Skin is the largest organ of the body, consisting of two main layers – the epidermis and dermis – The function of the skin is to protect the body. It is the organ through which we sense touch, cold, hot, pricking, pain, pressure etc.

Epidermis – The outer protective layer of skin consists mostly of ‘keratinocytes’ (skin cells). The deepest layer contains ‘melanocytes’ that produce melanin and continuously dividing cells that form new skin cells. The top layer continually sheds dead skin cells and provides a protective covering.

Dermis – The sensitive layer of skin (below the epidermis and above the subcutaneous layer) made up of connective tissue, sensitive nerve endings, blood vessels, hair follicles, sweat glands, collagen bundles, elastin fibers etc.

Subcutaneous Tissue Layer (Hypodermis) – Lying below or under the dermis. It refers to the layer of connective tissue and fat cells beneath the skin. This layer acts as an insulating layer which helps to prevent the heat loss from body.

Oil Glands (Sebaceous glands) – Produce an oily substance called sebum, which is secreted to the skin surface via a duct (a very fine/narrow tube). These are found in hair follicles throughout the body, except in the soles of the feet and palms ofthe hands. Sebum helps keep skin soft & supple and also helps in removal of dead skin cells.

Sweat Glands – Located in the dermis. Helps regulate body temperature by manufacturing and excreting sweat onto the skin’s surface. Found all over the surface of the body.

Melanin – The pigment that gives skin, hair, and eyes their color. Melanin synthesis occurs in the ‘melanocytes’ found in the lowermost layer of the epidermis. Melanin production is triggered when UV light and other factors (e.g. irritation, stress, or hormone etc.) activate melanocyte to release/increase melanin production.

Hair Follicle – A tiny tube like structure in the skin which opens on the top skin layer (epidermis), that includes the canal, the hair shaft, the sebaceous (oil) gland, and the muscle attached to the follicle’s side wall. The follicle extends into the dermis, providing hair roots with a blood supply to grow.

Hair Follicle – A tiny tube like structure in the skin which opens on the top skin layer (epidermis), that includes the canal, the hair shaft, the sebaceous (oil) gland, and the muscle attached to the follicle’s side wall. The follicle extends into the dermis, providing hair roots with a blood supply to grow.

Normal Skin has an even tone, soft, a smooth texture, no visible pores or blemishes, and no greasy patches or flaky areas. This type of skin has a clear, fine-textured, supple and smooth surface which is neither greasy nor dry. It glows with an inner health which stems from good blood circulation and excellent health.

Oily Skin is shiny, thick and dull colored. Often a chronically oily skin has coarse pores and pimples and other embarrassing blemishes. It is prone to blackheads. In this type of skin, the oil producing sebaceous glands are overactive and produce more oil than is needed. The oil oozes and gives the skin a greasy shine. The pores are enlarged and the skin has a coarse look.

Dry Skin has low levels of sebum and can be sensitive and prone to wrinkles and blemishes. The skin has a parched look caused by its inability to retain moisture. It usually feels “tight” and uncomfortable after washing unless a moisturizer or skin cream is applied. Chapping and cracking are signs of extremely dry, dehydrated skin. Dryness is aggravated by wind, extremes of temperature and air-conditioning, all of which cause the skin to flake, chap and feel tight.

Combination Skin is a combination of both oily and dry skin. There is a greasy center panel consisting of nose, forehead and chin (referred to as the ‘T-zone’) and a dry panel consisting of cheeks, mouth and the areas around the eyes. This type of skin is very common, and it should be treated as if it were two different types of skin.

Nomarks, No Pimple No marks range has been developed to provide a complete regimen for Anti-acne Therapy. This not only addresses fighting infection and curing acne, but also removes the post-acne marks.

Acne is an inflammatory disease of the skin affecting the pilosebaceous units (skin structures consisting of a hair follicle and its associated sebaceous gland). The most common inflammatory manifestations of acne are pimples.

Acne usually develops in puberty due to hormonal changes, which is a key causative factor in acne. Acne is a skin problem that affects almost all teenagers. The condition results from the action of hormones on the skin’s oil glands (sebaceous glands). The sebaceous glands produce an oily substance called sebum that empties onto the skin surface through the hair follicle opening (pore). The mixture of oil and cells allows bacteria that normally live on the skin to grow in the follicle openings. When this happens, pores become clogged and pimples develop. In most cases, pimples occur on the face, neck, back, chest, and shoulders. Acne does not present a serious health risk, but severe acne can result in permanent scarring. In addition, acne can have significant physical and psychological consequences, such as causing a poor self-image, social inhibition, and anxiety.

Chronic acne, usually occurring in adolescence, with comedones, papules, nodules and pustules on the face, neck and upper part of the trunk is known as Acne vulgaris (Vulgaris being the Latin word for common).

