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The occasional spot
or zit is different to acne. Generally, if you persistently
experience five or more spots in or around the same location at
the same time, then you are deemed to have the condition known
as acne. However, if you are only experiencing the
occasional spot or zit, although this can be very annoying, this
is really nothing to worry about. Everybody gets the occasional
spot or zit, and it always seems to happen just as we get that
hot date or important interview. However, all is not lost as
there are a great range of products available to us today which
effectively prevent and treat spots and zits.
Zits are most commonly caused by normal hormonal fluctuations in
your body, and are not only found on the face; some other common
areas are the back, scalp and neck. You do not get zits because
you eat greasy food or too many sweets, and you do not get zits
because of poor hygiene alone. |
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What are blackheads and whiteheads?
Blackheads and whiteheads, known as comedones, can be more numerous
on the face and shoulders than red bumps filled with pus. Good
consistent skin hygiene can help improve this condition. Therefore,
knowing more about what causes comedones and how to treat them is a
step towards clearer skin.
The
oily substance produced by the sebaceous gland combines with cells
being sloughed off within the hair follicle and "fills up" the hair
follicle. When the follicle is "full", the sebum spreads over the
skin surface giving the skin an oily appearance. When this process
works correctly, the skin is moisturised and remains healthy.
Problems arise when the sebum is trapped in the hair follicle. For
reasons that are still unclear, some hair follicles become
obstructed. The sebum is produced but gets trapped on the way out.
A certain bacteria called Propionibacterium acnes multiplies in
this trapped sebum and causes a tiny infection. This leads to
inflammatory acne, or red bumps and pustules. In some follicles
the bacteria does not cause an infection, but rather changes the
lining of the hair follicle and forms plugs called comedones.
Blackheads
Blackheads, also known as open comedones, are follicles that have a
wider than normal opening. They are filled with plugs of sebum and
sloughed off cells and have undergone a chemical reaction resulting
in the oxidation of melanin. This gives the material in the follicle
the typical black colour.
Whiteheads
Whiteheads, also known as closed comedones, are follicles that are
filled with the same material, but have only a microscopic opening
to the skin surface. Since the air cannot reach the follicle, the
material is not oxidised, and remains white.
We
don't recommend that you squeeze or pop a zit. Popping or picking a
zit often makes things worse and can cause even more to sprout up or
could even leave a scar.
For information about spot & zit treatments,
click here
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