

This type of acne appears as a result of blockage of the hair follicle. This type of acne received a similar name because it manifests itself in the form of papules and pustules.

A peculiarity is that after them, hyperpigmentation of the skin, as well as scars, may be observed. Most often, the skin of adolescents aged 16 to 290 years is affected.

This type of acne is characterized by painful sensations. Improper treatment therapy leads to the spread of infection and the appearance of post-acne.

Localized on the skin of the chin, cheeks, nose. The problem is most often faced by people who have either combination or oily skin types.

The sebaceous secretion should come out freely and the glands should come out. If for some reason this process is disrupted, then deep acne occurs.

The risk increases with improper or insufficient cleansing of the skin, as well as with the habit of touching your face with dirty hands.

The reason for the appearance of these acne is the use of hormonal drugs. They do not pose a threat to human life, but are a powerful cosmetic defect.

The peculiarity of steroid acne is that upon completion of taking hormonal medications, they gradually disappear. Acne is concentrated on the back, chest and shoulders.

Reasons: increased production of subcutaneous sebum, clogged pores. The tissues around the site of formation swell, and a purulent core can be seen in the middle.

A common symptom is painful sensations that do not go away until the pimple opens and pus comes out. After this, the pain subsides and the wound heals.

Why do they appear?

There are a number of reasons why acne appears in teenagers:

1. Genetic predisposition. The likelihood of acne increases if your parents suffered from this problem during adolescence.
2. Hormonal background. During adolescence, hormones become active, which leads to increased formation of subcutaneous fat.
3. Stress does not cause acne, but it does aggravate the problem.
4. Eating foods that cause acne.
5. Excessive hygiene procedures.
6. Oil-based facial care cosmetics.
7. Side effect from taking medications.

The main causes of acne in women:

1. Hormonal imbalance.
2. Incorrectly selected skin care products.
3. Stress and fatigue.
4. Poor nutrition or problems with the gastrointestinal tract.

Elma acne lotion. More details here.

Treating facial acne at home

If acne appears, it is recommended:

1. Limited consumption of sweets, flour and fatty foods. If fatty foods cannot be excluded, then eat lemons.
2. Take parsley decoction or carrot juice on an empty stomach.
3. Infusion of stinging nettle leaves. To prepare, you will need 2 tablespoons of crushed nettle leaves and 0.5 liter of boiling water. Pour boiling water over the collection, wrap it up and let it brew for 2 hours. Drink half a glass 4 times a day before meals.
4. Dandelion root infusion. Pour one tablespoon of the mixture into a glass of boiling water and keep on low heat for 15 minutes. Refrigerate and take half a glass daily before each meal.
5. Burdock root decoction. Pour 500 ml of crushed mixture into a spoon. water and boil for 10 minutes. Cool and take 60 ml. three times a day.
6. Brewer's yeast, which should be consumed 1-2 teaspoons before meals. They effectively fight juvenile acne. Today, tableted brewer's yeast is available for sale.

Masks that can be prepared at home effectively fight acne. If a person is predisposed to allergic reactions, then a test must be performed before use.

To do this, apply a small amount of the product to your wrist. If after two hours there is no rash or redness, then you can safely use it.

Honey and cinnamon mask

Mix a small amount of honey with cinnamon and heat in a water bath. Apply to face and leave for 20 minutes. Rinse with warm water and pat dry with a towel. There is no need to apply cream after the procedure.

Video: Mask recipe

Cleansing mask

To prepare, you need 1 aspirin tablet, which must be crushed, 1 teaspoon of honey and lemon juice. Mix all ingredients thoroughly and apply to face. Leave for 15 minutes. The mask carefully removes the dead skin layer and helps open pores.

Mask based on chamomile and calendula

This mask must be applied at night. Make a decoction of equal parts chamomile and calendula. Cool slightly and mix with two furatsilin tablets.

Apply to face and wash off in the morning. To achieve a positive result, this mask must be used for 2 weeks.

