What causes pimples on face?
What is the cause of the appearance of pimples in the face?
Acne is a skin disease that causes chronic inflammation, which is the appearance of pimples and pimples, especially on the face and other parts of the body.
The following are the main reasons for the appearance of pimples on the face:
The sebaceous glands produce large amounts of sebum:
Which leads to its accumulation and mixing with dead skin cells to form plugs for hair follicles; Which causes it to close, and if these clogged follicles open on the skin; They form blackheads, but if these clogged follicles are close to the surface of the skin, they swell outward, forming a white head. It is noteworthy that because the face contains most of the sebaceous glands; Young pimples usually appear in the face, and sebaceous glands are known as small glands located near the surface of the skin and produce the fatty substance known as sebum to moisturize hair and skin in order to prevent it from drying out, and these glands are connected to hair follicles that represent small holes in the skin through which each hair grows separately.
Accumulation of dead skin cells in the pores:
Sebum, bacteria, and dead skin cells can build up when the pores sometimes open, causing them to become clogged. These accumulated substances then reach under the skin, leaving a small red bump known as a pimple. Sometimes these pimples may be filled with pus due to a bacterial infection. These clogged pores have opened very deeply into the skin; It may lead to the formation of lumps or cysts larger than pimples called nodules, which may be painful, and it should be noted that in some cases large cysts may look like acne; But in fact, boils may be caused by a staph infection.
bacteria:
It is believed that the severity of acne and its frequency in the future depend on the strain of bacteria causing it. The type of bacteria that lives on the skin and contributes to acne is known as Propionibacterium acnes, but not all acne bacteria lead to the appearance of pimples. ; There is a strain of bacteria that keeps the skin free of pimples.
Risk factors for the appearance of pimples on the face
There are many risk factors that may trigger or increase the chance of developing facial acne, or may make symptoms worse, and they are listed below:
hormonal changes
Hormonal changes usually begin with the onset of adolescence; Androgen levels rise, which is believed to be the main factor that triggers acne, as increased levels of androgens lead to the growth and enlargement of the sebaceous glands under the skin, which in turn produces more sebum, whose accumulation may lead to bacterial growth due to cracking The cell walls of the pores and the opening of the pores clogged with sebum, as mentioned earlier, and it is indicated that androgens are converted into estrogen in women.
In addition, many women at other times experience changes in hormone levels as well, and the following is a statement of this:
menstruation:
Some women experience bouts of acne right before their period begins.
Polycystic ovary syndrome:
(Polycystic ovary syndrome); It is a common health problem, which is the formation of small cysts inside the ovary, and it may cause acne and weight gain in women.
pregnancy:
Many women may develop acne symptoms during pregnancy, especially during the first trimester. Some medications Some medications may increase the severity of acne symptoms, including: corticosteroids, lithium, or testosterone.
some medicine
Some medications, such as corticosteroids, lithium, or testosterone, may increase the severity of acne symptoms.
Diet
Although more studies are needed to find out whether people with acne problem may benefit from following a specific diet. However, it is indicated that eating some foods may exacerbate the problem of acne and worsen its symptoms, such as: foods rich in carbohydrates; Like bread and potato chips.
Other risk factors
In addition to what was previously mentioned, there are other factors that increase the chance of acne, as follows:
Age:
Acne can happen to all age groups including infants and newborns; But it is more common in adolescence.
Skin exposure to friction or pressure:
This can happen due to the use of some tools; Such as phones, helmets, and tight collars.
smoking:
It is noteworthy that smoking may contribute to the emergence of acne in the elderly.
family history:
Infection of parents with acne may increase the chance of acne in children.
dry skin:
It is known that oily skin is the most common cause of pimples, but dry skin scales can clog the pores of the skin as well. Which may increase the chance of acne, and dry skin contains small cracks in which bacteria can multiply and cause acne.
Working environment and climatic conditions:
Such as: restaurants or places where fats are routinely exposed, being in places of air pollution, and exposure to some climatic conditions, especially high humidity.
Other factors:
It includes the following:
Try to remove existing acne sores.
Personal care products that contain oils, such as: oily lotions or creams.
Not getting enough sleep.
Misconceptions about acne
The following is a statement of some of the common misconceptions that are associated with the appearance of acne:
Acne due to poor hygiene There is a misunderstanding about the association of acne with poor hygiene; Where some believe that acne appears due to not washing the skin sufficiently, but in fact, washing the surface oils secreted by the skin does not have a great role in preventing or treating acne because it is basically formed under the skin, and washing the skin frequently or rubbing it harshly may cause increased severity of acne symptoms; Therefore, it is recommended to gently clean the face twice a day using a gentle soap or wash on the skin, and it is also worth taking care to remove makeup without causing severe peeling of the skin.
The appearance of acne due to stress, stress does not cause acne, but in the case of suffering from acne at all; Stress can make symptoms worse.
Acne may also appear as a side effect of some medications used to treat stress or depression, and on the other hand, the social and emotional impact of acne symptoms may cause the patient to be stressed.
Other false beliefs
In addition to what was previously mentioned, there are false beliefs related to the appearance of acne, and the following is their statement:
Non-oily cosmetics:
Some believe that the use of cosmetics worsens the symptoms of acne, but this is not absolutely true; Oil-free products do not affect the effectiveness of acne medications, and using non-oily products, especially those that do not clog pores, as well as regularly removing makeup and cleaning the skin well, does not worsen acne symptoms.
intercourse:
Having sexual intercourse does not affect the appearance of acne and does not improve its symptoms in case of infection.
Anemia:
Some believe that anemia contributes to the appearance of acne; But in fact, anemia has no role in this.
infection occurs
Some believe that acne is contagious or transmitted from one person to another; But it is actually the opposite.