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Understanding Acne:
Testosterone (an androgen hormone) targets the
skin and the sebaceous glands where sebum is
produced. It combines with the enzyme
5alpha-reductase to produce dihydrotestosterone,
which stimulates the sebaceous glands to produce
increased volumes of sebum. Sebum is expelled
out into the follicular tube.
Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) and other
bacteria on the skin and within the follicles
produce bacterial lipases (enzymes) that move
into the follicle opening and convert sebum into
free fatty acids, which irritate the follicle
lining. This irritation causes excessive
production of cells and cellular debris, which
block the follicle and trap P. acnes inside. The
P. acnes inside the blocked follicle breed and
produce acne infections. Infections grow and
irritate and inflame the skin, and macrophage
cells produce histamines that cause the skin to
become red, puffy and sensitive or even itchy.
This causes more follicle blockage and promotes
more acne infections. |
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More Biochemistry: Over a period of
time moderate to severe acne creates specific chemical
deficiencies in the skin. In some cases these
deficiencies become systemic (bodily) deficiencies and
this causes acne to become chronic (perpetual). As an
example, the skin requires huge amounts of zinc to fight
acne and to repair/heal its infections, placing a strain
on skin and body zinc supply. The majority of people
with moderate to severe acne develop systemic zinc
deficiency based upon the severity of the acne. As a
result infections tend to become larger, last longer and
heal more slowly.
Linoleic acid is a normal component of sebum. It is an
"essential fatty acid" required by the body and most
people are more familiar with this bio-chemical as omega
oil, fish oil, flax seed oil, safflower oil, evening
primrose oil, or a number of other terms. Essential
fatty acids are very powerful anti-inflammatory agents.
The sebaceous glands normally make sebum with linoleic
acid and this form of sebum is calming to the skin.
Modern foods have avoided these essential oils in favor
of "designer" lipids like trans-fatty acids and research
has found links suggesting trans-fats may break down the
body's supply of essential fatty acids. When linoleic
acid is not available in the skin, the sebaceous gland
produces sebum with oleic acid and this form of sebum is
irritating to the skin and promotes acne. It has been
suggested that oleic acid sebum is drier, firmer and
more prone to cause blackheads, whiteheads and promote
follicular plugs that lead to acne infections. |
