Acne

What causes acne?

The oil glands in your skin produce a substance called sebum, which is a natural moisturizer. As your body matures, hormones cause these oil glands to produce larger quantities of sebum. Sebum, combined with a build-up of debris and shed skin cells, causes plugging of the follicles. The plug is called a comedone, more commonly known as a blackhead or whitehead. The tops of the blackheads are black because of a chemical reaction of the oily plug with air, not because they are dirty.

In addition, there are many bacteria or germs on the skin surface. Most of these are harmless, but some can become trapped in the opening of the oil gland, causing irritation and inflammation. The inflammation may be superficial or very deep. This is why there is a great variation in the type and severity of acne in different people.

Does acne occur only during the teen years?

Definitely not. Although it usually begins during adolescence, it can persist into adult life. It can also begin at any point during adulthood.

Why does acne tend to get worse at times?

• Changes in the hormone levels often affect acne. Many girls and women will notice a flare-up of acne before or during a menstrual period. Birth control pills or pregnancy also influence the degree of severity. Male hormones play a significant role in acne.
• It is thought by many that stress and tension can cause a worsening of acne.
• Certain medications may either cause acne or make existing acne worse. If you are taking any medication regularly, please tell your doctor or nurse.

Does diet affect acne?

There is a small body of evidence suggesting that refined sugars may flare acne in some individuals. However, there is not strong evidence that specific foods such as gluten, pizza, or fatty foods are causes of acne. Diet may cause acne to flare in certain individuals. If you notice that certain foods definitely worsen your acne, avoid them.

How is acne treated?

Unfortunately, there is no medical cure for acne. The goal of treatment is to control your acne until you outgrow it. This will take time; therefore, treatment may continue for months or years and may need to be changed from time to time. Even the most effective medications take at least 8 weeks to begin working, and sometimes even longer. It’s hard, but try to be patient with your treatment!

Remember: each person is different, and your dermatologist will recommend therapy tailored for you and the type of acne that you have.

Call Teton Dermatology at 307-734-1800 to schedule an appointment to evaluate your acne and develop a personalized treatment plan.

Call Teton Dermatology at 307-734-1800 to schedule an appointment to evaluate your acne and develop a personalized treatment plan.

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