The pimple story begins long before we wake up to a big, red, nasty surprise in the middle of our face. In fact, it all starts with the formation of a carnation weeks or even months before that pus-filled pimple appears. Blackheads are born for two reasons: an increase in fat produced in skin glands and clogging in the pores where this fat should be released. “In general, pores clog because of excessive production of keratin (a substance naturally manufactured by the body), which hinders the output of fat. But beauty products, especially greasy ones, can have the same effect”, says dermatologist Ana Schor, from the Vertex clinic, in São Paulo (SP). The transformation of a carnation into a pimple occurs when it faces an infection, a body reaction to the presence of bacteria on the site.
The problem, generically called acne, can appear at any age, but it gets worse in adolescence, when it affects 80% of young people – the increase in the level of hormones in the body encourages the production of fat in the skin. To prevent the cycle from starting, experts recommend some precautions. The first is to wash your face twice a day with antibacterial soap or with salicylic acid – which makes the skin thinner, preventing pores from clogging. The second is to avoid excessive sun exposure (which thickens the skin) or, when this is unavoidable, protect yourself with gel sunscreens, which are not greasy.
It’s also good to stay away from the «infallible» homemade recipes, which recommend everything from toothpaste to multipurpose creams to deal with pimples, products that can cause stains, allergies and burns. There are, it is true, specific creams and medications that help control the problem, but they should always be indicated by a dermatologist. It is also worth remembering that chocolate has nothing to do with acne. To date, there is no scientific evidence that some foods cause pimples.
Damn stuffiness!
2. The opening of this follicle is a pore in the skin that, when blocked, causes fat to accumulate in the area. When the clogged pore is very wide, the stored fat has greater contact with the air and oxidizes, forming a black “cap”. This is a blackhead that usually doesn’t turn into a pimple.
3. In a narrower pore, there is less contact between the fat and the air, so the black spot created by oxidation does not appear. On the other hand, bacteria proliferate in the place that feed on fat and do not like the air very much. On this type of carnation, the so-called white dot is formed, which, when squeezed, looks like toothpaste coming out of a tube. Usually, it is in this blackhead that the pimple develops.
4. Depending on the amount of bacteria that proliferate in the whitehead, the body can react to the intruders by triggering inflammation. When this happens, what dermatologists call a papule forms: the tissues around the blackhead become swollen and red, creating a small painful bump at the site.
5. If the inflammation is very strong, an accumulation of pus may start, leading the pimple to its final stage: the pustule. The pus forms a blister above skin level, looking like a volcano about to erupt. Despite the temptation, squeezing the pimple only makes the infection worse. To prevent this from happening and to reduce the risk of getting an unwanted scar, the best thing to do is wait for the pus to dry and the pimple to disappear naturally.
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