Clay mask

You will need white clay, which you can buy at the pharmacy. Mix two tablespoons of clay with a few drops of tea tree oil. The mask has a wound-healing and drying effect, which is necessary in the treatment of acne.

Lotion

Grind a few aloe leaves and mix with water in a ratio of 1:3. A plant that is at least 3 years old has healing properties. Bring to a boil and cool. Wipe your face 4 times a day. Aloe preparations can be purchased at the pharmacy.

Ice cubes

Frozen decoction is an effective remedy for fighting acne, which can replace the usual washing with water.

Take St. John's wort and chamomile in equal proportions, add water and bring to a boil. Boil for 20 minutes. Let the broth brew. After this, pour into portion molds and place in the freezer.

Wipe your face after waking up. Systematic use will help tone the skin and cope with acne.

How to treat pink

Doctors call rosacea on the face chronic dermatitis of unknown origin. At the initial stage, lotions and dressings made from decoctions and juice of cranberries, calendula, and yarrow are effective. The product should be at room temperature.

Ointments as local remedies for acne:

1. Ruboril is a cream that has a regenerating effect on the skin of the face. Used in complex therapy for the treatment of acne: reduces redness, reduces, and has an anti-inflammatory effect. The cream is applied in a thin layer to previously cleansed and dry skin twice a day. After absorption, you can use decorative cosmetics.
2. Skinoren is available in the form of cream and ointment. The drug destroys the keratinized top layer and also has an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effect. The gel is most effective. It must be applied several times a day. The course of treatment is 3 months. With systematic use, improvements are noticeable after three weeks.
3. Antibiotics. For topical use, erythromycin ointment is used. Apply twice a day, morning and evening. It is also used in complex therapy.

The procedure for removing whiteheads must be entrusted to a cosmetologist. At home, ointments and creams that exfoliate dead skin cells are effective. It is necessary to use medicinal cosmetics at home only after consultation with a specialist.

Infusion of iodine will help dry out acne. Before the procedure, steam and cleanse the skin. Next, treat the tubercles point by point. Carry out the procedure before going to bed, and in the morning lubricate the areas with alcohol. This leads to self-opening of the pimple.

Diet and physical activity

A daily diet for acne should be comprehensive and balanced.

Helpful Tips:

1. Establish a drinking regime. Every day you need to drink 2.5 - 3 liters of water.
2. Vegetables can be consumed boiled, stewed or baked.
3. Eat fruits low in sugar.
4. Lean meats and fish are allowed.
5. Low-fat lactic acid products.
6. Cereals and legumes.
7. Exclude sweet and flour products, fatty foods, alcohol, coffee, fast food.
8. In the autumn-winter period, taking vitamins is necessary.

Long walks in the fresh air and moderate physical activity can improve skin condition.

This stimulates the metabolism and elimination of harmful substances, strengthens the immune system, fights depression and improves the condition of the skin.

When going to the gym, cleanse your skin before and after your workout. Do not use cosmetics before going to the gym. Avoid products that increase muscle mass.

Each of us has faced the problem of acne. This is an unpleasant and troublesome phenomenon; it frightens with the unpredictability of its appearance and development. Acne is often treated incorrectly, and the main reason for rash actions is the lack of knowledge in this area. To effectively fight acne, you need to understand the types of acne, know how they differ from each other and understand the severity of the disease. If these parameters are known, then the search for a treatment regimen is simplified.

Disease severity

There are four degrees of severity of the disease.

The first one is the easiest. Light form flows smoothly, it can be seen on the face of a teenager or an adult. The first stage is characterized by a small number of blackheads and they look like closed acne or open acne (comedones). As a rule, there is no inflammatory process. However, within the first degree, several pustules are allowed. Treatment can be carried out at home, but it must take place, otherwise the disease will begin to progress. When acne disappears, there are usually no traces left.

