During Adolescence, there can be over activity of the sebaceous glands due to hormonal activity, leading to secretion of more sebum.
Oily skin can be hereditary, which increases the sensitivity of the skin to hormonal changes.
Sebum is a sticky fluid which keeps the skin moist and maintains skin temperature.
It also moisturizes the skin and keeps it supple and soft.
When it is produced in excess, it tends to accumulate in the pores of the hair follicles.
On top of this more dirt and bacteria gets stuck to the sebum, and bacteria starts growing in them.
This further leads to more infections, the pore gets blocked with dead cells, dirt, sebum and bacteria.
That area becomes red in colour, swells and pus formation starts in it.
It takes the form of a pimple or a pustule.
Similarly whiteheads and blackheads also develop on skin.
It is known that squeezing or popping pimples tends to force the oil and bacteria into the deeper skin layers, making cysts more likely to occur.
Also excessive scrubbing of the skin actually irritates the skin and increases the number of loose skin cells, leading to increased pore clogging.
Anything that puts pressure on, or rubs the skin excessively will aggravate acne.
The infection can increase a great deal and spread on the whole body as well.
Hence medication and treatment are important as it can also lead to social and mental stress due to embarrassment.
Contrary to belief, acne is not caused by eating oily foods, soft drinks, or chocolate.
Likewise, acne does not indicate that the teen's face is too dirty.
Although there is no true cure for acne, proper skin care, skin gel, oral antibiotics, and other oral medications are available to control the more severe forms of acne.
A variety of prescription medications are used today to clear acne.
Topical medications may be prescribed for mild to severe acne while Systemic therapy is needed to treat severe acne and may be used for moderate cases.
These medications, which play an important role in acne treatment, attack the different factors that lead to acne.
To achieve long-term control and resolution, dermatologists may combine therapies.
The medications which are generally used or prescribed by dermatologists are - Interlesional Corticosteroid Injection, Isotretinoin, Oral Antibiotics (like Erythromycin and Tetracycline derivatives), Oral Contraceptives, Topicals Antimicrobials (like - Azelaic acid, Benzoyl peroxide, Clindamycin, Erythromycin, Sodium sulfacetamide) and Topical Retinoids (like Adapalene, Tazarotene, Tretinoin).
These medications improve acne by - Unplugging skin pores and stopping them from getting plugged with oil, Killing bacteria, Reducing the amount of skin oil, and Reducing the effects of hormones in producing acne.
Certain medications, especially hormones taken orally or by injection can increase acne as a side effect.
Females often observe that their acne increases before or during their menstrual periods, as a result of the increased hormones present at this time.
Every teen knows that stress and tension can induce acne flare ups.
Hence these should be avoided.
The best medical treatment for acne often is a combination of medications.