Pimple/Acne lesions can be of the following types:

• Comedone is an enlarged hair follicle plugged with oil and bacteria.
• Blackhead also known as open comedone is a plugged follicle that reaches the surface of the skin. Although dark in appearance, blackheads do not indicate the presence of dirt; hence, it won’t wash away. The dark color comes from build up of melanin and bacteria.
• Whitehead also known as a closed comedone is a clogged follicle that stays beneath the skin. Whiteheads usually appear on the skin as round, white bumps.
• Papules are inflamed lesions that appear as small, pink bumps on the skin. They do not contain any visible puss.
• Pustules / pimples are inflamed pus-filled lesions red at the base .
• Cysts and nodules are large, inflamed, pus-filled lesions that are lodged deep and can drain, causing pain and scarring.
• Scars as they heal, acne lesions, particularly cysts and nodules and, less frequently, pistules may cause scars of various shape and size.

As mentioned above, excessive secretion of oils from the sebaceous glands combines with naturally occurring dead skin cells to block the hair follicles. Oil secretions build up beneath the blocked pore, forming a comedone, which is a perfect anaerobic environment for the growth of the common skin bacteria species: Propionibacterium acnes. Bacterial growth triggers inflammatory response, producing an inflamed lesion, such as a pustule or a nodule. After an inflamed lesion heals, a scar may develop.

Pimple/Acne develop due to a combination of several factors, which are influenced mainly by heredity, age and gender. Lifestyle factors, such as diet or grooming habits appear to play a minimal role. In many people, acne disappears by early to mid twenties. Others continue to experience it throughout adult life, even though adult acne tends to be milder. Acne is very common skin condition that requires specified treatment.

Some of the Factors Believed to Contribute to the Development of Acne:

• Hormonal levels: Certain hormones, particularly androgens, such as testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT), promote acne and can cause spikes increased production of sebum. Of importance are not only absolute levels of these hormones but also the levels relative to other hormones, such as estrogens and progestins. Acne tends to flare up when levels of androgens increase either absolutely or relatively to other hormones. This is one of the main reasons why acne flare-ups are linked to puberty and menstrual cycles. Current figures indicate nearly 85% of people will develop acne at some point between the ages of 12 and 25.
• Genetics: Another factor is heredity or genetics. Many researchers now believe that the tendency to develop acne can be inherited from parents. Indeed, it is also true that acne is much more common in children of parents who have had or still have acne than those who do not.
• Excessive sebum production: Excess sebum from overactive sebaceous glands is an important factor in acne. Excess sebum is most often caused by increase in absolute or relative levels of androgenic hormones (as stated above). Sebum production may also be increased by stress and heat.
• Accumulation of dead skin cells: Excessive shedding of dead skin cells can plug the pore, creating a nutrient-rich anaerobic (oxygen-free) environment conducive to overgrowth of acne-causing bacteria.
• Bacteria: Bacteria are part of the normal microflora residing in pores. Under normal circumstances, the microflora is in balance with the environment of the pore and does not cause any problems. However, various factors can tip the balance and cause bacteria to grow excessively. This triggers inflammatory response leading to the acne lesions. As mentioned above Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) is the species of bacteria most commonly associated with acne.
• Heavy or oily cosmetics: In the case of certain cosmetics, their ingredients can affect the structure of hair follicles and lead to over-production of sebum, which in turn clogs the pores.
• Over-abrasive cleansing: Astringent facial products can dry the skin out and also causes the body to overproduce sebum to compensate. The use of harsh exfoliates can damage existing spots and spread infection.
• Skin irritation: Skin irritation does not generally cause acne by itself, but may induce a flare-up or exacerbate existing lesions.
• Heavy scrubbing of skin: Picking or squeezing blackheads and/or whiteheads can cause the infection to move deeper into the skin and which will lead to scarring.
• Diet: While no foods actually have been linked to the cause of acne, it is proven that certain foods can be responsible for acne flare-ups.
• Drugs, pollutants: Certain drugs and environmental pollutants have been linked to acne with varying degree of certainty. Some examples include anabolic steroids, lithium, and barbiturates, anti-anxiety and anti-depressants.
• Stress: There is some preliminary evidence that stress may exacerbate acne. The proposed mechanisms of this effect include altered hormonal levels (such as CRH and adrenal hormones) and suppression of immune system linked to stress.

When you look at some one the face gives you the first impression about that person, which is why it is said, the ‘face value’. Hence, one needs to have a great face. However, when there are pimples, acne or other marks on the face, it hampers self confidence, self esteem and winning attitude of the affected person.

Treatment methods differ depending on how serious the acne is. Acne treatment consists of:

• Reducing sebum production
• Removing dead skin cells, and
• Killing pimple/acne – causing bacteria

There are many treatment options available for treating pimples, acne and acne marks:

• Topical antibiotic creams: These creams will take care of infection, partially; but what about inflammation, pain, and post pimple marks?
• Topical steroids: These drugs will take care of inflammation and pain not the infection and marks.
• Other topical preparations: They will take care of infection and inflammation but not post-pimple marks which are left on the face.

Acne lesions heal slowly, and when one begins to resolve, others seem to crop up.

The good news is that effective treatments for skin disorders are available with the OZONE Group.