The hair is an important part of the human body. In more primitive times, its major role was to provide protection. Today however, the hair also plays an important role in creating physical appeal among both men and women. This is why losing one’s hair could be a source of frustration. Hair loss usually happens when hair follicles die or are damaged.

Follicle Structure

It is easier to understand hair loss by understanding hair follicles first. These are the structures in the skin that make hair growth possible. A full set of follicles are usually present as early as the fifth to sixth month of life. From this period on, hair follicles begin to mature and grow hair.

A follicle is not a mere container for hair. At its bottom is found papilla which is responsible for nourishing the hair. Connected to the papilla is the bulb which is where hair growth begins. At the sides of hair follicles are double sheaths. The external sheath is linked to sebaceous glands.

The sebaceous glands that are part of the hair follicle structure produce sebum. This substance is made up of fats and is released through the hair shaft and out into the skin. Sebum is what makes the skin and hair oily. This natural oil provides waterproofing, protection and moisture to the hair and skin. Connected to these glands is the erector pili which can make the hair stand out straight.

Hair Follicle

Follicles and Hair Loss

Under normal circumstances, hair follicles and hair follow a hair cycle. The growing phase is known as anagen while the resting phase is called telogen. At any point in time, there will always be at least 10% of hair in the telogen phase while the rest are in anagen or in the brief transition phase between anagen and telogen. After the resting phase, some of the hair is shed. New hair is supposed to grow from the vacated hair follicles.

Among some individuals, the hair does not grow back. A substance in the sebaceous glands known as 5-alpha reductase transforms the hormone testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT) which shrinks the hair follicles, making hair loss possible.

Both men and women suffer from hair loss. Men however tend to experience complete baldness over an area. Women on the other hand experience a more diffuse type of balding. Both types of balding however are linked to hormonal causes.

Treating Hair Loss

Since DHT and 5-alpha reductase are the main culprits to hair loss, one possible solution is to block these substances. Some lab generated and natural substances are believed to have the ability to spare hair follicles from the effects of DHT. Some synthetically produced substances have been approved for market distribution. Natural solutions however require more extensive studies to validate their DHT blocking effects.

Although both men and women suffer from similar hair loss conditions, it is not advisable for women to take solutions intended for male use. This is because certain chemicals may produce negative hormonal effects among women.

Keeping Your Skin Healthy with Sebum

Under the right circumstances, a human being will feel and look like a moderately oiled machine. We have sebum to thank for that. Contrary to what some may think, there is nothing bad about moderately oily skin at all.

Sebum is Important to Healthy Skin

The Sebaceous Glands

The oil on the surface of our skins is a result of the work of sebaceous glands. These glands are located in the skin and are connected to hair follicles or ducts. They are found in nearly every part of the body except the palms and soles. When these glands are working properly, they produce sebum which they release through the pores. The substance is primarily composed of fats. Once on the skin or follicle shaft however, they may mix with dirt and bacteria.

Benefits of the Substance

A lot of people may complain about having oily skin. The sebum however that is the cause of it is really beneficial to the body. It is this substance that moisturizes the skin by itself and by preventing the loss of too much water. At the same time, it provides some waterproofing protection to the skin. The substance is also believed to play a role in the immune system by preventing infection. In the eyes, sebum plays another important role. It mixes with tears to ensure sufficient moisture to the eyes.

In infants, the important role of sebum is made even more apparent. This substance coats the fetus inside the mother’s womb so that its skin doesn’t get too wrinkled due to the fluids in the womb.

Too Much Production

In some cases, there can be too much sebum produced in the sebaceous glands. One of the major reasons for over production is an increase in hormonal activity. Since this usually happens during adolescence, teens are usually the ones who have to deal with too much sebum. Usually, over production simply leads to the appearance of acne. The acne condition may disappear on its own during early adulthood. Severe cases of acne may have to be treated with topical products.

Aside from acne, another possible consequence of too much sebum is bad odor. The substance itself has no natural odor of its own. When it mixes with bacteria in the skin however, it may produce an odor that has varying degrees of smell among various individuals.

