Sebaceous Glands and Acne
The sebaceous
glands refer to the glands responsible for secreting
an oily substance called sebum, made of lipids and
the debris of dead fat-producing cells.
These glands
are found throughout the human skin, except in the
palms of the hands and soles of the feet.
Sebum is
important in providing the waxy coating keeping hair
and skin from becoming dry, brittle, and cracked.
Such secretion
also inhibits the growth of microorganisms on skin.
This
substance is known to be odorless, lest bacterial
breakdown produce odors.
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In humans, the composition of sebum is apportioned
into 25% wax monoesters, 41% triglycerides, 16% free fatty
acids, and 12% squalene.
Deposited on the hairs inside the follicles,
the sebum is transported and is brought up to the surface
of the skin along the hair shaft.
In the case of hairless portions of the body,
the sebum surfaces through ducts. Sebum may accumulate
excessively, consequent of poor hygiene or a diet rich
in fats. Normally, adolescence marks a period of accelerated
glandular activity. The increase in androgen levels during
puberty is accountable for the significant activity of
the sebaceous glands.
Excessive secretions have been associated with certain forms of baldness, keratosis pilaris and above all, acne vulgaris.
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Acne vulgaris or acne
occurs when secretion of oils from the glands comes
to an excessive point where it combines with naturally
occurring dead skin cells to block the hair follicles.
When the oil secretions become trapped
beneath the congested pore, the skin bacteria Propionibacterium
is bred to wanton abandon.
The body's immune system
fights back, inflaming the skin with a visible lesion
curable by acne treatment products.
Typically standing
to be affected are the face, chest, back, shoulders
and upper arms. |
Acne skin treatment is available in so many different forms nowadays as much as there are different acne lesions. Acne lesions are typically labeled as comedones, papules, pustules, nodules or inflammatory cysts.
Many times, they are most likely to leave prominent,
unsightly scars in their wake. Still there are many kinds
of accessible acne scars treatment saturating consumers
as of now, with variable effects.
Homemade acne treatments can also be concocted if one may.
Acne removal treatment such as the prescription drug isotretinoin significantly reduces the amount of sebum produced by the sebaceous glands.
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