Acne

What causes acne?
The main cause of acne are the hormones that we produce from puberty. They stimulate the sebaceous glands in our skin causing increased production of oil and changing the cells in the duct leading out to the skin. The cells in the duct stick together forming a plug that blocks the duct, the gland then blows up like a balloon. The pimples created are infected. Antibiotics help; squeezing can cause scarring.

What are blackheads-black comedones?
Plugs forming near the entrance of the duct contain melanin, are black in colour, dilate the entrance (look large) and have small tunnels inside them allowing oil to escape on to the skin. This relieves the pressure and they do not blow up like a balloon.

What are whiteheads-white comedones?
Plugs forming deeper in the duct are white and not porous. No oil can escape. These are virtual time bombs waiting to explode into pimples. The key to treating acne is to remove the plugs.

Does skin cleansing and exfoliation help?
Skin cleansing has no effect on the plugs. Scrubbing the skin can not get deep enough to reach the plug. Oil on the skin surface has no effect on the course of acne. Exfoliation cannot reach down into the plugs.

What is the best therapy for acne?
Microdermabrasion, peeling and laser can remove the plugs but prime therapy consists of applying keratolytic creams and lotions that will penetrate the duct and loosen the plugs. Antibiotics are used only to settle the inflammation caused by infection.

Can acne scarring be treated?
Acne can leave scars and pigmentation. Pigmentation responds well to peeling. Scarring responds well to microdermabrasion but does best with laser resurfacing. Two treatments, three months apart are usually required.