Derma Topics…Scarring From Teen-age Acne

A close friend of mine told me that as a teen in high school,she developed a very bad case of acne.  Apparently it was quite serious and was undoubtedly largely due to her genetic make-up.  At any rate,she was very self-conscious about it and related that she would spend considerable time each morning,before going to school,squeezing the little pustules that had formed over night.  As a result,when she reached adulthood her face was quite deeply pitted and scarred from all the abuse it had received.

When a facial sebaceous follicle becomes closed with a hard plug of dead skin cells,oil,fatty acids and bacteria,the increasing accumulation of debris may cause the follicle to expand and may progress into a papule,pustule,or cyst.

The follicle will continue to expand until it looks like a little bulging round ball.  It can stretch only so far,and finally stress,menstrual cycles,lack of sleep,or other factors can provide the trigger to cause the follicle to rupture.  This process can involve one or several follicles.  That is one reason why acne can be frustratingly inconsistent by appearing to be less active and suddenly flaring up in intensity when one least expects it.

When the follicle ruptures,the contents are released into the surrounding tissue.  If the rupture occurs near the top of the follicle near the skin surface,papules or red bumps might appear which usually form pustules in 24 to 36 hours.  They will usually disappear fairly rapidly.  If the rupture occurs in the middle of the follicle,the inflammation is deeper,resulting in a larger lesion often referred to as a nodule.  A nodule can be very sore and can take much longer to heal.

The most severe eruption is a cyst,which occurs when the follicle ruptures near its lowest point.  Cysts can be very large and painful,and because the inflammation can take place in the dermis,collagen and elastin may be destroyed,resulting in pitted scars,especially if one aggravates the cyst by squeezing.

Acne can be present at any time and any age and can persist throughout one’s life.  Whether it is caused by heredity,hormones,cosmetics,or stress,the process is the same.  While there is no cure for acne,it can be controlled with daily use of a 10% glycolic acid preparation,and with patience and persistence,clearing can be achieved and maintained.

By the way,my friend has been using a 10% glycolic acid product daily for the past several years and the pitted scarring in her face has virtually disappeared.

K L. Perrinsasis a Registered Pharmacist with over 40 years experience and creator of Desert Bloom products. Visit www.desert-bloom.net