What is Acne?

What is Acne and how to prevent it?

---

CAUTION: ESTHETICIANS ARE NOT LICENSED TO DIAGNOSE SKIN DISORDERS OR DISEASES. WE REFER CLIENTS TO A PHYSICIAN IF WE THINK THEY HAVE A DISORDER OR DISEASE THAT NEEDS MEDICAL ATTENTION.
​

---

WHAT IS ACNE?

Acne is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder of  your sebaceous (oil) gland. It is called comedones and blemishes. 
Our skin just like oranges has pores or tiny holes on it that can be blocked by oil, dirt, bacteria and dead skin cells. Over production of oil on our follicles, accumulation of bacteria that builds up on pores can cause our skin to dramatically purge.  There are many types of acne and one common acne is known as : "Acne SImplex or Acne Vulgaris".  When our skin comes in contact  with a free radical, our pores are blocked by oil, dirt and bacteria. When this occurs, we may develop a red bump that we call a pimple or “zit.” Inflammation of the oil glands results from over production of bacteria called Propionibacterium Acne or P. Acne, retained oil secretions or acquired dead skin cells. If your skin is experiencing this condition, you may have acne.

IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM? How does it affect us?

Acne is one of the most common skin problem. Although adult acne is more common in females for various reasons. Acne can be a  huge problem as it could  affect us physically and emotionally  due to painful effect of the infection and it can be very stressful. The severeness of the skin damage can cause our self-esteem to decline or drop instantly, most especially when it is painful to heal and often times leaves physical scarring. Many  skin condition are harmful and  life threatening. However, acne isn’t a life-threatening condition. 

What are the symptoms of acne?

Acne doesn't dramatically appear overnight. Some people may experience appearance of zits or may feel a congested area that has a red bump. Acne takes time to develop as it also takes some time to heal. A pimple or Acne appears when bacteria grows in a clogged pore/follicle and the oil is trapped under the dead skin cell . Acne can be found almost anywhere on our body. It is mostly common to see these oil development mainly on our face,back & chest. Neck and shoulders would come next. When we experience having a bump,zit,  pimple or acne, we normally see 4 things.

• 1. whitehead
• 2. blackhead
• 3. bump (normally tender, itchy and painful)
• 4. Pus

Both blackheads and whiteheads are known as Comedones (plural). A comedo or comedones is a non-inflamed buildup of cells, sebum and debris inside a follicle. A blackhead or "open comedo" is an oxydized oil formation. A whitehead is a closed comedo. When the follicle is blocked with dead skin cells and white cells, whiteheads are formed.  Blackheads started as whiteheads and open at the surface of the skin, due to oxidation the color appears darker or black. . Whiteheads appear white as it only stays just under the surface of your skin, with less exposure to oxygen. While whiteheads and blackheads are the most common lesions seen in acne. Meanwhile,  other types can still occur beneath the layers of the skin.  These problems contribute to the development of pimples that later on becomes acne. The severeness of a lesion may likely to cause physical scarring.

• BULLA : A large blister containing watery fluid.
• CYSTS : A closed, abnormally develop sac containing fluid and infection. Normally painful. ( Cystic acne is one type of cyst)
• MACULES:  A red flat spot or discoloration left after a pimple is healed.
• NODULES:  A painful lump beneath the surface of your skin and are often referred as a tumor. 
• PAPULE:  A small elevation on the skin that contains fluid that may develop into a pustule
• PUSTULE :  Are blisters with pus ( acne, pimple)

What are other Causes that develops to Acne?

As I mentioned in the beginning, women are more prone to acne for various reasons. Most men typically gets it when they are much younger or  if they are born with acne prone skin.  Adrenal glands are responsible for stress producing hormones and women tend to produce extra hormones. 
Here are some reasons associated to development of acne. ​

• Hormonal fluctuations from birth control pills
• premenstrual changes
• pregnancy
• Menopause
• Cosmetics
• Dirty phone/pillow cases/ towel
• D I E T : sugar and dairy food, MSG, SALT,etc.
• H E R E D I T A R Y
•  S T R E S S
• Irritation

All of which can lead to acne inflammation in women. Hormonal Acne is often seen on the chin area. Hormones tend to change seasonally. Any changes that may fluctuate or rise our hormone will cause most women to breakout which often occurs during puberty stage. Most people at risk developing acne are teenagers.  During our teenage years, our body undergoes hormonal changes and it applies for both genders. These hormonal changes can trigger the production or oil in the follicles, leading to an increased risk of acne. Most of the time the acne subsides and improves as we reach adulthood.

HOW CAN WE TREAT ACNE?

There are many ways to help clients control acne. A good skincare treatment  will work great if you follow the proper skin regimen. Proper nutrition and using the right products will help with skin problems. Estheticians and Skincare specialists can educate clients in caring for the skin. We can help prevent the flare ups and the cause of the skin problem. However, we can only refer you to a Dermatologist or ask you to be seen by a physician if the acne problem needs a prescription drug.
 Treatments that are mild to intense treatments are as follow:

• Deep cleansing facial
• Microdermabrasion
• Hydrofacial,
• Chemical peels
• Microneedling
• Laser treatments
• Dermaplanning

​

 All of which are treatments for acne. Salicylic Acid is often used on chemical peels as it helps kill the bacteria and dry out the Acne immediately. Most of the time Physicians would prescribe Benzoyl Peroxide cream to help dry out any existing breakout and prevent new ones from showing up. Doctors can prescribe medications that may help reduce the symptoms and prevent physical scarring. Your doctor may recommend procedures to treat severe acne and prevent scarring. These procedures work by removing dead skin cells, damaged skin and reducing oil production. 

Acne Treatments are oftentimes successful. Most people see results after 2-6 treatments depending on how their skin reacts to the treatment and medication. Sometimes, acne starts clearing up within six to eight weeks. However, to prevent skin from purging and possible flare ups which are common, it will may require a long-term treatment. Building new skin takes some time to heal and we have to let our body heal naturally. The recovery time may be quicker for younger people and it may take longer for adults wit more mature skin. With the help of special treatments, we can achieve our goals of having better looking skin. Acne scarring can cause emotional distress but having a prompt and a more advanced treatment can help prevent scarring. Also, your dermatologist, skincare specialist and esthetician will have options designed to treat scarring.

How can acne be prevented?
​
It’s difficult to prevent acne most of the time. But you can take steps at home that will help prevent acne breakout after a treatment.

• watch your Diet
• Drink enough vitamins
• Sanitize your phone
• Wash pillow cases/ towel
• Double cleanse twice daily with Acne cleanser
• avoiding makeup that contains oil
• remove makeup before bed
• exfoliate 2-3/ week
• shower daily
• avoid rubbing the skin
• eating a healthy diet with minimal refined sugars
• reducing stress
• Get a regular Facial
• See your Doctor