The second stage of the disease begins when there is up to 11 pieces of different eels. It is manifested by the presence of closed acne, blackheads, redheads and pustules. It happens to both teenagers and mature people, for example, women during their menstrual periods. Self-treatment is acceptable, but if acne has not disappeared within three weeks, then you should go to a dermatologist.

The third degree is a severe form of the disease. It has already spread to the body and counts up to 40 pimples different types. You can see the inflammatory process and suppuration. Pimples look larger than in the first two stages. Post-acne appears, which looks like stagnant spots and scars. At the third stage, acne “multiplies” uncontrollably, capturing more and more new territories, so you need to urgently go to the doctor. If this is not done or if you begin to treat it yourself, it can result in ugly scars and blood poisoning.

At the fourth stage of the disease, there is already a whole “army” of pimples on the skin with various shades and sizes. Often several pimples merge together and form cysts and nodes. Dark spots and large scars form on the skin, and the affected areas bleed and fester; at the slightest friction of clothing, breakouts form. As a rule, the back, shoulders, and chest are completely affected. If professional treatment by a dermatologist is not carried out at this stage, then this can be dangerous not only for the beauty of the body, but also for health in general.

It is important to know that acne is a multifaceted disease, its course depends on the individual skin. Therefore, there is no uniform classification system for acne, but some types of acne have been studied, correctly diagnosed and treated by dermatologists.

Types of acne

All acne are divided into two types:

1. No inflammatory process.
2. With an inflammatory process.

Pimples without signs of inflammation, in turn, are divided into open comedones, which look like blackheads, and closed comedones, which look like whiteheads.

Acne with inflammatory symptoms has the following names:

How to determine whether there is an inflamed acne on the face or not? The appearance of the first one is larger and it catches the eye, disfiguring the face. There are signs of tissue swelling, redness, suppurationbecause there is an infection. Inflamed pimples are often painful and uncomfortable. If the acne has no signs of inflammation, then at one moment it can turn into an inflamed one; all you need to do is introduce an infection into the skin pore.

Comedones appear as a result of blockage of the ducts of the sebaceous glands. These pimples contain thick fat, dead cells and epithelial scales.

If such a blockage forms outside the pores, then open comedones occur. Why are they black? Since the pores are open, an oxidation reaction occurs caused by the action of oxygen on lumps of fat. As a rule, blackheads do not cause any trouble, however, if an infection occurs, the situation becomes the opposite.

Closed comedones or whiteheads, wen occur when there is a blockage of fat in the lower part of the pores. They resemble blood clots because they have no way out. They are invisible to the eye and are often felt only by touch. However, some of them are still noticeable, as they rise above the surface. They are called millet grains because they resemble grains.

Closed comedones form on the face in the area of ​​the cheeks, cheekbones, forehead and they don’t bother me too much - there is no inflammation or pain. However, despite some harmlessness, they are still dangerous, since they are capable of combining with neighboring inflammatory acne under the skin. As a result, a voluminous cavity is formed, which is gradually filled with pus. Thus, the wen can worsen the situation significantly.

Acne with an inflammatory process is also classified. For example, papules are comedones with inflammation, often arising from wen. In diameter their size is up to 1 cm, look like pink or red balls that rise above the surface of the skin. If you press a little, it temporarily changes color to white. Lacks white head. If the papule has grown from a blackhead, then you can see a dark fat plug. These acne are divided into types:

1. Superficial. Their size is up to 5 mm, after disappearing they leave no traces, sometimes a temporary stain forms.
2. Deep papules or nodules. They occupy the entire thickness, their diameter is from 1 to 3 cm. They are usually painful, colored red or blue-purple, when they disappear, they leave spots and scars on the skin that disfigure the appearance.
3. Cysts. With severe inflammation, dense formations with pus are formed. Often several merge into one, forming a chain of cyst-like papules. If you touch it, you might think that it is a dense capsule. They consist of chambers that are connected by fistulas. They cause a lot of trouble and leave a mark behind.

