Why do I have ACNE & what can I do about it?? (Part 1 of Acne series)
Channel: Dr Kay Explains
Date: 2019-07-21

Today's video will be focusing on what acne is and what causes it. It's helpful to understand from the beginning the basics of acne. My other videos then also talks about treatment and skincare options.

Acne Part 2: https://youtu.be/U0EiA195TmI
Acne Part 3:  https://youtu.be/ksMO6ND_V0g
Should you use ROACCUTANE? https://youtu.be/uX5uigRHeDo

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Dr Kay
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Disclaimer: This video is not intended to provide any diagnosis, treatment or medical advice. Content provided on this Youtube channel is for informational purposes only. Please consult with a physician or other healthcare professional regarding any medical or health related diagnosis or treatment options. Information on this Youtube channel should not be considered as a substitute for advice from a healthcare professional. The statements made about specific products throughout this video are not to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.
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Acne also called 'zits', 'spots' or 'pimples' is very common particularly in teenagers and young adults − about eight in 10 people have them at some point. Its not just a teenage thing though and some unlucky people can have adult acne up to the age of 40! It can vary from mild a few spots here and there, to severe acne and scarring.
 
Acne most commonly develops on the:
face – this affects almost everyone with acne
back – this affects more than half of people with acne
chest – this affects about 15% of people with acne

Types of spots
There are 6 main types of spot caused by acne:
*blackheads – small black or yellowish bumps that develop on the skin; they're not filled with dirt, but are black because the inner lining of the hair follicle produces pigmentation (colouring)
*whiteheads – have a similar appearance to blackheads, but may be firmer and won't empty when squeezed
*papules – small red bumps that may feel tender or sore
pustules – similar to papules, but have a white tip in the centre, caused by a build-up of pus
*nodules – large hard lumps that build up beneath the surface of the skin and can be painful
*cysts – the most severe type of spot caused by acne; they're large pus-filled lumps that look similar to boils and carry the greatest risk of causing permanent scarring

Why do I have acne?
If you take a closer look at your skin on your face, you will see that you have tiny little hairs, which is perfectly normal. These hairs come out of tiny holes in the skin called hair follicles. 
Sebaceous glands are tiny glands found near the surface of your skin. The glands are attached to the hair follicles and produce an oil referred to as sebum) which keeps the skin supple. 
In acne, the glands begin to produce too much sebum or oil. The excess oil builds up in the hair follicle. The excess sebum mixes with dead skin cells and both substances form a plug and blockage in the follicle. This is what causes the whiteheads or blackheads you see on the skin. You can then have a worse situation when the usually harmless bacteria that live on the skin contaminate and infect the plugged follicles, causing inflammation in your which then shows on the outside as a red, hot and fresh pimple. lf not treated properly it can lead to scarring and aftereffects.

Why is acne so common during teenage years?
During puberty there is a lot of changes going on, and an increase in the hormone called testosterone. The sebaceous glands we talked about are particularly sensitive to these hormones. The increased levels of testosterone cause the glands to produce much more sebum than the skin needs. This may also explain why acne is more common in boys than girls.

Changes in hormone levels during certain times of the month, such as those that occur during the menstrual cycle or pregnancy, can also lead to episodes of acne in women.

Other possible causes for acne
Acne is known to run in families. If both your mother and father had acne, it's likely that you'll also have acne.

There's no evidence that diet, poor hygiene or sexual activity play a role in acne.


We now know that acne is the result of :
a) A blocked pore or hair follicle often due to dead skin cells or build up of oil
b) Infection at the bottom of the blockage.

Therefore this means that for any acne treatment to work, it needs to :
a) Unblock the pores or hair follicles on your skin; and
b) Kill any infection inside. 

So now that you know the main reasons for your acne, it’s easier for you to treat it. I'll cover more about treatments of acne in my next video.