Problems with the sebaceous glands: all causes * Diana Clinic in St. Petersburg

Where is increased fat content possible?

The content of the article

Problem areas:

upper back;
facial part, especially the chin, forehead and cheeks;
cervical and thoracic parts of the body;
genitals in both sexes;
peripapillary zone.

These are the most common and most common, but there may be others. The only places on the body where acne cannot appear are the palms and feet. Due to the too thick and rough layer of the epidermis, incapable of this kind of inflammation.

Leather

Skin is the largest human organ by area. The skin forms the outer covering that separates internal organs and tissues from the environment.

The skin consists of the epidermis (from the Greek epi - above and derma - skin) - the outer layer, and the dermis (the skin itself) - the inner connective tissue layer. Below the skin is the hypodermis (Greek hypo - down), represented by adipose tissue.

Epidermis

The epidermis of the skin is represented by stratified keratinizing epithelium. In the epidermis there are (from bottom to top) 5 layers: basal, spinous, granular, shiny and horny. In the basal layer, cells rapidly divide by mitosis; as cells move to the surface, they die and become keratinized. Keratinization is associated with the accumulation of a special substance by cells - keratin.

The horny (uppermost) layer of the epidermis is completely renewed in 7-11 days. Thanks to this renewal, the epidermis is very resistant to mechanical and chemical factors, is a barrier to microbes - bacteria, and is impenetrable to water.

In the basal layer there are melanocytes (from the Greek melanos - black) - cells that accumulate the black pigment - melanin. The synthesis of this pigment increases with prolonged exposure to the sun, which is the reason for the appearance of “tanning” on the skin.

In fact, tanning represents the body's protective reaction to the harmful effects of ultraviolet rays, which prevents them from passing through the skin into internal tissues and organs.

Dermis

Under the epidermis is the dermis (the skin itself), in which you can find sweat and sebaceous glands, as well as hair follicles (lat. folliculus - pouch). The dermis contains blood and lymphatic vessels, nerves, and muscle fibers.

The dermis has two layers:

Papillary

Formed by loose connective tissue in the form of papillae, protruding into the lower layers of the epidermis. It is the papillary layer that determines the unique pattern of human skin. Blood and lymphatic vessels and nerve endings are located here.

Reticulate

Formed by dense fibrous connective tissue. Structural proteins - collagen and elastin (along with hyaluronic acid) - give this layer (and the skin in general) strength and elasticity. Sweat and sebaceous glands and hair follicles are localized in the reticular layer.

We begin to study the appendages of the skin: sebaceous, sweat glands, hair and nails. The term appendages in no way downplays the significance of these formations; it only emphasizes that all of them are a derivative (formed from) the epidermis of the skin.

Sweat glands are tubular exocrine glands whose ducts open into pores on the surface of the skin. A secretion is secreted - sweat, which contains water, urea, uric acid, and salts. Sweat glands are found almost throughout the surface of the skin.

Functions of sweat glands:

Excretory - removes urea and uric acid from the body
Participation in water and salt metabolism - water and salts are released with sweat to maintain homeostasis
Thermoregulation - when sweat evaporates, the skin cools, getting rid of excess heat

The sebaceous glands are located, unlike the sweat glands, more superficially. Their excretory ducts can open both into the hair follicle and onto the surface of the skin. The secret of the sebaceous glands is sebum, which prevents the development of microbes on the skin, prevents the skin from drying out, softens its surface and is a lubricant for the skin appendages - hair.

Hair is a derivative of the epidermis, consisting of a root and a shaft. The hair root ends in a hair follicle, into which the hair papilla with vessels and nerves enters from below. Hair growth occurs due to cell division of the hair follicle. Outside, the hair root is surrounded by a hair follicle, to which the levator pili muscle is attached.

The duct of the sebaceous gland opens into the hair funnel - the place where the hair root passes into the shaft. The rod consists of medulla and cortex, represented by keratinized cells. With old age, the amount of pigment in keratinized cells (scales) decreases, and the number of gas bubbles increases, which is the cause of graying of hair.

Human hair, compared to many other animals, is tiny and cannot serve as thermal insulation. Eyelashes, eyebrows, nose and ear hairs perform a protective function. Eyebrows serve to prevent sweat, an irritant, from getting into the eyes.

