Is this the reason for your oily skin? Let's talk about the sebaceous glands!

Have you ever wondered why your skin, especially your face, or your hair is so oily? While it can be a bit annoying at times, it's actually the result of something that performs a very important function in our bodies. Today we're going to talk about the sebaceous glands , which are the glands that keep our skin moisturized but can also cause things like acne.

What are these sebaceous glands?

Simply put, sebaceous glands are tiny organs in your skin, like oil factories. They produce an oily secretion called sebum . This sebum acts as a protective coating on your skin and helps it retain moisture. Many of the sebaceous glands in your body are directly connected to your hair follicles, or hair follicles .

Are there different types of sebaceous glands?

Yes, there are two main types. These two differ depending on where they are located on our body:

1. Sebaceous glands connected to hair follicles: This type of gland is the most abundant in our body.

2. Sebaceous glands not connected to hair follicles: Some glands open directly onto the skin surface, such as sweat glands. These are not connected to hair follicles.

But the most important thing is that no matter what type of gland it is, it does the same thing. That is, it produces sebum and releases it into the skin.

What really happens to the sebaceous glands? Why is sebum important to us?

The main function of these glands is to produce and secrete sebum . This oily substance called sebum is made up of a combination of fat molecules (lipids). That is:

• Cholesterol
• Fatty acids
• Glycerides
• Squalene
• Things like wax.

So, why is sebum so important to our bodies?

Think of it like a natural layer of oil that we put on our skin. This protects our skin:

• Friction damage: When your clothes rub against your skin, or something rubs against your skin, your skin can be damaged. This is what sebum protects us from.
• Prevents dry skin from losing moisture and brittle hair: Sebum retains moisture in the skin and prevents the skin from drying out and hair from losing its life and breaking.
• Infections caused by bacteria or fungi: This layer of oil protects our skin from some harmful microorganisms.

In addition, did you know that sebum also contributes to our body odor to some extent?

Do these glands produce sebum throughout life?

Yes. As soon as you are born, these sebaceous glands start working, that is, they start producing sebum. But during childhood, that is, during childhood, the amount of sebum produced is very low.

So when you reach puberty, that is, when you reach a young age, these glands suddenly become very active. That's when sebum is produced in excess. That's when many people start getting acne , because the skin becomes very oily.

As we age, the production of sebum decreases to a normal level. Again, around the age of 70, the production of sebum gradually begins to decrease. That is why the skin becomes a little drier as we age.

Where are the sebaceous glands located in the body?

These glands are found in the second layer of your skin (the dermis) , near hair follicles. There are thousands of these glands all over your body. There are only two places where they are absent: the palms of your hands and the soles of your feet .

Most sebaceous glands are located on your face and scalp . The non-hair-bearing glands are usually found on your penis , labia, lips, or inside your nose.

What do these glands look like? How big are they?

Imagine holding a small coin, say a nickel, between your thumb and forefinger. Then look at the shape your fingers make. That's the rough shape of this gland. The part where the coin is is the mouth of the gland, which is the opening that releases sebum into the hair follicle. Inside this gland, there are special cells called epithelial cells that make sebum.

These glands are really tiny, they can only be seen under a microscope (Microscopic) . If you want to imagine further, look at a hair follicle on your forehead. Isn't there a little tube under the skin where the hair grows? That's what's called a hair follicle. Inside that tube is the little opening that releases sebum from this sebaceous gland.

What are the common diseases associated with the sebaceous glands?

There are several conditions that can affect the health and function of these glands. Some of them are:

• Acne : This is a very common skin condition that affects many people. Acne can appear on the face, chest, shoulders, and upper back. Although there are many reasons for acne, one of the main reasons is the blockage of the pores of the skin with sebum, which means the formation of a sebum plug .
• Hyperplasia:This is caused by the sebaceous glands becoming overactive. However, this is not a dangerous skin condition and does not cause any harm.
• Sebaceous cysts : These are like cysts that form under the skin. These cysts are filled with the oily substance called sebum that we talked about. This is because they form inside the sebaceous glands.
• Sebaceous carcinoma: This is a more serious type of skin cancer. It starts in the oil glands in the skin. This cancer usually appears as a hard, yellow lump on the eyelid.
• Sebaceous filaments: This is caused by excessive sebum production, which causes the pores of the skin to become enlarged and filled with sebum and dead skin cells . These form around the hair follicle. They look like blackheads .

