How pimples form

痘痘是怎么形成的

Acne is one of the most common inflammatory skin conditions in adolescents. More than 80 percent of teenagers battle with pimples. It can also occur later in life for a number of reasons, including an imbalance of hormones called androgens.

痘痘是青少年最常见的一种皮肤炎症。超过80%的青少年都被痘痘困扰。人在成年后也会长痘痘，原因是多方面的，包括体内雄激素分泌失调。

At the moment, we need more research to fully understand the causes of acne. Oil glands (sebaceous glands), located in the skin at the base of the hair follicle, excrete oil (sebum) to lubricate the surface of the skin and hair. All parts of the body contain sebaceous glands, except the palms and soles of the feet.

眼下，我们需要更多研究来充分理解痘痘的成因。皮肤毛囊底部的皮脂腺分泌出油脂来润滑皮肤和头发表面。身体的所有部位都分布有皮脂腺，手掌和脚底除外。

Acne was previously thought to come from lack of normal shedding of the skin cells that line the sebaceous (oil gland) follicle. This was thought to lead to thickened skin and the formation of small comedones (black and white heads).

原先认为痘痘源于毛囊皮脂腺周围的皮肤细胞未能正常脱落。这会导致皮肤增厚，形成黑头和白头（粉刺）。

But there has been a shift in this thinking in recent years. Acne is now viewed primarily as an inflammatory skin disorder.

但近些年来这种观念已经有所变化。现在认为，痘痘的主要成因是皮肤炎症。

Why you shouldn't squeeze

为什么不该挤痘痘

A pimple is like a little bag under the skin that contains oil, bacteria, and inflammation. Squeezing it can result in these contents being pushed into surrounding skin, making the problem worse. It can also lead to infection and temporary darkening of the skin in that area.

一颗痘痘就像皮下含有油脂、细菌和炎症的小袋子。挤痘痘会导致这些内容物被挤进周边的皮肤，让问题恶化。它还可能导致感染和该区域皮肤暂时性暗沉。

On top of this, the inflammation can become so bad that scarring is left behind when the pimple finally settles down. And scarring (unlike the pimple) can be permanent.

除此以外，如果炎症很严重，在痘痘沉淀下来后，还会留下疤痕。而这种疤痕和痘痘不同，疤痕是永久性的。

If you resist the urge to squeeze, pimples will usually resolve over a week or so without scarring. The "white" contents will also settle down or spontaneously pop when ready.

如果你忍住不挤痘痘，痘痘通常会在一周左右的时间内消退，而且不会留下疤痕。“白色的”内容物在成熟的时候会沉淀下来或自动爆出。

If large pimples require urgent treatment, a dermatologist can get rid of the contents of a pimple safely. They may also give it an injection that decreases inflammation in the pimple in a day or so.

如果有大痘痘需要紧急处理，皮肤科医生可以安全地去除痘痘的内容物。一天后他们可能还会给皮肤打一针来减少痘痘红肿。

If pimples are something you battle with even on a monthly basis, it is advisable to see a dermatologist to find out what can be done to control the flares.

如果你每个月都要和痘痘作斗争，建议你去看皮肤科医生，制定控痘方案。

How to prevent pimples

如何预防痘痘

If you want to avoid pimples, here are some ways you can have healthier and clearer skin:

如果你想避免长痘，你可以尝试以下这些方法，帮你拥有健康光洁的皮肤。

Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet low in sugar. This includes nuts, legumes, fish, red meat, fruits, and vegetables. A number of well-conducted trials support the benefits of a diet with a low glycemic load for patients who have acne. Some studies suggest a higher risk of acne with frequent milk consumption, but more research is needed before dietary recommendations can be made. It's advisable to keep a diary to see if any of these foods directly aggravate acne and avoid them if this is the case.

吃低糖、健康的平衡膳食。这种膳食包括坚果、豆类、鱼类、红肉、水果和蔬菜。经过严格实施的多个试验表明，痘痘患者吃低糖膳食有好处。一些研究显示，痘痘高发和经常喝奶有关，但仍需更多研究才能给出这方面的膳食建议。最好坚持记日记，看自己摄入的食物是否直接加剧痘痘问题，如果是的话就避免吃这些食物。

Avoid excessive scrubbing, cleansing, and exfoliating. Acne doesn't happen due to accumulation of dirt and grime on the skin and can't simply be washed away. Using many products can increase skin irritation and dryness and compound the problem.

避免过多的摩擦、清洁和去角质。痘痘不是因为尘垢在皮肤上积聚而产生的，而且光用水也洗不掉。用太多产品会增加对皮肤的刺激，让皮肤更干，加剧痘痘问题。

Choose oil-free cleansers, moisturisers, and sunscreen (these are usually labelled "non-comedogenic" on packaging).

选择无油洗面奶、润肤乳和防晒霜（这些产品包装上通常贴着控痘标签）。

Choose silicone-based hair products rather than greasy ones. Greasy hair products can make more oil and grease accumulate on the skin, which will make acne worse.

选择含硅洗发产品而不是滋润洗发产品。滋润洗发产品会让皮肤产生更多油脂并让油脂在皮肤上积聚，而这会让痘痘更糟。

And if you do get pimples, try to resist the urge to squeeze!