Nails are derivatives of the epidermis, which are convex horny plates located in the nail bed. The nail bed consists of germinal epithelium and connective tissue, rich in nerve endings and blood vessels. Nail growth occurs due to the division of germ epithelial cells.

In the lower part, the nail bed is surrounded by a dense leathery cushion - the cuticle, which protects the growth zone of the nail from bacteria and foreign particles. The function of the nail is to protect the sensitive part of the finger from mechanical damage and create support for it.

Skin is an organ of thermoregulation

You already know that due to the evaporation of sweat, the skin can cool, thereby performing a thermoregulatory function. However, this is not the only mechanism of thermoregulation. The skin contains networks of blood vessels.

During the heat, blood vessels dilate, blood fills them - heat transfer increases, thus the body gives off excess heat to the environment.

During cold weather, the blood vessels narrow, there is less blood in them (heat transfer decreases), it rushes to the internal organs (liver) so that the body can maintain the optimal temperature for as long as possible.

Skin is the organ of touch

The skin contains nerve endings (receptors) that perceive various stimuli: cold, heat, pressure, pain. Cold receptors are located at the surface of the skin, while thermal receptors are located in the dermis (the skin itself). Pain is perceived through free nerve endings.

Skin is the site of vitamin D synthesis

The skin is actively involved in the synthesis of vitamin D. It contains a substance that is a precursor to vitamin D - ergosterol, which is converted into vitamin D under ultraviolet rays (which is why it is useful to be in the sun).

In children, with a lack of solar radiation (insolation), rickets can develop - softening of bone tissue, since vitamin D is involved in the absorption of calcium.

Skin functions

At the end of the article, we will collect all the functions of the skin together into a system to make it easier to memorize. So, the functions of the skin:

Protective

Protects internal organs and tissues from mechanical damage, covered with sebum, which prevents the development of pathogenic microorganisms.

Immune

When foreign substances (antigens) enter the skin, they are recognized, destroyed and removed. Inflammation of the skin is called dermatitis (from ancient Greek δέρμα, δέρματος - skin + lat. itis - inflammation).

Thermoregulatory

Thermoregulation is carried out by sweat glands, blood vessels and subcutaneous fat, which insulates internal organs and tissues.

excretory

Thanks to the work of the sweat glands, uric acid and urea, metabolic by-products, are removed from the body.

Blood depot

When the skin vessels are filled, up to 1 liter of blood can be deposited in them.

Receptor

The skin contains temperature, cold, pain, and pressure receptors. All of them provide the tactile function of the skin.

Participation in metabolism

Due to the work of the sweat glands, the skin takes part in water-salt metabolism, and due to the formation of vitamin D during insolation (sun exposure).

Diseases

The branch of medicine that studies the skin is called dermatology. A severe hereditary skin disease is known - ichthyosis (Greek "ichthys" - fish). It is characterized by a violation of keratinization of the skin: scales are formed that resemble fish scales. Sometimes keratinization is so severe that it is incompatible with life.

This article was written by Yuri Sergeevich Bellevich and is his intellectual property. Copying, distribution (including by copying to other sites and resources on the Internet) or any other use of information and objects without the prior consent of the copyright holder is punishable by law. To obtain article materials and permission to use them, please contact Yuri Bellevich

Causes

Dry skin;
Hormonal changes in the whole body;
Infection;
Too much sebum production.

In addition to these reasons, there is another factor that was recently established by scientists - heredity.

Let's look at each reason in more detail.

Dry skin

One of the most common reasons. Due to dryness, the skin exfoliates and its particles clog the pores, which causes inflammation. It is very important to consider several points that cause excessive dry skin:

Age. Over the years, the skin gradually loses many of its important properties, which include moisture retention.
Environment. Dry and cold air, low humidity, and so on.
Shower with hot water. Leads to the destruction of the protective layer of the skin.
Allergic diseases.
Hygiene products. Using regular soap on sensitive areas of the skin: facial skin, intimate areas, can cause dryness and cause acne.

Hormonal background

The reason lies in the incorrect proportion of sex hormones in the blood. Androgens (male hormones) play a very important role here. If their level is exceeded, then excess secretion begins from the sebaceous and sweat glands, which is the reason for the appearance of acne. You can also isolate progesterone, a hormone secreted in pregnant women. Leads to clogging of pores and, as a result, sebaceous inflammation appears.

Lack of estrogen can also cause excessive oily skin.

What does the work of the sebaceous glands depend on?

The amount of secretion produced by the sebaceous glands is not the same in all people. With dry skin, the production of sebocytes is reduced, and oily skin is characterized by their increased reproduction. Contrary to popular belief, only 10 percent of acne cases in adults are associated with hormonal changes in the body. For example, they appear with ovarian cysts and disappear after treatment of the underlying disease. A similar effect can be observed in adolescents during puberty - with an increase in the production of sex hormones in the body. True, experts often attribute the appearance of teenage acne to increased emotionality and psychological instability characteristic of this age. The main reason
for the appearance of acne is the increased sensitivity of the sebaceous glands themselves.
On their surface there are receptors sensitive to male sex hormones - androgens. Androgens are released not only in the male body, but also in the female body. If the number of these receptors or their sensitivity to hormones increases, the activity of sebocyte division in the sebaceous gland increases. The sensitivity of the receptors is determined genetically
. That is why contacting an endocrinologist with acne problems and attempting hormonal treatment often does not bring results.

Sebum production

There are 3 factors that can affect the amount of sebum production. Androgen, or rather its excess in the blood, is one of the reasons. Rarely, but still there is a special disease called “seborrhea”. And of course, a very common cause in the 21st century is poor nutrition.

Here is a list of products that promote the active secretion of sebum:

carbonated drinks;
alcoholic drinks;
products in the production of which dyes were used;
caffeinated drinks (black tea, coffee;
sweet and flour;
spicy, smoked food.

How to prevent it?

Despite the fact that the level of gland secretion is genetically determined, the appearance of acne can be reduced by reducing risk factors
. First of all, by reducing the intake of substances into the body that provoke an increase in the secretion of the sebaceous glands. The main ones are: - large amounts of spicy and salty foods, - added sugar and chocolate, - nicotine and other toxic substances from tobacco smoke. - alcohol. This is another reason why teenagers should avoid drinking and smoking. But the hygiene factor in the prevention of acne is far from leading. Bacteria will remain on the skin in any case, no matter how thoroughly a person washes his face.

Treatment and prevention

It would be best and safest to contact a competent doctor - an endocrinologist, so that further treatment takes place under his strict supervision. You will have to start with a healthy diet that limits the consumption of foods that are harmful to good skin condition. And it won’t hurt to start special cosmetic skin care.

ONLINE REGISTRATION at the DIANA clinic

You can sign up by calling the toll-free phone number 8-800-707-15-60 or filling out the contact form. In this case, we will contact you ourselves.

How to fight?

One of the most common methods of dealing with acne is squeezing it out. Beauty salons even provide deep facial cleansing services, which supposedly helps get rid of acne forever. However, such procedures do not affect any of the factors in the formation of acne. The improvement is only temporary
and does not affect the further development of the disease.
Some cosmetic products allow you to gently remove the keratin plug from the sebaceous gland duct, improving the outflow of secretions and preventing the proliferation of bacteria. There are also products with an antibacterial effect that continue to act even when inflammation has already begun in the sebaceous gland. A qualified dermatologist will select products
suitable for your specific skin type and severity of symptoms. But if these measures are not enough, then the treatment of acne requires serious medical intervention and the use of special medications.

Solving problems with an endocrinologist

If there is an imbalance in the hormonal system, then an endocrinologist will eliminate it. I, Georgy Nikitich Romanov, am an endocrinologist with more than 20 years of experience in the specialty. If you have very oily facial skin, and conventional methods do not help to eliminate this problem, then the best solution would be to contact me for help. I will take a detailed history, prescribe tests based on what I see, evaluate the results, and determine effective treatment. Women of different ages approached me with this problem, and we always found the best solution to this problem.

I provide face-to-face consultations at a medical clinic in Gomel, as well as online consultations. You can sign up for an online consultation in one of the suggested sources: Viber, Telegram, Instagram, WhatsApp, Skype, Vkontakte.

My experience and knowledge work for you to solve skin problems and eliminate existing discomfort.

Let's sum it up

There can be many reasons for the occurrence of increased oiliness in the dermis, but the solutions to all problems are basically the same. Therefore, it is very important to figure out how to reduce or remove, get rid of excess oily skin on the face, what to do when the chosen gentle products no longer help, and what you can count on. Modern cosmetology offers many different options for influencing the dermis, but not all of them are equally safe and effective, and many problems can be completely solved with high-quality home care.

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