Sebaceous glands and sebum

Sebum changes during acne and one of the goals of any acne treatment is to control sebum. What is sebum? Sebum is the chemically complex oil that lubricates the skin and coats hair. Let's look at the composition of sebum. Skin surface lipids are derived from two major sources, sebaceous glands and epidermis. Distribution of sebaceous glands in different areas of the skin contribute to different composition of skin lipids in various areas. Rich areas of sebaceous glands such as forehead have a surface lipid composition very similar to sebum. Sebum is formed in sebaceous glands by decomposition of lipid-containing cells. Three major elements of human sebum are triglycerides, wax esters and squalene. Synthesis of squalene and triglycerides is characteristic of sebaceous gland activity. The triglycerides make up about 60 percent of sebum while their presence in skin surface lipids reaches to about 40 percent. Several pieces of evidence support the concept that a high level of sebum secretion from sebaceous follicles is a contributing cause of acne vulgaris.

What is sebaceous follicle? Hair follicle along with adjacent sebaceous gland are called sebaceous follicle. Sebaceous gland is a cutaneous gland that secretes sebum by releasing it into a duct which carries sebum to hair follicle. The greatest concentration of sebaceous glands, and the largest glands, are on the face and scalp. Palms and soles are the only areas of the body where sebaceous glands are not associated with hair follicles. That's why sometimes sebaceous follicles and hair follicles are used interchangeably. Sebaceous glands are scarcely active in children. Sebaceous glands are under endocrine control. Hormones such as androgens increase their secretions. Increase in sebum secretion is almost always seen in individuals with acne and control of sebum undoubtedly improves acne conditions. Many drugs used for vaious froms of acne in one way or another affect sebum. Propionibacterium acnes, the bacteria which plays major role in development of acne, changes sebum compostion by delivering free fatty acids as a by product of sebum metabolization.

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