Smoking and drinking were found to be associated with adolescent acne, while no association was found between diet and acne. These results suggest that the prevalence of acne in the Chinese population is lower than that in Caucasian populations, and that adult acne is not uncommon in Chinese subjects.
Acne in Ethnic Skin Types
Research indicates that acne is among the top three skin concerns in African Americans and those of Latino and Asian backgrounds. 1 Although patients of color are not necessarily more prone to acne than fair-skinned individuals, the residual effects are often much more severe in darker skin.
Asian skin produces more oil due to the warmer climates of the regions. As a result, Asians are more vulnerable than others to acne outbreaks. In most cases, the breakouts are keloids, hardened bumps. Unfortunately, without treatment, this can lead to acne scarring.
Acne and specifically inflammatory acne is a common affliction for those of Asian ethnicity. Asian skin has an increased amount of melanin (the pigment in skin) compared to white or caucasian skin. Skin cells producing melanin tend to be more sensitive to any type of inflammation or injury.
The prevalence of acne was greatest in countries with a high sociodemographic index (SDI), particularly Western Europe, East Asia, and high-income areas of the Asia Pacific.
Up to 85 per cent of Australians will develop acne during their life, with approximately 5 per cent experiencing severe acne. Nearly half of men and women continue to experience acne into their thirties. Severe acne can be painful, distressing and embarrassing – affecting relationships and a person's sense of self.
Due to Asian countries having a generally warm climate, Asian skin naturally produces more oil, which leaves individuals of Asian descent more susceptible to acne outbreaks as opposed to Caucasians.
Generally, in Chinese Medicine, acne is seen as a build-up of heat and toxicity that causes skin inflammation, and it can also be due to poor circulation. However, different types of acne can signify specific imbalances and go hand in hand with symptoms like PMS and digestive issues.
Acne is a common problem for Japanese teenagers and causes personal and social difficulties.
Asians in general have more melanin and more numerous melanocytes in the skin compared to Caucasian skin. Even fair-skinned Asians have more melanocytes than most Caucasians. These pigment-producing cells or melanocytes in Asians tend to be more sensitive to ultraviolet light (UV), such as the sun and tanning booths.
Are some people more likely to get acne? Nearly everyone develops at least a few breakouts during the teenage years. It's impossible to predict who will develop more severe acne, but you have a higher risk if one or both of your parents (or other close blood relative) had severe acne that left them with acne scars.
Due to Vietnam having a generally warm climate, our skin naturally produces more oil, which leaves Vietnamese and other southeast Asians more susceptible to acne outbreaks.
67 percent of the participants said they would feel ashamed if they had acne. 67 percent would find someone unattractive if they had acne. 41 percent did not want to be seen in public with someone with acne. 44 percent felt uncomfortable touching someone with acne.
Comparing lipid in hair samples it has been shown that black subjects have 60–70% more lipid in their hair compared with white subjects. Black subjects also have bigger sebaceous glands which contribute to the increased sebum secretion. Consistent with these reports, studies from Hillebrand et al.
The Japanese follow a diet that is very low on red meat, fried foods, sugar and salt, which can cause inflammation [3] leading to redness and puffy skin. With a focus on raw vegetables and fish, rice and green tea, they ensure the foods they eat also assist in creating younger looking skin.
Eat a Balanced Diet
Jan says that in Japan, it is believed that the first step to beautiful skin is what you put inside your body. "The Japanese diet is full of vegetables and fish, and extremely low in meat and sugary foods," he says. "Japanese women also believe green tea is a source of clear, beautiful skin." Dr.
While a common myth claims that acne is caused by poor hygiene, we're here to firmly debunk this eye-roll inducing rumor. Even though acne can be painful and unrelenting for some, it isn't something to be ashamed of, and doesn't make anyone less beautiful.
Chinese Medicine usually associates acne with imbalances in the ZF organs potentially leading to hormonal issues or toxin buildup (learn more about ZF organs). These imbalances are thought to be caused by several factors, most commonly poor diet, overworking, stress, congenital conditions, lifestyle and digestion.
Hormones are typically responsible for stimulating the production of extra oil on the chin, which can trap skin cells or dirt and bacteria, which causes pimples to form.
If you're breaking out on your forehead
According to TCM, the forehead is said to be linked to the digestive system, so breakouts in the area might be related to digestive imbalances.
Acne vulgaris is a common skin disease affecting approximately 9.4% of the world's population with the highest prevalence in adolescents. It affects over 90% of males and 80% of females in all ethnic groups (1, 2).
Traditionally, Asians have been thought to age more gracefully than Caucasians. The resistance to aging in the Asian patient was credited to the thicker dermis of Asian skin that contains greater collagen and the darker pigment that protects against photoaging.
It usually develops at the age of 13 and tends to peak at age 17 although it can persist into the twenties. Girls develop acne at an earlier age than boys, usually between the ages of 13 and 17. Their acne will usually start to improve after the age of 17.