Sebaceous Glands; The Real Cuprit
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Acne is a general term for the skin disorder which manifests
on most teenagers and some people in their middle ages. It is
characterized by mild inflammations which come from bumps on
the skin.
Typically, there are three categories of acne: blackheads
and whiteheads, mild inflammatory and severe cystic nodular
acne.
Several methods of treatment are available for these. Keep
in mind, there is still no absolute cure for acne, but there
are treatments and medications which can relieve the patient
from the pain, psychological effects and scars which are acne-associated.
These treatments include procedures and therapies which may
inhibit the use of topical drugs or those that are applied directly
on the infected area of the skin or the surrounding tissues
around it. On the other hand, doctors may prescribe oral or
systematic medications. Some of which are antibiotics, tetracycline
and its derivatives such as Minocycline and Doxycycline. Moreover,
for the more severe cases the combination of topical and oral
treatment may be applied alongside physical treatments in the
form of acne removal through laser.
But above all these, what really causes ace?
Contrary to popular belief, acne is neither caused by dirt,
or consumption of oily products such as chocolates, or those
which contain caffeine. Also, it is not the resultant of improper
hygiene or poor diet. Though all these have some level of effects
on the actual causes of acne production, these are not determinants
of acquiring such.
Fundamentally, acne is caused by the over-induced sebaceous
glands. Based on the encyclopedia, sebaceous glands are glands
found only in the skin of mammals which is responsible is secreting
an oily substance called sebum. Sebum, on the other hand acts
as a lubricant to keep the skin from excessive dryness and to
keep it from producing irritating patches
In humans, sebaceous are principally found in association
with the hair follicles but may also occur in areas of the skin
where hair is absent except for the tissues of the skin on the
palms and at the bottom of the feet where pilosebaceous units
are absent.
Sebum, on the other hand, is a combination of dead fat-producing
cells and skin debris. These are continuously replenished by
the new growth of cells at the base of the glands. In general,
the sebum is deposited into the hair follicles which then are
brought up to the skin surface via the hair shafts. In hairless
sections of the skin however, sebum is excreted through pores
and ducts.
Sebums, combined with many forms of natural oils, create
a hydro-lipid system which acts as a barrier. It acts as a protection
from the harmful substances that inflict the skin while keeping
the skin hydrated. For dry skin, this barrier is no longer working
efficiently so the skin experiences extreme moisture lost.
The prevalence of dry skin during old age is due to the condition
that the production of natural oils is decreased in quantity.
Young children and infants do experience extensively dry skin
because their sebaceous glands are not yet fully developed.
The dryness of the skin may also be due to genetically or
inherited factors. Also, these may be attributed to several
contributing factors such as humidity or heat, poor ventilation,
use of chemicals, soaps, detergents, solvents and excessive
contact with water.
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