Have you ever heard of a creature called a "acne mite"? When you hear the word tick, many people think of common ticks and feel scary and uncomfortable. However, in fact, acne mites are organisms that have coexisted and prospered with humans since ancient times. It's not a pest.

In this article, we will summarize and explain the basic information of acne mites and their effects on humans. We will also introduce when acne mites have a negative effect on the skin, as well as how to deal with and prevent them.

What is a acne mite?

Acne mites are tiny mites that live in the hair follicles and sebaceous glands of the face. Often found on the nose and cheeks, more than 90% of people live with acne mites.

I never thought that mites live on my skin ... You'll be surprised, won't you? Many people will want to get rid of it.

However, acne mites have completely different properties from ticks, and it has been medically and biologically known that it is okay not to get rid of them. First of all, let's compare and explain the pests of ticks and acne mites.

What is the difference between ticks and acne mites?

First of all, adult ticks, which can be said to be representative of ticks, are as large as 3~8mm in length and can be seen with the naked eye. After sucking blood, it grows to 10~20mm. However, acne mites are around 0.3 mm long. It is a size that is impossible to see with the naked eye.

It's about the size of a more familiar leopard mite lurking in a house. In addition, although it is clear that ticks are blood-sucking and leopard mites are prone to allergic reactions, acne mites basically do not harm humans directly or indirectly.

Coexistence and co-prosperity with acne mites

Even though acne mites are basically harmless, mites are mites. People tend to think that acne mites are parasites if they just live on the skin.

Acne mites are indeed mites, but they are not parasitic in any way. Let's take a look at the effects they have by living on human skin and hair follicles.

Consequences of acne mites

In the first place, doesn't the name acne mite cause acne? But that's a big misconception.

The reason why acne mites live on human skin is because they have something to eat. They live mainly on sebum. Due to the action of acne mites, the sebum of the skin can be kept in a moderate balance.

In other words, coexistence with acne mites has the effect of removing excess sebum from the skin, and they are beneficial insects. If there is excess sebum, it can cause skin problems such as stickiness, open pores, and acne, so it is safe to assume that acne mites maintain the security of the skin.

When acne mites can be harmful

So, is it okay to leave it to acne mites because they maintain public order?

The answer is NO.
They are beneficial to the skin only because the number of individuals is appropriate, so if the number of individuals increases too much, it will start to have a negative effect on the skin.

Types of skin problems caused by acne mites

There are three main skin problems caused by acne mites: acne, dry skin, and rough skin. Life such as excretion and diet of acne mites can be stressful for the skin if the number of individuals increases.

Skin problems caused by acne mites are caused by excessive sebum reduction and poor hygiene due to carcasses and shedding shells. It is important to be careful not to overgrow acne mites.

How to identify skin problems caused by acne mites

There are a wide variety of causes of skin problems such as acne, dry skin, and rough skin. By no means all of them are caused by acne mites.

So, how do you know if your skin problems are caused by acne mites?

The surest way is to see a dermatologist. As explained at the beginning, acne mites are creatures of a size that cannot be seen with the naked eye. Without specialized equipment such as a microscope, it is impossible to check and discriminate. If skin problems persist, seek the opinion of a specialist.

How not to increase the number of acne mites too much

If you have skin problems caused by acne mites or are worried, you don't know what to do to prevent too many acne mites.

There are four things that are necessary to maintain the appropriate number of acne mites: "life rhythm and eating habits", "correct skin care", "proper management of makeup tools", and "keeping bedding clean". I will explain each of them in detail.

Life rhythm and eating habits

First of all, if you tend to sleep deprived, stay up late, or have disordered eating habits.

Since sebum tends to increase due to disturbances in life rhythm and eating habits, acne mites multiply excessively when "food is abundant". Let's improve as much as possible, such as nutritional balance and ensuring sleep.

Correct skin care

Even if it is said that it is correct skin care, each person has different skin types and characteristics. Even so, what they have in common is that "washing your face with water" and "forgetting to remove makeup" are not good.

In fact, acne mites also feed on grease stains from makeup that they fail to remove. Also, if you only wash your face with water and do not take care of your moisturizing system, dry skin will secrete too much sebum and increase the food for acne mites.

Be aware that dry skin produces sebum, which is eaten by acne mites, which can lead to a vicious cycle of dry skin.

Take proper care of your makeup tools

The third is to stay away from the skin and manage makeup tools.

Even if it is not direct skin care, makeup tools are frequently in direct contact with the skin. Brushes, puffs, and tips should be washed with a cleaning solution at least once a month.

Recently, there are many items on sale at Baekhyun that are convenient for cleaning makeup tools, such as brush stands and brush washers, so please take advantage of them.

Keep your bedding clean

Like makeup tools, bedding should be in direct contact with the skin for a long time. It is important to keep pillowcases, duvet covers, and the main body clean at all times by washing and drying them.

Also, for those who find it difficult to wash and dry frequently, it is recommended to use a vacuum cleaner or an antibacterial / disinfectant spray.

Summary: It is best to coexist with acne mites in an appropriate relationship

Acne mites live in the hair follicles on human skin and are creatures that have lived in symbiosis and co-prosperity since ancient times. Unlike common mites such as ticks and leopard mites, they are basically harmless mites, and they are beneficial insects that balance sebum with proper skin care.

Acne mites are beneficial insects if the number is appropriate, but if they increase too much, they can cause skin problems.

The four points of "life rhythm and eating habits", "correct skin care", "proper management of makeup tools", and "keeping bedding clean" are the key points for living with acne mites.

In particular, dry skin and excessive secretion of sebum lead to excessive reproduction of acne mites. And the proliferated acne mites eat sebum, and also on dry skin ... It can create a vicious cycle, so please pay attention to the four points on a daily basis.

Don't hate the name of a tick alone, but let's live in harmony in an environment that is appropriate for each other.