Know more about Acne

Medically known as a disease of features known as pilosebaceous units (PSUs), acne is the most common skin disorder occurring during the second and third decades of life. It is an inflammatory skin condition brought on by overactive sebaceous glands (oil glands).


What causes acne?

Sex hormones: Dermatologists (skin specialists) believe that acne is partly the result of the action of hormones on the skin’s oil glands and the hair follicles. Increases in sex hormones called androgens that occur in both boys and girls during puberty. Androgens cause sebaceous glands to enlarge and make more sebum in hair follicles. It has been also believed that changes in hormone levels in adolescent girls and adult women 2 to 7 days before their menstrual period starts can aggravate acne.

Pregnancy: Hormonal changes related to pregnancy or to starting or stopping use of birth control pills
Family history: Sometimes, acne occurs because of genetics i.e. when you are prone to it because of heredity
Bacteria: Often bacteria called Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) can be present also, which can contribute to the redness, swelling and pus that can accompany lesions.

Drugs: Some medicines (e.g., some birth control pills, cortisone, dilantin)

Who is at risk of acne?

5 Tips For Healthy Skin

It is never too late to start taking care of your skin whether you are young or old, your complexion will always reap the benefits! You may not always have the time to stick to a rigid intensive skin care regime but with these tips you can not only have healthier skin but maintain younger looking skin for longer!

- Avoid too much sun exposure
Nothing will age you faster than the sun’s harmful rays. Not only can it cause skin cancers but it can cause premature ageing, wrinkles before your time, freckles, dry skin and age spots. You should always cover up your face as much as you can when out in full sun for any length of time and try to avoid the sun between 10am and 4pm; the sun’s rays are at their most intense between these times. Wear a hat and sensible clothing that covers you as well as keeps you cool. And don’t skimp on the sunscreen! Use generous amounts of sunscreen half an hour before sun exposure and re-apply every two hours, more often if you’ve been swimming or have sweated profusely.

5 Key Functions of Your Skin

Your skin is your body’s largest organ and it plays a vital role in maintaining your health and wellness. It’s wonderfully resilient and can survive a great deal of punishment. The skin is the body’s boundary layer, tough enough to resist all sorts of environmental assaults, yet sensitive enough to feel the slightest touch. The skin creates the first line of defense against possible invasion of bacteria and germs, while maintaining the body’s internal environment within a few degrees of normal throughout our lifetime. It also gives you ability to “sense” things. Following are the top 5 tasks or functions that your skin performs for your body and health: