Zits

Zits—or, less colloquially, acne lesions, are sensitive inflammations of the skin resulting from the blockage of skin pores by glandular oil. They are most common in the facial area, but are also frequently found around the shoulders and upper torso.

The bane of adolescence, zits tend to make their first and most dramatic appearance in the teen years, but in some cases can continue to plague individuals well into their forties. Acne is a mild skin disorder, causing only mild discomfort and posing no health risks. However, there may be significant psychological ramifications for individuals with severe acne, such as depression and low self-esteem. If improperly treated, acne can also lead to serious tissue scarring.

What Causes Zits

Zits are formed around pores in the skin which house hair follicles. In addition to the follicle and skin cells, these pores naturally produce glandular oil called sebum, which helps to maintain and protect the skin. When an excess of sebum is produced, it can create a clog in the pore, which may further abut against the hair and cells, preventing the oil from reaching the surface of the flesh and forcing it to accumulate beneath. This creates a fertile breeding ground for bacteria which irritate the skin, causing an inflamed swelling which results in the zit. A swelling which is significantly above the skin turns black, causing a blackhead, while one that is significantly below the skin remains white, resulting in a whitehead.

Factors Leading to Zits

Because the hormonal changes of puberty result in a large secretion of bodily oil, teenagers tend to be hit hardest by outbreaks of acne. Similar secretions are caused by the onset of menstruation, so women often suffer from an abrupt bout of acne several days before their periods. Excessively oily cosmetics can also contribute to acne in women. Other factors which may result in acne are:

• Polluted and oily environments


• Excessive irritation of the skin through scrubbing or other contact


• Stress, which tends to provoke the body to release more oils.

The specific factors that cause certain people to develop heavier acne than others are not well understood, but severe acne is believed, though not proven, to be hereditary. Two factors often unfairly accused of leading to acne are diet and dirt. There is no evidence that greasy or sugary foods cause zits, nor does poor personal hygiene possess any direct connection to an increase of acne.

Treatment of Zits

Zits are most often treated by store-bought creams and lotions, which dry the oily skin and kill acne-causing bacteria. In severe cases, dermatologists will prescribe antibiotics and other strong medicines. One particularly powerful medication used for the treatment of acne is isotretinoin, which has an extremely high success rate (often clearing up all acne within four to five months) but may cause a variety of side effects, including skin irritation, hair loss, nose bleeds, and in certain cases, severe depression.

By Matthew Ingalls