What Do You Know About Acne?

Glands at the base of hair follicles produce oil that travels up the hair shaft. Oil trapped inside follicles causes acne.

Acne also commonly occurs on the chest.

Hormones, your genes, greasy makeup, and certain medications are more likely to cause blemishes, not hygiene or diet. Dirty skin, eating pizza, and chocolate do not cause pimples. Stress can worsen acne, although it doesn’t cause acne to develop.

Dead skin cells are shed rapidly inside the follicles during adolescence. The dead cells mix with oil in the glands and block follicles, causing blackheads or pimples.

Androgen causes the oil glands at the base of follicles to enlarge and produce more sebum. Glands overstimulated by the hormone are more likely to develop acne.

Dermatologists have several aims in treating acne: They want to heal the existing acne, stop new lesions from forming, prevent scarring, and ease the stress and embarrassment that acne can cause.

You should make sure all of your makeup, from eye shadow to hair care products, is oil-free. Choose products that are labeled noncomedogenic.

When your skin is exposed to the sun, it can become dry and irritated. This can trigger your skin to produce more oil. Sun exposure also increases the risk of acne scaring. Many acne treatments also make the skin vulnerable to UV damage. You should avoid spending a long time in the sun. When you do have to be in the sun, be sure to use noncomedogenic sunscreen.