What are the symptoms of sebaceous gland diseases?

Most of the time, healthy sebaceous glands do not show any symptoms. However, if a condition develops, the symptoms may vary depending on the condition. Some common symptoms include:

• Acne on the skin.
• A red or purple bump on the skin.
• A lump or bump under the skin that is hard and moves when touched.
• Enlarged skin pores that appear to be filled with a hard, black substance.
• The appearance of white pus-filled blisters (pustules) or small fluid-filled blisters where hair follicles grow.
• Oily, greasy feeling on the skin or hair.

What tests are done to see if my sebaceous glands are healthy?

Your doctor can diagnose these glandular conditions just by looking at your skin. However, sometimes, they may also order additional tests to rule out other conditions with similar symptoms or to confirm the diagnosis. These tests include:

• Skin biopsy: This involves taking a small sample of your skin and examining it under a microscope.
• Pathology examination: If you have something like a tumor and it is removed, the removed tumor will be looked at under a microscope.
• Imaging tests like ultrasound or CT scan to look under the skin.

What are the treatments for diseases related to the sebaceous glands?

Treatment methods vary depending on the condition. Some of the commonly used treatments are:

• If there is a cyst or cancer, it is removed through surgery .
• Using medication (oral or topical) to get rid of acne.
• Laser therapy or light therapy uses bright light rays to restore damaged skin.
• Cryotherapy: This is a method of removing spots or small bumps on the skin by freezing them with extreme cold (like ice) and drying them out.

How can I keep my sebaceous glands healthy?

You can do these things to keep your sebaceous glands healthy and prevent hair follicles and glands from becoming clogged with sebum:

• Use a gentle cleanser that suits your skin daily.
• Use skin care products that contain salicylic acid (these help control oiliness).
• Apply moisturizer to your skin daily. (Yes, there are moisturizers that are suitable for oily skin too!)
• When going out, especially in the sun, be sure to use sunscreen .

Also, drinking enough water throughout the day will help keep your sebaceous glands healthy.

Important: Remember, if you notice anything unusual on your skin, such as an increase in acne or a new lump, it's best to seek medical advice.

What is the difference between sebaceous glands and sweat glands?

Both of these types of glands are important organs that protect our skin from drying out. But there are differences:

• Sebaceous glands produce an oily secretion called sebum . Sweat glands produce a watery secretion called sweat .
• Sweat glands have ducts , which means they have separate pathways to bring sweat to the skin's surface. Sebaceous glands release sebum through hair follicles, which do not have separate ducts.

Are the glands in my breasts also sebaceous glands?

No. Your breasts have mammary glands . The function of the mammary glands is to produce milk (Lactation) .

Do retinoids shrink sebaceous glands?

Retinoids , such as Tretinoin (brand name Retin-A®) , are chemicals derived from vitamin A. They are found in skin care medications used to treat a number of skin conditions, including acne.

Studies have shown that using retinoids reduces the size of your skin's pores . However, they do not reduce the size of your sebaceous glands. However, retinoids do reduce the amount of sebum produced by your sebaceous glands.

Finally, things to remember (Take-Home Message)

So, now you know how important these sebaceous glands are for our skin, keeping it moisturized. Sometimes, even though your hair or face is a bit oily and annoying, it means that your glands are working properly.

The most important thing is to follow good skin care habits every day. That means keeping your skin clean, using the right products, and drinking plenty of water. These can help keep your sebaceous glands healthy and reduce problems like acne caused by excess sebum. Take care of your skin, because healthy skin is another reason to be happy!

` Sebaceous Glands, Sebum, Skin Oil, Acne, Skin Health