Dandruff is a common condition resulting dry and flaking of the skin on the head (scalp) and can affect any age group or gender.Apart from itching and shedding skin flakes, dandruff can usually be accompanied with pimples on the head (scalp pimples). Scalp pimples are usually caused by inflammation and sometimes infection of the hair follicle (folliculitis) characterized by itchy pustules on the affected area. These pimples usually dry up spontaneously and form a crust on the scalp. While scalp pimples may subside without any treatment, it can become a serious condition if the infection spreads.

Oily skin is the excessive production of oil (sebum) by the oil glands of the skin (sebaceous glands) that gives the skin the oily and shiny texture often associated with teenagers and those suffering with acne vulgaris. Increased oil production is a result of hormones, particularly the androgens (male sex hormones) which is present in both males and females.

What causes oily skin?

At puberty, or during hormonal fluctuations that cause oily skin, the action of these androgens increases the size of the oil glands in the skin (sebaceous glands) as well as causing enlarged pores. This enlarged glands and pores result in more oil being produced as well as more oil being secreted onto the skin. It is often believed that oily skin is a result of external factors but long term oily skin is very much an internal process regulated by the body’s hormones.

Acne Resources

USA

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
National Institutes of Health
1 AMS Circle Bethesda
MD 20892-3675
Phone: 301-495-4484 or 877-22-NIAMS (226-4267) (free of charge)
TTY: 301-565-2966
Fax: 301-718-6366
E-mail: niamsInfo@mail.nih.gov
URL: www.niams.nih.gov

Acne The Truth

1) Poor hygiene can cause acne

Acne is not caused by dirt or oily skin. You can actually make your acne worse by washing infected areas regularly and or scrubbing hard. Wash your skin gently twice daily as normal, using mild soap and patting dry the infected areas with soft clean towels.

2) Squeezing acne spots

Squeezing your acne spots, blackheads or pimples will not reduce or clear up your acne any quicker. Doing so could leave permanent scarring and cause further inflammation.

What Causes Acne?

There are several factors that can cause acne such as hormonal changes in adolescence or pregnancy, birth control pills, bacteria in the skin pores and use of anabolic steroids among other things.

One important factor behind acne experts believe is an increase in the male sex hormones androgens which increase in both boys and girls during adolescence that cause the sebaceous glands to enlarge, creating more sebum (oily secretion).

Experts also believe acne to be in part, hereditary.