EFFECTIVE TREATMENTS FOR MALE ACNE AND OILY SKIN
Acne and oily skin is frustrating - and red, painful skin with filled with pus, blackheads and pimples can be even more so. Many teenage boys, and even men, suffer from acne, and subsequently acne scars. We discuss the causes of acne and how to effectively treat it to prevent acne scars and future outbreaks.
What causes acne?
1. Overactive Sebaceous (Oil) Glands
Sebaceous glands are tiny glands on our skin that create sebum, or oil to moisturise the skin naturally. This keeps the skin hydrated and protected from external aggressors. During puberty, the male hormone, testosterones increase sebum production - leading to increased oiliness. This excess oil remains in the pore, blocking the sebaceous duct anehnd creating a blockage within the follicle - this leads to a blackhead, and subsequently a pus-filled papule if not treated properly.
Interestingly, research has also found that people prone to acne tend to have sebum with higher levels of squalene and wax esters - this creates a more favourable environment for acne-causing bacteria.
Pro-tip: wash your face frequently with a cleanser that does not dry your skin out. Ironically, many acne cleansers are too harsh on the skin: drying the skin out and stripping it of all oils, causing the skin to panic and produce even more oil to counter the lack thereof. Choosing the right cleanser is big step in the right direction to treating your acne.
2. Bacteria
Propionibacteria acnes (P. acnes) are bacteria routinely found on most skin. When a pore is clogged by dead skin cells and sebum, an anaerobic environment is created: oxygen cannot get into the pore. P.acnes thrives in this environment - leading to increased P.acnes. This means that your acne becomes red, inflamed, enlarged and painful to the touch.
Pro-tip: do not try to squeeze the pimple out, no matter how tempting it seems. Your fingers and fingernails are full of bacteria that can and will worsen the acne - and even cause scarring as you damage the tissues on your skin.
2. Bacteria
Propionibacteria acnes (P. acnes) are bacteria routinely found on most skin. When a pore is clogged by dead skin cells and sebum, an anaerobic environment is created: oxygen cannot get into the pore. P.acnes thrives in this environment - leading to increased P.acnes. This means that your acne becomes red, inflamed, enlarged and painful to the touch.
Pro-tip: do not try to squeeze the pimple out, no matter how tempting it seems. Your fingers and fingernails are full of bacteria that can and will worsen the acne - and even cause scarring as you damage the tissues on your skin.
3. Shaving
As if shaving was not enough of a hassle, acne can make it even more difficult and painful.
Take extra care when shaving - do not shave the tops of pimples of and try to avoid acne when shaving. If your blade razor is irritating your skin, try an electric to see if that helps. Sometimes what you think is acne is actually ingrown hairs, folliculitis - an inflammation of the hair follicle. Guys with curly hair in the bear area are more prone to folliculitis because the hair tends to curl under the skin.
In addition, shaving actually can cause sensitised, red and itchy skin because it removes the uppermost layers of skin cells - revealing immature cells that may not be ready. This can cause irritation from exposure to irritants, pollution, dirt and more.
Pro-tip: always seek professional help if shaving seems to be causing red, itchy skin or even more acne. Hair follicles are the root (no pun intended) of all acne, and this worsens acne for guys because they tend to have more hair and increased sebum production.
