Never squeeze a pimple
Mar 29, 2005
YOU may have gone through the emotional agony, (or know someone who did) when at puberty the face broke out into pimples. It is disturbing because at that stage, our looks begin to mean so much to us.
By Paul Semugoma
YOU may have gone through the emotional agony, (or know someone who did) when at puberty the face broke out into pimples. It is disturbing because at that stage, our looks begin to mean so much to us.
What happens...
Every hair on the skin is planted in a hair-pit, from which it grows. Close to the surface of this pit are openings for the sebum oil glands. This oil flows onto the skin surface, preventing excessive drying.
In acne or pimples, the hair pit gets blocked by a mixture of skin oil, dead skin cells and bacteria. As the block becomes bigger, we see it as a small white plug called a ‘white comedone’.
It turns black on exposure to air, forming the ‘black comedone’. This is acne.
Sometimes the plug becomes so big that it breaks into the skin nearby. It’s very irritating, causing an inflammatory reaction, involving more skin. The pimple becomes bigger, more red, and more painful. Pus may form in it and it heals with the formation of a scar.
Who and where?
Human skin has hair pits, but the oil glands are concentrated on the face, chest and back. This is where acne occurs.
It can come at any age, but is most common, (and distressing) in late teens and young adults.
Acne is related to puberty because the production of androgen is increased. These are male hormones, but are also present in women.
They cause a burst in production of skin oil, which leads to acne. Bacteria that dwell on the skin have also been implicated.
Some acne runs in families and may be worse during pregnancy, when on contraceptive pills, when stressed or with the scrubbing of the face.
It has not been proved that chocolate, fatty foods or dirty skin cause acne.
What to do?
Most people have had, or will only have, a few pimples. They find it a temporary inconvenience.
Bigger, more painful and persistent lesions may require medical attention.
Wash the face twice a day, with mild soap and water. Do not scrub it. Shave carefully.
Do not touch, tease, or squeeze a pimple. This makes it bigger and leaves a scar.
Many cosmetics can make acne worse.
Check the product information for the magic word ‘non-comedogenic’. That is the right stuff for you.
Pharmacies stock many over-the-counter medications for acne. These can help.
If the problem persists, consult your doctor. He can prescribe antibiotics and stronger creams or pills. One has to take them for a few weeks to have their full effect.
The main goal is to prevent scars. They are permanent, whereas most acne lasts only a few years. It is important to remember this when a pimple appears on your face. Just do not squeeze it!
The writer is a medical doctor
YOU may have gone through the emotional agony, (or know someone who did) when at puberty the face broke out into pimples. It is disturbing because at that stage, our looks begin to mean so much to us.
What happens...
Every hair on the skin is planted in a hair-pit, from which it grows. Close to the surface of this pit are openings for the sebum oil glands. This oil flows onto the skin surface, preventing excessive drying.
In acne or pimples, the hair pit gets blocked by a mixture of skin oil, dead skin cells and bacteria. As the block becomes bigger, we see it as a small white plug called a ‘white comedone’.
It turns black on exposure to air, forming the ‘black comedone’. This is acne.
Sometimes the plug becomes so big that it breaks into the skin nearby. It’s very irritating, causing an inflammatory reaction, involving more skin. The pimple becomes bigger, more red, and more painful. Pus may form in it and it heals with the formation of a scar.
Who and where?
Human skin has hair pits, but the oil glands are concentrated on the face, chest and back. This is where acne occurs.
It can come at any age, but is most common, (and distressing) in late teens and young adults.
Acne is related to puberty because the production of androgen is increased. These are male hormones, but are also present in women.
They cause a burst in production of skin oil, which leads to acne. Bacteria that dwell on the skin have also been implicated.
Some acne runs in families and may be worse during pregnancy, when on contraceptive pills, when stressed or with the scrubbing of the face.
It has not been proved that chocolate, fatty foods or dirty skin cause acne.
What to do?
Most people have had, or will only have, a few pimples. They find it a temporary inconvenience.
Bigger, more painful and persistent lesions may require medical attention.
Check the product information for the magic word ‘non-comedogenic’. That is the right stuff for you.
Pharmacies stock many over-the-counter medications for acne. These can help.
If the problem persists, consult your doctor. He can prescribe antibiotics and stronger creams or pills. One has to take them for a few weeks to have their full effect.
The main goal is to prevent scars. They are permanent, whereas most acne lasts only a few years. It is important to remember this when a pimple appears on your face. Just do not squeeze it!