如果你还是长了痘，千万克制住想挤爆它的冲动！

How pimples form

痘痘是怎么形成的

Acne is one of the most common inflammatory skin conditions in adolescents. More than 80 percent of teenagers battle with pimples. It can also occur later in life for a number of reasons, including an imbalance of hormones called androgens.

痘痘是青少年最常见的一种皮肤炎症。超过80%的青少年都被痘痘困扰。人在成年后也会长痘痘，原因是多方面的，包括体内雄激素分泌失调。

At the moment, we need more research to fully understand the causes of acne. Oil glands (sebaceous glands), located in the skin at the base of the hair follicle, excrete oil (sebum) to lubricate the surface of the skin and hair. All parts of the body contain sebaceous glands, except the palms and soles of the feet.

眼下，我们需要更多研究来充分理解痘痘的成因。皮肤毛囊底部的皮脂腺分泌出油脂来润滑皮肤和头发表面。身体的所有部位都分布有皮脂腺，手掌和脚底除外。

Acne was previously thought to come from lack of normal shedding of the skin cells that line the sebaceous (oil gland) follicle. This was thought to lead to thickened skin and the formation of small comedones (black and white heads).

原先认为痘痘源于毛囊皮脂腺周围的皮肤细胞未能正常脱落。这会导致皮肤增厚，形成黑头和白头（粉刺）。

But there has been a shift in this thinking in recent years. Acne is now viewed primarily as an inflammatory skin disorder.

但近些年来这种观念已经有所变化。现在认为，痘痘的主要成因是皮肤炎症。

Why you shouldn't squeeze

为什么不该挤痘痘

A pimple is like a little bag under the skin that contains oil, bacteria, and inflammation. Squeezing it can result in these contents being pushed into surrounding skin, making the problem worse. It can also lead to infection and temporary darkening of the skin in that area.

一颗痘痘就像皮下含有油脂、细菌和炎症的小袋子。挤痘痘会导致这些内容物被挤进周边的皮肤，让问题恶化。它还可能导致感染和该区域皮肤暂时性暗沉。

On top of this, the inflammation can become so bad that scarring is left behind when the pimple finally settles down. And scarring (unlike the pimple) can be permanent.

除此以外，如果炎症很严重，在痘痘沉淀下来后，还会留下疤痕。而这种疤痕和痘痘不同，疤痕是永久性的。

If you resist the urge to squeeze, pimples will usually resolve over a week or so without scarring. The "white" contents will also settle down or spontaneously pop when ready.

如果你忍住不挤痘痘，痘痘通常会在一周左右的时间内消退，而且不会留下疤痕。“白色的”内容物在成熟的时候会沉淀下来或自动爆出。

If large pimples require urgent treatment, a dermatologist can get rid of the contents of a pimple safely. They may also give it an injection that decreases inflammation in the pimple in a day or so.

如果有大痘痘需要紧急处理，皮肤科医生可以安全地去除痘痘的内容物。一天后他们可能还会给皮肤打一针来减少痘痘红肿。

If pimples are something you battle with even on a monthly basis, it is advisable to see a dermatologist to find out what can be done to control the flares.

如果你每个月都要和痘痘作斗争，建议你去看皮肤科医生，制定控痘方案。

How to prevent pimples

如何预防痘痘

If you want to avoid pimples, here are some ways you can have healthier and clearer skin:

如果你想避免长痘，你可以尝试以下这些方法，帮你拥有健康光洁的皮肤。

Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet low in sugar. This includes nuts, legumes, fish, red meat, fruits, and vegetables. A number of well-conducted trials support the benefits of a diet with a low glycemic load for patients who have acne. Some studies suggest a higher risk of acne with frequent milk consumption, but more research is needed before dietary recommendations can be made. It's advisable to keep a diary to see if any of these foods directly aggravate acne and avoid them if this is the case.

吃低糖、健康的平衡膳食。这种膳食包括坚果、豆类、鱼类、红肉、水果和蔬菜。经过严格实施的多个试验表明，痘痘患者吃低糖膳食有好处。一些研究显示，痘痘高发和经常喝奶有关，但仍需更多研究才能给出这方面的膳食建议。最好坚持记日记，看自己摄入的食物是否直接加剧痘痘问题，如果是的话就避免吃这些食物。

Avoid excessive scrubbing, cleansing, and exfoliating. Acne doesn't happen due to accumulation of dirt and grime on the skin and can't simply be washed away. Using many products can increase skin irritation and dryness and compound the problem.

避免过多的摩擦、清洁和去角质。痘痘不是因为尘垢在皮肤上积聚而产生的，而且光用水也洗不掉。用太多产品会增加对皮肤的刺激，让皮肤更干，加剧痘痘问题。

Choose oil-free cleansers, moisturisers, and sunscreen (these are usually labelled "non-comedogenic" on packaging).

选择无油洗面奶、润肤乳和防晒霜（这些产品包装上通常贴着控痘标签）。

Choose silicone-based hair products rather than greasy ones. Greasy hair products can make more oil and grease accumulate on the skin, which will make acne worse.

选择含硅洗发产品而不是滋润洗发产品。滋润洗发产品会让皮肤产生更多油脂并让油脂在皮肤上积聚，而这会让痘痘更糟。

And if you do get pimples, try to resist the urge to squeeze!

如果你还是长了痘，千万克制住想挤爆它的冲动！