Skin Cancer | Dr Gerard Ee

[vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1529750327466{margin-top: 0px !important;background-image: url(https://drgerardee.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/skinbanner.jpg?id=10738) !important;background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;}”][vc_column offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-6 vc_col-lg-5 vc_col-md-offset-0 vc_col-md-12″ css=”.vc_custom_1529740772444{padding-right: 5% !important;padding-left: 5% !important;}”][vc_empty_space height=”180px” el_class=”hidden-sm hidden-xs”][pbr_title_heading title=”” subtitle=”What is Acne?” descript=”Many of us will be plagued with acne at some point in our lives – just when you think you’re safe, those hormonal changes kick in and – it’s blemish-central. Acne is characterised by primary lesions on the face, chest, and back, which form when the skin pores become clogged with oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria. Such lesions are either noninflammatory (open and closed comedones, also called whiteheads and blackheads) or inflammatory (papules and pustules).” font_color=”#000000″ el_class=”aboutbanner”][vc_empty_space height=”20px” el_class=”hidden-sm hidden-xs”][vc_btn title=”LET’S TALK” style=”custom” custom_background=”#000000″ custom_text=”#ffffff” shape=”round” size=”lg” link=”url:%23pbr-footer|||”][vc_empty_space height=”150px” el_class=”hidden-sm hidden-xs”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1516258494223{margin-top: 40px !important;}”][vc_column offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-0 vc_col-md-12″ css=”.vc_custom_1516246027405{padding-right: 5% !important;padding-left: 5% !important;}”][vc_custom_heading text=”What is Acne?” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:center|color:%23000000″ google_fonts=”font_family:Alegreya%20Sans%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C500%2C500italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C800%2C800italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal” el_class=”skinheading”][vc_custom_heading text=”Acne & Blemishes” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:center|color:%23c1a79e” google_fonts=”font_family:Alegreya%20Sans%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C500%2C500italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C800%2C800italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal” el_class=”skinsubheading”][vc_separator border_width=”2″ el_width=”20″ el_class=”headingseperator”][pbr_title_heading title=”” descript=”Acne is a common inflammatory disorder of the face, back, and chest that is characterised by the presence of blackheads, pustules, and potentially cysts and scars. Acne usually starts at puberty and varies in severity from a few spots, which most adolescents will have at some time, to a more serious problem that may be embarrassing, sap self-confidence and cause scarring. The sebaceous (oil-producing) glands of people who get acne are particularly sensitive to normal blood levels of a hormone called testosterone, which is present in both men and women. This causes the glands to produce an excess of oil. At the same time, the dead skin cells lining the pores are not shed properly and clog up the follicles. These two effects result in a build-up of oil producing blackheads (where a darkened plug of oil is visible) and whiteheads. During the teenage years, you make much more sebum than when you were a child. This is due to the hormonal changes of puberty which stimulate the sebaceous glands. As a rule, the more sebum that you make, the more greasy your skin feels and the worse acne is likely to be.” alignment=”text-center” font_color=”#000000″ el_class=”aboutcenter”][vc_empty_space height=”10px” el_class=”hidden-sm hidden-xs”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1529929819471{margin-top: 110px !important;margin-bottom: 520px !important;}”][vc_column offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-0 vc_col-md-12″ css=”.vc_custom_1516246027405{padding-right: 5% !important;padding-left: 5% !important;}”][vc_column_text]

What is P. Acnes?

Propionibacterium acnes is the skin bacteria significantly responsible for the condition. The increased production of testosterone during puberty (which occurs in both boys and girls) causes the sebaceous glands to increase production of oily sebum. Normally, the oil just seeps out, keeping the skin lubricated and helping to remove dead skin cells. But when the flow increases, pores get clogged. Since P. acnes loves sebum, it multiplies rapidly in skin pores, causing redness and swelling and a variety of lesions ranging from open comedones to pustules and cysts. Acne most commonly develops on:

Face – this affects almost everyone with acne
Back – this affects more than half of people with acne
Chest – this affects about 15% of people with acne

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[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1516258494223{margin-top: 40px !important;}”][vc_column offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-0 vc_col-md-12″ css=”.vc_custom_1516246027405{padding-right: 5% !important;padding-left: 5% !important;}”][vc_custom_heading text=”What Causes Acne?” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%23c1a79e” google_fonts=”font_family:Alegreya%20Sans%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C500%2C500italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C800%2C800italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal” el_class=”skinsubheading”][pbr_title_heading title=”” descript=”4 main contributing pathogenic factors of acne have been clearly identified:” font_color=”#000000″ el_class=”aboutcenter”][vc_empty_space height=”10px” el_class=”hidden-sm hidden-xs”][vc_column_text el_class=”skinulsection”]Androgen-induced seborrhoea(excess grease)

The more sebum (grease) the greater degree of acne
Sebum is produced by the pilosebaceous glands, which are predominantly found on the face, back and chest
Evidence suggests that in most patients the seborrhoea is due to increased response of the sebaceous glands to normal levels of plasma androgens

Comedone formation(blackheads, whiteheads and microcomedones)

Is due to an abnormal proliferation and differentiation of ductal keratinocytes
It is controlled, in part, by androgens
In pre-pubertal subjects comedones are seen early and they precede the development of inflammatory lesions

Colonisation of the pilosebaceous duct with P. Acnes

Is a later stage in the development of acne lesions (especially inflammatory lesions)
The seborrhoea and comedone formation alter the ductal micro environment, which results in colonisation of the duct
P. acnes is the most important organism

Production of inflammation

Biological changes occurring in the duct as a result of comedone formation and P. acnes colonisation of the duct
And the patients cellular (especially lymphocytes) response within the dermis, which responds to pro-inflammatory cytokines spreading from the duct to the dermis

Secondary factors that could trigger or exacerbate acne may include inappropriate personal hygiene (use of abrasive soaps, harsh detergents, and excessive scrubbing), use of cosmetics and emollients (pore occlusion could cause an acneiform eruption), environmental factors (exposure to dust, dirt, polluting elements, food residues, and sweat), hormonal factors and common medications[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1529929902009{margin-top: 150px !important;margin-bottom: 600px !important;}”][vc_column offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-0 vc_col-md-12″ css=”.vc_custom_1516246027405{padding-right: 5% !important;padding-left: 5% !important;}”][vc_column_text]

Complications of Acne?

Acne Scars – Any type of acne spot can lead to scarring, but it’s more common when the most serious types of spots (nodules and cysts) burst and damage nearby skin. There are three main types of acne scars: Ice-pick scars: small, deep holes in the surface of your skin that look like the skin has been punctured with a sharp object. Rolling scars: caused by bands of scar tissue that form under the skin giving the surface of the skin a rolling and uneven appearance. Boxcar scars: round or oval depressions, or craters, in the skin.
Hyper/hypo-pigmentation – Picking at or popping the acne breakouts can cause the skin to become damaged and discolored. This discoloration can be difficult to eliminate, which can make the skin appear blotchy and uneven long after the acne has cleared.
Psychological Issues – Acne can often cause intense feelings of anxiety and stress, which can sometimes make people with the condition become socially withdrawn. This combination of factors can lead to people with acne becoming depressed.

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Topical (applied to the skin) prescription products are the most common medical treatment for mild to moderate acne. The active ingredients often target only one cause of acne – help to control abnormal shedding of skin cells, or kill bacteria or reduce excess oil production. Newer combination treatments have been developed that include several active ingredients and target multiple factors at the same time. The main active ingredients in topicals are: Retinoids, Antibiotics, and Benzoyl peroxide