Sometimes, too much sebum can lead to other conditions that may or may not be serious. Over production of the substance has been linked to such conditions as rosacea, seborrhea, sebaceous cyst, sebaceous hyperplasia, keratosis pilaris and sebaceous prominence.

Treating the Skin

Many conditions involving the sebaceous glands and sebum are nothing to worry about. Sometimes there is nothing better than simply maintaining basic skin hygiene, eating healthy food and staying away from harsh treatments. Do remember though that there are also some conditions that could potentially be dangerous such as sebaceous gland carcinoma and nevus sebaceous. If suspicious growths appear on your skin and you do not know what they are, you had better see a skin specialist.

What are Sebaceous Gland Disorders?

It isn’t common for people to think about sebaceous gland disorders. Then again, you could already be a victim of a disorder of this gland and not know it. What exactly are the disorders linked to this gland?

Acne

Acne vulgaris is perhaps the most common skin condition linked to the sebaceous gland. Acne develops when the glands underneath the skin produce too much sebum which mixes with dirt and bacteria. The mixture clogs the pores and leads to the formation of blackheads, whiteheads and pustules that are all part of an acne condition. Teens often suffer from acne more than adults because of increased amounts of testosterone in their systems. Unfortunately, one may not be able to stop a sebaceous gland from producing too much sebum until after hormone levels have naturally stabilized.

Keratosis Pilaris

This is often considered mainly as a skin condition. The sebaceous gland however has been linked to the condition simply because it does occur on the skin and may involve hair follicles which are connected to sebaceous glands. Keratosis pilaris is more popularly known as goosebumps and forms when keratin builds up on pores through which sebum produced by sebaceous glands normally exit. Although this skin condition may result in a little itchiness and irritation, it is not a lethal or life threatening condition.

Seborrhea

This condition is characterized by reddish and flaky skin on the face and scalp. The condition is often considered hereditary but its real causes are undetermined. One theory suggests that yeast which finds its way into sebaceous gland sections promote the over production of sebum which results in this skin condition.

Seborrhoeic Dermatitis

Sebaceous Hyperplasia

Like acne, this condition is marked by the inflammation of a sebaceous gland. In some cases, it may easily be mistaken for acne. The difference though is that this condition is more severe than acne and does not heal even when aggressive topical acne treatment is used. The papules may appear close to each other and may even maintain the shape of cauliflowers. Reddish skin flaking that is typical of seborrhea may also be present.

Sebaceous Gland Carcinoma

This condition can simply be rephrased as cancer of the sebaceous glands. Like other forms of cancer, abnormal cells will begin to multiply at a fast rate and will invade surrounding healthy sebaceous cells.

Sebaceous Cyst

A cyst that originates from the sebaceous gland is not a malignant growth. It is formed when keratin cells multiply in a closed sac underneath the skin. The sac itself is soft and will move around the area where it is located when it is prodded. This sebaceous gland condition will eventually disappear after some time. In cases, where an abscess forms, the contents of the sac will come out as smelly yellowish fluid.

These are only some of the basic sebaceous gland conditions that you should know about. Although some of them may be generally harmless, you should still consider seeing a doctor especially if you suspect that a skin lump or growth does not disappear after some time.

Not everyone knows about the sebaceous gland. If, however, you have had pimples, you should know what the role of these glands is in pimple formation. Knowing a little bit about these glands will help you understand the nature of pimples.

Pimple Formation

Sebaceous glands are located underneath the skin and are linked to hair follicles and ducts. The glands are responsible for manufacturing an oily substance known as sebum. This substance is released onto the skin through the hair follicles or ducts. Sebum is what makes the skin and hair moisturized and smooth. There are several factors though that promote the production of too much sebum.

Acne and the Sebaceous Gland

One factor that makes sebaceous glands produce more sebum is hormonal activity. An increase in testosterone levels increases sebum production. A consequence of over production is that the pores could get clogged. Sebum could combine with dirt and bacteria resulting in the reddish swelling and inflammation that typically characterizes pimples.

