Everyone has sebaceous glands and some people (and animals) even suffer from an overproduction of these sebaceous glands. What are the sebaceous glands good for and what can we do about any nuisance?
General
Sebaceous glands are located in the dermis and are always combined with hair. A hair can have several sebaceous glands.
The sebaceous glands release the white liquid sebum, which exits through the hair exit onto the skin and hair.
The sebaceous gland is found everywhere on the body where hair can be found and in some places we find more than an average number of sebaceous glands, such as the head (face and between scalp hair), but also around the nipples.
The amount of sebum depends on various factors. It has to do with:
- man or woman
- hereditary influences
- age
- hormone balance
- diet
- possible use of medication (vitamin A acid-like products)
Composition of the sebum is as follows:
- cholesterol (esters)
- glycerides
- wax esters
- squalenes
- lipids
Function
The germ layer on the inside of the sebaceous glands continuously produces new cells. These cells then produce sebum internally, which must be released at some point and this, together with the sweat produced, is distributed over the skin and hair. This greasy layer (sebum) makes it a kind of water-repellent layer.
Furthermore, it serves to increase resistance to germs.
Tallow through the years
It is typical that sebum decreases after the baby phase and only builds up again during puberty and yet there is no demonstrably dry skin in the intervening period. As is known, more than average androgen is produced during puberty. This stimulates the production of sebum, resulting in extra sensitivity to pimples.
The so-called Fordyce spots are the softly glowing bumps that you often encounter on the inside of the mouth. These also occur on the labia and penis. They are harmless sebaceous bumps that sometimes go away on their own and which otherwise the doctor or a dermatologist can remove. They are not contagious.
Hygiene
It is best to use a PH neutral soap. This does not stimulate production, but neither does it dry out the skin.
In women, production decreases after menopause, resulting in the skin becoming drier. As an extra, a more nutrient-rich day cream and body lotion is recommended.
Combating overactive sebaceous glands
Do not combat overactive sebum during puberty with persistent products, but clean the skin with PH neutral soap. Gels and creams containing benzoyl peroxide are usually effective, but dry out the skin enormously. Zinc supplements do not dehydrate, but do provide the desired effect. If it is serious, a doctor may prescribe an antibiotic. However, this is not recommended and will not be distributed anytime soon.
Currently, my products with retinoids are recommended. They are derived from vitamin A and although it often seems to get worse at first, in the long run they do work and sebum production will decrease.
