The most common form of acne is zits that appear on the face, back, chest, and chin. Some people have a more pronounced type of pimple on their forehead. Acne can occur anywhere on your body but it usually begins on your face. Acne is usually not caused by anything in your diet. It’s usually a combination of environmental factors and genetics, which play a role in how common acne is.
Acne starts with an inflammation or infection of one or both of the skin layers you are exposed to. Your immune system mistakenly attacks the follicular units (hair follicles) that contain the oil glands on your skin. These hair follicles produce sebum, the oily substance that acts as the “seed coat” for your hair. When the sebum falls out of your hair follicle, it clogs the follicle. If you don’t treat pimples and acne properly, they will grow bigger and deeper. This makes them more prone to developing other infections and problems such as blackhead, whitehead and nodule formation. Over time, they may cause scarring, a loss of hair follicle function, or even loss of your hair. Because your hair grows from your follicles, when the skin layer beneath the scalp is damaged or inflamed, your hair follicles cannot work properly. Hair follicles usually develop at different times on each individual hair strand; there is no relationship between baldness and hair growth. However, if you are bald, there could be some connection to a lack of circulation in your blood vessels, which can lead to scarring and decreased blood flow. So, when hair follicles cannot get rid of excess sebum or are damaged from overproduction or inadequate oxygen circulation, your balding hairs cannot grow as much. They can also become weak, brittle and thinning. In severe cases, acne can progress into cystic hyperpigmentation. A condition where your body produces too much melanin. This excessive production is what causes dark spots and uneven skin tone. Skin color and melanin levels can vary greatly. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, darker skin tones tend to be less susceptible to certain infections like cold sores due to increased production of vitamin D. But in general, dark skin tones often do better than lighter ones. Those who have been blessed with blonde hair have some protection against being infected by viruses. Melanin protects your hair from dirt and grime, while vitamin C keeps hair healthy, shiny and strong. Vitamin E helps reduce breakage and dandruff, although topical applications should be avoided. Sun exposure, poor hygiene, and stress can weaken the skin barrier. Excessive alcohol use and smoking can irritate the skin and potentially damage it. Overuse of pharmaceutical products (such as retinoids) can contribute to the development of unwanted changes on our skin. Exposure to mercury can lead to birth defects and, especially in men, chronic skin disorders with reddening, bleeding, lesions, or discoloration. Stress on your face can also make you more red and irritated, causing more breakouts. Allergies also increase your chances of getting acne because your body reacts poorly to allergenic reactions.
Treating acne starts with learning about the specific types of acne you have. There are many types of acne and they all share some similarities. While acne, on the face, doesn’t last forever, it lasts just a few days before going away. Zits are most often caused by inflammation caused by environmental conditions, genetics, hormonal changes, lifestyle changes, and/or genetic predisposition. You’ve probably had a bad break-up, or you got married (or fired!) and decided to start wearing sunscreen anyway. As soon as your hands and feet are dry, your pores start to open up and multiply. That happens to all of us at a point in our life when we feel pressured to look attractive and presentable. And acne erupts when our bodies are trying to protect themselves. For example, if you’ve gone through multiple pregnancies, you might have experienced stretch marks, pregnancy bumps, postpartum depression, and even a bit of colostomy care. Any physical change might disrupt your hormones, making your skin suddenly look dry or oily. After you get home from work or school, your body releases those hormones, so the next day you need a daily moisturizer to keep your skin looking fresh. That all changes as the day goes on. Most people can control their hormones, but hormonal imbalance, depression, weight gain, a stressful event, or a medical condition can still disturb your skin. Many other environmental situations (such as sun exposure) and medications can affect your skin. Hormones are chemicals that bind to receptors on your skin cells and send information about your environment to your brain. Certain medications can prevent new cells from forming over time; this can make your skin appear older, duller, and wrinkled. Even foods that promote healthy aging like drinking yogurt are