Can acne be cured? What drugs provoke inflammation? Why does the skin look better at sea? Dermatologist and cosmetologist Viktoria Filimonova reports.
Acne is a chronic inflammatory disease of the sebaceous glands, in which their activity increases, hyperkeratosis increases (the epidermis thickens), the composition of sebum changes, propionobacteria join and, as a result, inflammation develops. There are a lot of myths around acne, let's dispel some of them.
Can I squeeze acne on my own?
You can't! You do not know how to do this correctly, and you touch your face with dirty hands. So you can bring the infection and make the inflammation even deeper, and as a result, you get an atrophic scar (scar).
Is Topical Therapy Enough to Treat Acne?
Not enough! An integrated approach is needed to treat skin diseases. Especially if you have severe acne. From the normalization of the gastrointestinal tract and hormonal levels to the correct diet and external therapy. Only by finding the cause of the disease (and there can be a lot of them), it is possible to improve the condition of the skin.
Does acne go away before the age of 18?
Partially true. In most cases of adolescent acne is associated with hormonal imbalance and usually resolves on its own by the age of 18-20. If, after 20 years, acne begins or persists, we look for internal causes and normalize the care, since the skin can deteriorate from improper home care.
Does nutrition affect skin condition and make acne worse?
Truth! Abuse of sweets, dairy products and fast food disrupts metabolism and increases the production of androgens (male sex hormones) - this intensifies the inflammatory process. Also, the course of the disease is always influenced by those foods that are poorly absorbed or not tolerated by the body.
Can color cosmetics cause acne?
Truth! Even the largest brands have comedogenic ingredients in their products. If you have problem skin, look for the “non-comedogenic” label on the package. Or pay attention to mineral powders.
Does tanning improve acne?
Not true! When you arrive at the sea and are just starting to sunbathe, the illusion of clean, fresh skin can be created. But as soon as you get home, the acne will worsen. This is due to the fact that in the sun the local immunity decreases and the hyperplasia of the sebaceous glands increases (the epidermis thickens). Sebum has accumulated, and it is difficult for him to "get out" - and this is how an exacerbation begins.
Can scrubs be used for acne?
You can't! Scrubs can worsen the condition of the skin, provoke the appearance of new inflammations and "spread" them due to microtraumas from the granules in the composition. If you have acne, it is better to exclude scrubs from the treatment.
Does sunscreen clog your pores?
Truth! Chemical filters are often comedogenic. Look for physical / mineral filters (titanium dioxide, zinc oxide) on the packaging.
Can acne be cured by cleaning and chemical peels?
You can't! Cleansing and peeling can improve the condition of the skin, but they cannot cure acne, since a set of measures is needed.
Can problem skin be cured by drying it with alcohol?
You can't! The more you dry your skin, the more sebum appears. There must be a balance in the care: proper cleansing, sebum regulation, sometimes antibacterial therapy, restoration and protection.
Can acne be cured?
You can't! Today, only inflammation control can be achieved. The skin will improve, but the result is important to maintain.
Interview and text: Olga Kulygina
