subject: Understanding the Causes of Acne [print this page] Understanding the Causes of Acne Understanding the Causes of Acne
Acne can occur in all age groups. However, it is most common in individuals going through adolescence or puberty. It can affect the following parts of the body:
? Chest
? Face
? Back
? Upper arms
? Neck
For adolescents or teenagers, acne can trigger social withdrawal and even depression. If left untreated, it can result to disfiguring scarring.
Acne Common Misconceptions
? Acne is not due to infrequent washing or uncleanliness. Though too much dirt on the skin can block the pores it is not the main cause of acne. If you scrub your skin too much, it can make your acne worse.
? Acne is not a result of eating chocolates, "fast" foods and foods that are high in fat.
Causes of Acne
There are actually a lot of factors that contribute to the development of acne. The root cause would be the abnormal development of cells in the hair follicle. This can lead to the formation of blackheads or "plugs" which inhibit the normal development of the skin cells, grease and hair. The end result would be an enlargement and rupture of the hair follicle. When the hair follicle gets ruptured, it spills its contents into the skin. Too much oil and debris will cause swelling, redness or inflammation.
Other factors that contribute to acne are:
? Bacterium that naturally lives in the skin hair follicles. These bacteria, known as "propionibacterium" can produce substances that cause irritation, redness or inflammation. They can also make enzymes that dissolve sebum from the skin's oil glands into irritating substances - making the inflammation worse than before.
? Estrogens or female hormones which causes the monthly menstrual cycle in women. This is why acne may get worse or better during a woman's monthly cycle. To treat acne, doctors will prescribe birth control pills that contain estrogens.
? Androgens or male hormones that are present in both sexes. However, they are higher in men. They are responsible for enlarging the sebaceous glands in the skin and they make the glands increase sebum production. The increased oil production aggravates plug formation. It also serves as food for the bacteria.
? Genetic factors also contribute to acne breakouts.
Hair follicle anatomy. This is since hair follicles are near the oil glands, the surface and is in constant contact with sebum.
