The skin has its own advanced system that enables it to take care of itself and protect the body against environmental harm. At times however, things may not go as they should, and so the skin’s immune system ends up either becoming too active or less active. This is what might cause one to have an oily face.
What causes oily face?
Under the skin surface are glands that release sebum, an oily substance that has nutrients, antimicrobial properties, and moisture; the liquid usually moves up along hair follicles and spreads over the external body surface.
The rate of activity of these glands varies with individuals. While some of the causes of this variation may be genetic, at other times it comes about because of age, environmental conditions, eating habits, diseases, medication, and lifestyle. A combination of these factors determines whether a person will experience very low sebaceous gland activity that will lead to dry skin, moderate activity that will result in a normal skin, or too high sebum release, which might lead to certain abnormalities.
Because the upper body has the highest concentration of sebaceous glands, an oily face will be the first sign of an above-normal production of sebum.
Does oily face have any benefits?
Yes, to some extent it is actually beneficial. For one, an oily skin does not age easily compared to dry skin. This is due to presence of enough moisture and nutrients around the tissues, which keeps them supple. Such a surface is also more defiant to effects of too cold or too hot environments. It is also more resistant to entry of pathogens.
Moreover, people with oily bodies may incur fewer costs on their skin maintenance, that is, if no problems develop.
Disadvantages of an oily face
A too oily face has many downsides. One of these is its characteristic odor that many people find uncomfortable. Depending on the cleanliness of the individual as well as other underlying infections, this may vary from a slight whiff, to the very intense smell that makes people keep their distance.
More serious health effects of oily skin however come about due to bacterial infection. In its attempt to fend off the intruders, the skin will increase its sebaceous gland activity beyond normal, and this interferes with the elimination of dead cells from the pores. The cells mix up with the sebum, forming a thick paste that cannot easily penetrate through the small pores to the outside. Accumulation of debris leads to swelling of skin; this is how acne happens.
Folliculitis is an infection of the hair bulbs that happens due to their continued exposure to viruses, bacteria of fungi. Because pus provides an environment that encourages thriving of these pathogens, it not only triggers but also worsens Folliculitis. In addition, burst abscesses spill their content to the surrounding skin and cause new infections. This why acne related infections always get worse.
An oily skin may look undesirable due to discoloration. Scarring, which occurs when the sores heal, can get particularly grotesque if the individual squeezes pimples. Moreover, an underlying genetic condition such as keratonitis, which poses no threat under normal circumstances, gets serious with oily faces.
Treatments for oily face
Persons suffering from greasy skins can resort to short term or long-term recourses, but a combination of both will produce the best results: The individual should wash their faces two or three times per day using clean water and mild soap. Washing helps to clear the pore openings. However, the scrubbing should not be excessive; neither should one apply highly scented cleansers on their face. These will only trigger higher sebum release.
Secondly, the persons should apply recommended sunscreen or sun blockers regularly when going for outside walks. This will eliminate the need for skin to try defending itself against harmful sunrays, since you will already have catered for that.
A change in diet will also help. Foods rich in vitamin A, C and D help to regulate skin cell activities, apart from offering them photodamage protection. Vitamin E is also an antioxidant. Besides fruits and vegetables, the person should also consume more whole grains and take adequate water; they must reduce intake of alcohol, and sugary and fatty foods.
Application of fuller’s earth ,tea tree oil, honey, cucumber juice, hazel witch, milk, lime paste, aloe vera gel can also prevent excess oil production o the face.
Under certain circumstances, doctors may recommend use of certain antibiotics to manage oily skin. This you must do under strict medical supervision. If you have to use steroids, ensure that you follow your GP’s advice, else they might lead to adverse effects.
For the scarring, there are effective treatments that can get rid of scars in a matter of weeks. Before you pick a brand, ensure that you understand the possible side effects as well as the directions for application.
Skin problems can cause discomfort and lead to interfere with individual relationships. Fortunately, you can easily address the negative impacts of oily face through the methods mentioned above.