The Treatment Of Acne
More than inhibiting opportunistic microorganisms, it is necessary to protect the good microbes to keep the skin’s microbiome balanced. Understand how modern formulas work.
Acne is an inflammation that occurs when the pores of the hair follicles become clogged with sebum and dead cells. It can manifest itself in various ways – from blackheads and whiteheads to larger cysts that cause pain.
In addition to manifesting itself in different ways, acne has different degrees, depending on the severity of the inflammation.The treatment of acne, as with so many other medical disorders, has circled back on itself over the last few decades. Years ago, acne treatment depended upon “physical modalities,” such as scrubbing with harsh soaps, ultraviolet light, low dose X-ray sessions, and dietary changes. Prescription medicines, both topical and internal, revolutionized acne therapy with great success, culminating with Accutane in the 80’s, which is still by far the most effective medical agent for moderate to severe or stubborn acne.
Acne
Grade 1 acne is called comedo or blackhead. Do you know those apparent black dots? They are open blackheads. When the beads are white, the blackheads are closed.
Grade 2 acne is a pimple. At this stage, the comedy has evolved and formed an inflamed, reddened wound, usually containing pus.
In these two grades, acne can be treated with cosmetic formulas.
When acne is Grade 3 (nodular and cystic lesions) or Grade 4 (abscesses and fistulas), medication is necessary, and, here, the follow-up of a dermatologist is essential. He will prescribe medicine and closely monitor the treatment, often ordering blood tests.
How acne forms
Despite having different degrees, all acne starts in the same way: with sebaceous hypersecretion.
When the sebaceous glands produce too much fat, the excess sebum dilates the hair follicles’ pores. This excess sebum stays there, is deposited, and accumulates. But it is not alone because, in the pores, we also have dead cells, which have protein. It is this mixture of fat and protein that attracts opportunistic microorganisms. Among them is Propionibacterium acnes, which contributes to the emergence of acne.
As opportunistic microorganisms arrive for the fat and protein feast (and increase!), our defence cells sound the alarm to warn that we have unwanted visitors.
To protect us, the stratum corneum (the outer layer of the skin) starts to act, trying to prevent more opportunistic microorganisms from arriving for dinner. How does it do it? Creating a kind of capsule that closes everyone inside: the rancid fat, the protein, and the evil bugs that have already managed to settle in.
If we don’t do a senior regulatory action, sebaceous hypersecretion continues. Harmful microorganisms penetrate more and more into the inner layers of the skin, and our sentinels, the mast cells, begin to trigger cascades of anti-inflammatory substances. Then the situation can get worse.
How do anti-acne products work?
Well, you may have already realised that regulating sebum production is key to preventing acne. After all, if the sebaceous gland does not manufacture too much fat, the pores are not clogged by the mixture that attracts opportunistic microorganisms (the feast of sebum + protein).
But anti-acne products go beyond seborregulation: they contain substances that create an inhospitable environment for the bacteria and fungi that cause acne. One of these substances is salicylic acid, widely used in traditional formulations.
However, the most modern cosmetic formulas act much brighter. In addition to regulating sebum production and inhibiting opportunistic microorganisms, they protect microorganisms from the good – our favourable microbiome.
This is one of the great revolutions that is shaking up the beauty industry and defining who is at the forefront of cosmetics and falling behind.
Also, Read : How To Eat Your Way To Healthy & Glowing Skin
Fun Fact
What Causes acne?
when the pores of your skin become blocked with oil, dead skin, or bacteria. Each pore of your skin opens to a follicle. The follicle is made up of a hair and a sebaceous (oil) gland. The oil gland releases sebum (oil), which travels up the hair, out of the pore, and onto your skin.