Acne on the face: causes and treatment

As a rule, acne appears due to hormonal imbalance. It occurs in adolescence, before the onset of the menstrual cycle, during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and at menopause. Often hormonal disorders lead to hyperkeratosis when the sebaceous glands do not work properly. This pathology is characterized by an increase in the upper, stratum corneum layer of the skin. As a result, blockage of the sebaceous glands occurs, which leads to acne.

Open pores are a target for pathogens. Therefore, acne often occurs as a result of skin damage by subcutaneous mites or fungi. The second reason for acne is clogged pores, for example, when decorative cosmetics are used. With improper care, acne almost always forms on the face.

The reasons for the formation of acne also lie in lipid metabolism disorders, which are signaled by increased activity of the sebaceous glands. Typically, an imbalance is caused by hot summers, abuse of tanning, both solar and artificial, and baths or saunas. An incorrect lifestyle can also provoke the appearance of acne - these are bad habits, poor nutrition, when you eat fatty, salty, fried or spicy foods.

Other reasons include allergic reactions to an irritant, as well as lack of vitamins. Acne can occur during a cold, when the body experiences a decrease in immunity, resulting in disruption of the sebaceous glands. But they can also be provoked by internal diseases such as dysbiosis and cholelithiasis. In this case, acne is localized on the forehead. If endocrine or digestive system disorders occur, then the chin is affected. On the nose - you need to get your immune system in order.

Doctors and cosmetologists never tire of repeating that squeezing pimples on your own is contraindicated! As a result of home self-medication, unpleasant consequences arise, which are expressed in the spread of acne to new areas and secondary blood poisoning with the appearance of age spots and scars. Treatment of acne is a complex process, it includes a number of stages:

1. 
   
   
   
   Prevention of the appearance of new comedones. Prevention is based on the selection of the necessary care products for problem skin, improvement of the body as a whole, which includes proper nutrition, stimulation of the immune system, as well as monitoring the effect of treatment drugs on the body.
2. Removing existing comedones with the help of medications, which include azelaic acid, benzoyl peroxide, tazarotene and others.
3. Reducing the amount of sebum using hormones and retinoids. This figure needs to be reduced to 30% or more.
4. Exfoliation of the upper layer of the epidermis using peels that contain salicylic or glycolic acid.
5. Facial cleansing using gentle ultrasound or other hardware-based, low-traumatic methods. This is an excellent alternative to chemical peels.
6. Antibacterial drugs are used for local and internal treatment of inflammatory processes.
7. Using various types of dermabrasion, laser resurfacing, cryotherapy, mesotherapy, ozone therapy and other methods, cosmetic removal of the effects of acne is carried out.
8. If necessary, parallel treatment of body systems is prescribed - treatment of the digestive system, gynecological, endocrine diseases.

Preventing acne

To prevent the occurrence and recurrence of acne you need follow a number of the following rules:

1. 
   
   
   
   The skin should be cleansed in the mornings and evenings with special mild products, for example, a water-soluble tonic, which will not only cleanse, but also moisturize.
2. Makeup must be washed off every evening, especially if it is liquid powder or foundation.
3. For washing, use water at a moderately comfortable temperature - barely warm or cool.
4. It is necessary to regularly exfoliate dead skin particles with special scrubs or peels. To avoid putting a lot of stress on your skin, choose one product. It is better if it is a chemical peel, it is gentler than a scrub.
5. Facial skin needs hydration and antioxidants. To do this, choose household products that are suitable for your facial skin type.
6. Locally it is necessary to use antibacterial drugs, for example, based on benzene peroxide.
7. You should regularly use sunscreen, this is especially important after procedures to exfoliate dead skin cells.
8. It is necessary to regularly change clothes, bed linen, and face towels - this will prevent unnecessary contact of microorganisms with the skin.

So, the main place in preventing the appearance of acne is prevention with proper skin care. But if acne does appear and is spreading, then you should not wait, much less start treating yourself; you should immediately go to a dermatologist to stop the inflammatory process.