Dr Lalitha Badul
Is bad skin making you feel self-conscious and uncomfortable in the company of others?
Most young people go through a phase of bad, spotty skin during their teen years but there is something that can be done it.
ALSO READ: Doctor’s advice: Reactive and sensitive skin
What causes problem skin during the teen years? At puberty, the body produces the hormones Testosterone and Dehydrotestosterone.
Increased hormonal activity encourages the sebaceous glands (the oil glands of the skin) to increase the production of sebum. Sebum is an oily-like substance that is used to keep the hair and skin lubricated.
Infection occurs around the hair follicle because excess sebum and dead cell material accumulate to form a plug which blocks the follicle preventing the release of sebum.
READ THIS: Doctor’s advice: How to take care of oily skin
The infection that results from the mixture of dead cell debris and sebum forms pus which starts to bulge near the surface of the skin to form a pus-filled pimple.
Blockages that occur sometimes leave the plug openly exposed to the air on the surface of the skin. This causes the plug to turn dark brown or black as a result of oxidation. This is called a blackhead.
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