The Acne bacteria - now known as Cutibacterium Acnes - live on everyone’s skin
What causes acne?
Our sebaceous (oil producing) glands are affected by our hormones. In people who have Acne, the glands are particularly sensitive even to the normal blood levels of these hormones. This causes the glands to produce too much oil and grease, and at the same time the lining of the pores (the small holes in the skin surface) become thickened and the dead cells are not shed properly.
A mixture of the sebum and dead cells build up which plugs the pores, producing blackheads and whiteheads. The plug of dead skin cells turns black from exposure to air - not due to dirt.
Acne can be inflamed with spots and pustules or just blackheads and blocked pores.
Type of acne
Usually causing no problems, for those with Acne the build-up of oil is an ideal environment for the bacteria to multiply. This is accompanied by inflammation which leads to the formation of red, swollen or pus-filled spots.
Blackheads - open Comedones (no inflammation)
Whiteheads - overstimulation of the sebaceous glands (no inflammation)
Pustules and Nodules - proliferation of Cutibacterium Acnes (formerly Propionibacterium Acnes)
Nodules and Severe, Deep Inflammation - risk of permanent scars
Stages of acne
Severe Acne is often wide-spread and can affect the face and neck or chest or back.
We often don’t relate non-inflammatory acne with ‘Acne’, dismissing the subtler signs of it as temporary breakouts which go away on their own. However, this can progress as a chronic inflammation of the pilosebacous uniti which leads to more problematic Acne and even scarring.
STAGE 1
Oily skin
Clogged pores
Slight Acne
STAGE 2
Oily skin
Clogged pores
Lots of Acne
STAGE 3
Oily and inflamed skin
Clogged pores
Acne, papules and pustules
STAGE 4
Oily and very inflamed skin
Clogged pores, severe Acne
Many papules and pustules
Each progressive stage of Acne manifests a variety of different problems, it can be painful and uncomfortable and may lead to scarring. All of the stages require some intervention to prevent the progression of the condition.
For years now, dermatologists have also used another less known but very effective
treatment: Blue Light Therapy.
Find out how Blue Light Technology can help.
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