known to disrupt hormone balance in your body. High fructose corn syrup, which appears to slow down the amount of insulin your body has to use, can also trigger acne breakouts. Foods high in sugar and refined carbohydrates (like cake, cakes, breads, crackers, candies, cookies) can mess up your blood sugar level, resulting in a spike or drop in your basal insulin. Basal insulin regulates how fast and how much glucose enters your bloodstream; a higher basal insulin means you are storing more glucose (sugar) to fuel your body. When you eat too many carbs without enough protein, you end up storing more sugar for energy. Then, the pancreas must release even more insulin to feed the body, which leads to another spike (or drop). This increases the sugar, causing more insulin production and a spike or crash in the number of insulin molecules your body needs to absorb glucose. Eating foods that are high in sugars has been linked with a greater chance of developing inflammatory skin conditions. Sugar is a sugar; you don’t use it in food as well as others. People who use sugar-sweetened beverages almost 30% of their energy intake (about 11 cups of coffee, 3–5 cups of soda, 7% of sugary cereals, 2 cups of sweets, etc.) have a 40% greater risk of obesity than non-heavy coffee drinkers. Other studies have found that eating sweet treats during meals can interfere with insulin sensitivity. Insulin sensitivity tells whether your body can respond to insulin properly. Having too little insulin can lead to Type I diabetes, or when the hormone is misregulated, diabetes can manifest itself in many ways. Glucose intolerance is characterized by feeling thirsty after consuming small amounts of carbohydrate and fat, causing thirst not satisfied or even very thirsty. Alcohol can actually help fight hunger and may therefore increase appetite, leading to overeating and the subsequent accumulation of sugar. On the flip side, excessive alcohol consumption may lead to liver disease. In addition, people may be unable to eliminate gut bacteria, which may worsen metabolic dysfunction, eventually leading to cardiovascular issues. Obesity increases the risk of heart disease, whereas unhealthy habits such as smoking (whether active (the habit includes inhaling and exhaling) or passive (such as snacking) may increase your risk of heart disease. It’s important to maintain good overall health in order to live a long and happy life. One easy way to stay healthy is through regular exercise. Exercise has been shown to benefit blood pressure and cholesterol, which all are associated with cancer. Regular exercising will allow your skin to stay healthier, reduce swelling and minimize any signs of aging. Physical activity helps to alleviate the symptoms of chronic diseases including arthritis, asthma, and autoimmune disease. Although exercise is beneficial for your mind, your body also needs time apart from work and school to reset. Taking breaks will give your brain and body the rest it needs to heal, learn, and renew. Keeping your face clean can help keep acne at bay, as well as preventing eye and nose infections that could spread the bacteria to your other parts of your body. Clean your facial skin frequently and gently wash it using lukewarm water. Facial cleansers remove dead skin cells, bacteria, makeup, dirt, and oils. The skin around your delicate eyes and nose is particularly sensitive. Dry face cleansing lotions are often recommended when needed. Keep in mind that these products can dry out your skin and may cause irritation. Always follow instructions on product labels and always remember not to pour shampoo on your face. Be careful when choosing toner. Using lotion near your eyes, lips, and noses may strip and irritate your eyes or cause pain in your eyes. Ointments apply directly to your skin rather than reaching your underlying tissue. Choose mild toners when needed and never apply hot solutions, like salicylic acid. Washing your face can leave it feeling tight and irritated. Wash your face only once or twice a week with cool, lukewarm water (never hot), and avoid scrubbing excessively. Avoid frequent washing your hair daily. Do not pull out your own hair. It stimulates the production of natural oils known as keratin, which can cause rashes or allergies to your hair roots. You also need to wear hats and gloves. Don’t forget the head of your bikini top or swimsuit covers your nipple area, which can make acne worse. Never force your nipples out. Let them fall naturally, leaving them alone to breathe. Use an anti-mild exfoliant to rinse off any remaining dirt and sweat with. Follow the directions on the label. Gentle exfoliating tools like scrubs, wipes, toothbrushes, and toothpaste trays can irritate your skin and can expose your skin to harmful bacteria. Also, not using antibacterial soap (which contains quaternary ammonium compounds) in your bath tub can make acne worse.
