What Causes Acne ?

 

The exact causes of acne are not yet perfectly understood. In order to gain a better appreciation of how to reduce and prevent the symptoms of acne, we need to look at a number of related underlying factors that contribute to the development of the condition. Some of the factors believed by acne experts to be involved with contributing to pimples include:

hormonal changes and imbalances. A group of hormones called androgens (male sex hormones) are key factors in the development of acne. Androgen levels increase in both males and females during puberty and are responsible for enlarging the sebaceous glands and increasing the production of sebum (oil). Surging hormonal levels also can cause acne breakouts in women 2 to 7 days before their menstrual period.

Heredity or genetics. Although acne is not strictly an inherited condition, some studies have demonstrated that many adolescent children with acne come from families that at some time had also suffered from the disorder.

Stress. Does stress cause acne?. The role that stress may have on acne has seen much debate in recent years. A number of studies have shown that stress can worsen acne breakouts by increasing male hormone levels and by inhibiting the body's natural healing processes.

Medications. There are a number of medications that are known to cause acne or make acne worse. Some types of birth control pills, antidepressants and anabolic steroids can contribute to or further aggravate acne.

Is diet a remedy for acne. There has been considerable debate over whether or not a connection exists between having acne and diet. Although researchers have as yet not found a scientific link between certain foods and acne, there appears to be strong relationships between certain foods and the occurence of acne breakouts in some individuals. There is little doubt that a healthy diet has a significant effect on the general health and condition of your skin.

Environment. Although many people believe that sun is a natural acne vitamin and can prevent pimples, sun damage can occur to the delicate epithelial cells on your skin during prolonged exposure to the suns ultraviolet rays.

Pollution. Dirt, dust, oils, humidity and pollution in the environment can clog pores and worsen acne.

Cosmetics. A number of fragrances commonly found in cosmetics such as ambrette, Musk and bergamot and cinnamte are known to be acne triggers. Dyes found in many cosmetics including blushers are derived from from coal tar and are also known to be comedogenic (clogs skin pores). Many cosmetics contain oils which contribute to blocked pores. Look for products labeled "nonacnegenic" or "non-comedogenic". these cosmetics are often tested on volunteers with oily skin.

Hygiene. Acne is not caused by dirt, as some Acne Myths would suggest, but the combination of dirt and sweat can contribute to clogging your pores.

Pressure from clothes. Some types of acne can be triggered by friction from sports helmets, hats, tight clothes and constant contact with damp clothes due to sweating and rubbing of the skin.

Excessive scrubbing. Adopting a proper skin care routine plays an important role in having clear skin, but cleaning your skin too often or too harshly can cause irritation and aggravate your acne.

Who Gets Acne?

Acne effects between 40 and 50 million people in the United States alone. It has been estimated that around 80% of people between the ages of 12 to 25 years old suffer from the condition and in the past past 3 years alone the reported cases of acne has increased worldwide by around 20%. The majority of acne sufferers are young adolescents of both sexes although males tend to be effected more than females during this period. In adulthood acne is more common in females due to hormonal fluctuations that occur with their menstrual cycle and during pregnancy.

How does Acne Occur?

First of all your skin is producing too much oil. Your skin contains millions of tiny pores. Within each pore is a gland called a sebaceous gland which is responsible for producing an oily substance called Sebum. You need Sebum because it keeps your skin moist by reducing the water loss from the surface of the skin. Acne begins when the sebaceous glands become overactive. A hormone called Androgen (a male sex hormone which is present in both men and women) is believed to be a contributing factor in accelerating Sebum production by over stimulating the sebaceous glands in the pores of your skin.

Your pores get blocked by dead skin cells. Cells inside the lining of the pore are shedding too fast (Abnormal Keratinization of the sebaceous follicle) and begin to clump together. The Sebum mixes with the dead skin cells and block the pore, preventing the sebum from passing through to the surface of the skin.

Acne bacteria begins to multiply inside the blocked pores. When the pores becomes blocked, oil builds up and you now have the perfect condition for Acne bacteria to rapidly multiply. Acne bacteria love an environment where there is no air and plenty of sebum.

Your skin becomes infected and begins to swell. The pore is now full of dead skin cells sebum and pus. The result of this inflammation is the pimples and lesions we associated with acne. It takes around four to seven days before you even see the resulting pimple.

The pimple finally ruptures spilling out its contents.

 

Types of Acne Lesions

Acne Vulgaris or common acne is classified as mild to moderate and severe acne. You may want to consult a doctor or dermatologist to be sure of what type of acne you have before deciding on a pimple treatment. Your doctor will simply observe the number, type and depth of the acne spots, your skin type and then advise you on a suitable course of action. Mild to moderate acne can usually be treated with over the counter acne medications and an effective daily skin care routine while more serious acne often requires treatment with prescription drugs such as oral antibiotics.

Mild to moderate acne is usually characterized by the presence of whiteheads, blackheads, papules and pustules.

Whiteheads result when the pore is completely closed off. The trapped sebum, dead skin cells and bacteria cause a white appearance on the surface of the pimple. Whiteheads have a shorter life span than blackheads.

A blackhead will result when the opening to the pore is only partially blocked. Some of the oil and dead skin cell make there way to the surface where a chemical reaction occurs between the skins own melanin and oxygen. This is what gives blackheads their dark appearance. Blackheads often take much longer to heal than whiteheads.

Papules appear as small red or pink solid bumps on the skin. Unlike whiteheads and blackheads, papules do not contain pus and should not be squeezed because it could result in increased infection, scarring and generally make your acne worse.

Pustules appear similar to whiteheads. They are often red, inflamed and have a white or yellowish head. Squeezing a pustule can also result in further spreading the bacteria and acne scaring .

Moderate to Severe Acne  is characterized by the presence of nodules and cysts.

Nodules are large solid lumps, much bigger than papules and are lodged deep under the skin. They can be quite painful and should not be squeezed. Nodules take a long time to heal and require prescription acne drugs to be treated properly.

Cysts are not unlike nodules except they are filled with pus and can be quite large and painful. Once again, do not squeeze a cyst. Doing so will only spread the infection, cause acne scaring and extend the healing period. Cystic acne is considered by most dermatologists to be the most severe form of acne.