Teens and Pimples

If you consider the explanation given above, it seems pretty obvious why pimple outbreaks are more common among teens. Adolescents tend to have more active sebaceous glands because they are in the stage of life where testosterone levels are higher. In some cases though, pimple outbreaks that emerge during puberty go away in the first few years of early adulthood. Of course, some adults continue to occasionally have a few pimple outbreaks.

It also seems apparent that overactive sebaceous glands during puberty are not necessarily something to fret about. While pimples can blemish a teen’s appearance and even lower the self-esteem, they may not require aggressive treatment unless determined by a dermatologist. Always remember that sebaceous glands play an important role in skin and hair health. Treating the skin aggressively to prevent or deal with pimples could lead to dry and unhealthy skin and hair.

Acne Treatment

Severe cases of acne may really require medication or even a clinical procedure. These however should only be considered when mild treatment options have no effect on pimples or appear to make pimples much worse.

If the pimple outbreak is not too severe, you can simply settle for washing your face with lukewarm water and mild soap. This is the best way to treat your sebaceous glands. Basic skin hygiene as a form of pimple treatment will ensure that your skin stays properly moisturized.

Food and Pimples

It has been determined in the past that the link between food and pimple outbreaks is a myth. It is also true though that some foods are factors that increase the activity of sebaceous glands. Food with too much oil for example can speed up the production of sebum. You may therefore have to avoid fatty and oily foods if you have a bad case of acne.

A Pimples appearance has a lot to do with the sebaceous glands. This however, doesn’t make the glands evil. They are crucial for skin health so you should treat your pimple condition in the mildest method possible.

Sebaceous glands are sebum-producing sections of the skin. They are commonly found in the skin itself connected to the hair follicles. The glands release sebum that is released through the hair shaft and into the skin. Other parts of the skin that do not have hair can also hold these glands. Where hair follicles are absent, sebum is released through ducts and pores. Some parts of the body do not contain these sebaceous glands. These include the palms of the hand and the soles of the feet.

Sebaceous Gland and Sebum

The sebum released by the sebaceous glands is often simply called skin oil. The composition of sebum however is not limited to oil. Sebum also contains waste skin cells or debris. These glands and the sebum that they produce therefore play important roles. Aside from ensuring the elimination of dead skin cells, they also make sure that the skin and hair are sufficiently lubricated. Without enough sebum, the skin could become dry and rough and hair could become dry and brittle. Every person needs these sebaceous glands for healthy skin and hair.

Acne Problems

Sometimes the problem with sebaceous glands is insufficient sebum production. There are times when the problem is too much sebum production. There are a couple of possible reasons for excess sebum production. One may eat meals that are too rich in fats. At other times, the production of excess sebum may be the result of hormonal activity. Teens who experience increased hormonal activity are among those who experience excess sebum production.

At the very least, too much sebum may simply lead to very oily skin and hair. It is also believed though that too much sebum could be a factor in the development of acne. This explains why teens normally have oily skins and acne.

Acne doesn’t just develop due to overactive sebaceous glands. Pimples form because the pores or openings that are supposed to be the drainage areas for sebum are blocked. Sebum therefore accumulates underneath the skin. Additional bacterial action begins which results in the inflammation of the skin.

Taking Care of the Skin

There are no specific guidelines for the care of sebaceous glands. There are however a lot of basic tips for skin care. Since these glands are linked to the skin, it makes sense to practice proper skin care.

The important thing to remember about the skin is that oily skin isn’t necessarily bad. Sebum is what gives moisture and glow to the skin and hair. At the same time though, skin that is too oily should not be left alone. The combination of oil and dirt that could carry bacteria is a bad mix.

If you want to make sure that your skin has just the right amount of sebum, all you need to do is to check your diet and to practice proper skin hygiene. Cut your fat intake and wash your skin with water and mild soap.