Seborrhea is a phenomenon that mostly affects the “T-zone” of the face and the scalp. This phenomenon is a common condition concerning men and women with some physical (oily skin, shiny aspect of the skin, feeling of discomfort…) and social repercussions, affecting self-esteem and the wellbeing of people concerned.
Sebaceous secretion is, above all, androgen-dependant and varies during life. Weak until 10 years of age, it increases during puberty under action of androgens. It reaches its maximum between 12 and 30 years, then begins to diminish progressively until old age. However, under effect of environmental factors, seborrhea can continue after the age of 30. Indeed, heat, psychological stress, hormone disorders but also consumption of dietary fat or carbohydrate tends to increase sebum production.1 Sebum is composed primarily of lipids (triglycerides, waxes, squalene and sterols) and also of mature, burst sebaceous cells. Triglycerides are the most abundant constituents of sebum. Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is the androgen that shows the strongest interaction with the androgen receptors of sebocytes. Converted from the testosterone by 5?-reductase, this enzyme plays a predominant role in the seborrhea.
Complications of seborrhea
Acne
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