Skip to main content

Tag: acne

If You Have Acne, Be Careful In The Sun!

Ever heard of the rebound effect? It is also called boomerang effect. It describes a counter-reaction of what you actually expected. This is exactly what happens when UV rays hit acne. Although there is an initial improvement, the skin’s appearance soon worsens again. Teenagers with acne on their faces are often sent out into the sun by their mothers to dry up the pimples and pustules. In a way, this is true, because UV rays actually have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects. They switch off, so to speak, the micro-organisms that are involved in the development of pimples and blackheads. Therefore, the skin condition actually improves – for now. However, the success is only temporary. However, many sufferers are deceived by this and abandon their usual anti-acne care. The disappointment comes with the end of summer when the acne is back and often even worse – it really “blooms”. This is called the rebound effect. This phenomenon is also known in pharmacology, when an abrupt discontinuation of a drug is followed by an exaggerated counter-reaction. “However, with too much UV radiation from the sun, there is a rebound effect, especially in autumn. Therefore, it is important to always apply a very high level of sun protection,” confirms Judith Horzel, pharmacist and senior medical manager at the French Beauty Brand Pierre Fabre. The best success is achieved with a dermatological problem-solving brand. In the case of acne, sun protection products should not only contain an effective UVA-UVB broadband filter, but also substances that eliminate skin impurities and ensure that they do not reappear. Myrtacin and Celastrol, as used by the brand “Ducray”, are such active substances. They have an anti-inflammatory effect and prevent the formation of the biofilm by Propionibacterium acnes, which is partly responsible for acne. What happens when UV light hits acne skin? As already described, the skin’s appearance improves in the short term, as the sun dries out the pimples. But the skin tries to protect itself from the rays and heat of sunlight by thickening and trapping the sebum produced and bacteria in the skin. While this temporarily makes the skin look nicer, it also clogs pores. If you then use an inappropriate sunscreen and even the wrong factor, the thickening of the skin layer is additionally promoted. The sweat factor should not be underestimated either: sweating is basically good because it opens the pores and flushes dirt to the outside.… weiterlesen

Body Acne – Typical In Winter!

Especially in winter, acne on the body is in high season. It really blossoms. The blemishes appear especially on the décolleté, upper arms, back and buttocks. But they are far more than just a visual problem. On the body, the pimples really hurt when clothing rubs against them. Why do we always talk about “blossom” and “bloom” in connection with acne, although the appearance has nothing at all to do with the beauty of a flower? Experts still argue about the etymology of the term acne. It could be derived from the Greek word “akmé”. On the one hand it means “point, sharpness, cutting edge”, on the other hand it also means “blossom, maturity, climax”. In any case, it refers to a skin rash that is based on excessive sebum production and a cornification disorder. Causes for acne on the body “The causes of acne on the body are similar to those of facial acne,” explains Andrew Alexis, M.D., Master of Sciences Public Health at Weill Cornell College in New York. These include inflammatory processes in the skin, increased oil production, sebum and dead skin cells clogging hair follicles. However, the main culprit is a specific acne bacterium called Cutibacterium. Body acne is mainly triggered by sweat and oil. Tight-fitting clothing exacerbates the problem, which is why many athletes and sportsmen suffer from it. In men, shoulders, back, chest and buttocks are also mostly affected by the festering pustules. In women, body acne often occurs during hormonal changes, such as pregnancy or menopause, because the sebaceous glands then work more actively. Why body acne, also known as truncal acne, predominantly appears in the described zones is due to the sebaceous glands, which are larger in these areas. Autumn and winter are particularly predestined for body acne, because then several external factors are added: As outdoor temperatures drop, we heat up more and wear sweaters, scarves and warm jackets. This makes the skin drier and more sensitive. It literally gets no more air, and pimples sprout. Therefore, especially in the acne-prone areas, do not wear tight-fitting clothing and avoid fabrics that rub. The skin must be able to breathe. Stress makes body acne worse Diet can affect acne on the body, but it does not have to. Nevertheless clinical studies have shown that avoiding dairy products and foods with a high glycemic index (white flour, sugar, corn, potatoes) can reduce blemishes.Dr. Whitney Bowe, New York dermatologist and author of the book “The Beauty of Dirty Skin,” sees a close connection between the gut, brain and skin.… weiterlesen