Acne: Are You Doing Anything About It?

Acne Q&A

Clearing up acne fast starts with having a good understanding of the disease.
Below are some common questions about acne, including how it develops, how you can best deal with it yourself and what additional treatments are available.

Q
Why can acne affect the back as well as the face?
A

Sebaceous glands are not only found on your face; there are also a lot on your back and chest.

Because of this, with serious cases of acne, it can develop not only on the face but also on the back and chest where there are a lot of sebaceous glands where sebum is produced in large quantities. If you develop acne in these areas, wash them carefully with soap and apply medication, the same as you would for your face.

Q
What is an effective way to wash my face?
A

Removing sebum and clearing pores by thoroughly washing your face is imperative for fighting acne. To do this, carefully wash your face, especially near your hairline, using soap and warm water. People with oily skin can wash their faces several times a day, and it is more effective to use acne soap. For people whose skin is not so oily, washing the face two to three times a day is sufficient.

Q
Which gender is more prone to acne?
A

Men are more prone to acne because male hormones stimulate sebaceous glands.

Male hormones and female hormones are excreted in the bodies of both sexes. However, in the case of women, the proportion is 1:2 for male hormones to female hormones. The same ratio is 7:1 in men. In terms of the actual number of people who have acne, there are more men, but more women than men see a doctor about it.

Q
Is acne only a problem during puberty?
A

Recently, more people in their 20s and 30s are suffering from acne.

Issues such as fatigue and stress are other major triggers of acne. Fatigue from and worries about work can worsen the condition of your skin. An irregular diet, alcohol, and smoking also leave you more prone to developing acne.

Q
Why do acne symptoms get worse when you have your period?
A

When menstruating large quantities of female hormones are secreted, and these in turn stimulate sebum secretion.

Acne is closely connected to sex hormones (androgens). Excessive or unbalanced sex hormones stimulate sebum secretion. Acne gets worse just before your period starts because the secretion of sex hormones is at its height at this time.

Q
Is it true that popping pimples helps them heal faster?
A

Doctors will occasionally pop pimples during medical treatment, but you should not pop them yourself.

Pushing out accumulated sebum in the direction of the pore may speed up healing. To do so, however, requires the use of a sterilized instrument and specialized knowledge and skill to avoid damaging the inside of the pore. Rather than encouraging healing, indiscreetly popping pimples damages the skin and contaminates the pores with germs. It may also result in acne scars.

Q
How can I avoid acne scarring?
A

If you develop acne, try not to irritate it. Don't scratch or pop the pimples, and keep your skin clean.

For mild acne, apply a topical cream, wash your face carefully, and do not wear makeup that will clog your pores. If your face still does not clear up, seek treatment from a doctor.

Q
Is there a difference between treatment for acne scars and treatment for acne?
A

The purpose of treatment for acne scars is to normalize the surface color and unevenness of the skin, whereas the purpose of treatment for acne is to reduce inflammation.

The primary purpose of acne treatment is to reduce the vigorous secretion of sebum, kill bacteria, and reduce inflammation. When treating acne scars, the primary focus is cosmetic, focusing on lightening pigmentation after inflammation and mending depressions in the skin.

Q
Can acne be treated in a hospital or clinic?
A

Yes, it can.

Acne is actually a disease called acne vulgaris, and so, in Japan, treatment is covered by national health insurance. You will receive treatment suited to your symptoms based on the diagnosis of a doctor. Treatment options not covered by national health insurance may also be available with the patient's consent, if desired.