NIC Esthetician Written ExamScientific ConceptsEasy
A client presents with extremely oily skin, large pores, and frequent breakouts, including comedones and pustules. This skin type is primarily characterized by the overproduction of sebum from which type of gland in the dermis?
- AEccrine glands
- BMammary glands
- CApocrine glands
- DSebaceous glands
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Sebaceous glands
Sebaceous glands are exocrine glands in the dermis that produce and secrete sebum, an oily substance. Overproduction of sebum leads to oily skin, large pores, and contributes to acne conditions like comedones and pustules.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Eccrine glands are the most common type of sweat gland, producing watery sweat for thermoregulation, not sebum.
- B. Mammary glands are specialized glands in the breast that produce milk, unrelated to skin oil production.
- C. Apocrine glands are a type of sweat gland found in specific areas (armpits, groin) that produce a thicker sweat, not sebum.
Sebaceous Glands
Exocrine glands in the dermis that produce and secrete sebum, an oily substance that lubricates skin and hair.
- Produce sebum
- Associated with hair follicles
- Contribute to oily skin and acne
Memory trick: Sebaceous glands make the skin 'grease' for the face.