Acne Causes

 

Examining Acne Causes

Acne Causes vary according to several different factors. These may include age, gender, heredity, and any number of personal issues. Hardly anyone is immune to acne, but the good news is that breakouts are temporary in both duration and over the span of a lifetime. Some people may be bothered by pimples later in life, but there are many ways to deal with these more infrequent episodes.

Let’s take a look at some of the more common, and uncommon, acne causes to give you a better understanding of the treatments available for acne skin care.

The Root of Acne

At the root of the formation of pimples, whiteheads, or blackheads is the hair follicle. When cells inside the follicles flake in an overabundance, a plug forms. As this plug enlarges, it may rupture the follicle. When this happens, oil and debris is spilled into the skin and it becomes inflamed and swollen.

Not all hair follicle irritation results in acne. It is bacteria, technically Propionibacterium, that is the real cause. This bacteria creates enzymes whose job it is to dissolve the skin glands’ oil, or sebum.

Hormones

It is a common fact that majority of acne occurs in the teenage years. This is largely due to the increasing hormones found in an adolescent’s body.

Young males are more prone to breakouts because they are producing more androgens. Androgens cause the skin’s sebaceous glands to enlarge. They also increase the production of sebum in these glands. The more oil that is produced, the riper the environment for the growth of bacteria. Teen acne in boys is usually the result of a combination of facial hair,  body hair, a deepening of the voice, and surging androgen.

In females, estrogens are the cause of acne. As young girls first experience menstruation, they also become prone to breakouts. For many girls who suffer from teen acne, the condition tends to worsen and then improve in direct correlation with her menstrual cycle. Sometimes a prescription for birth control pills can help alleviate severe acne.

Estrogen also explains why some women are prone to adult acne breakouts during PMS. It is the fluctuating levels of the hormone that contribute to the acne cause in older females. Anti-wrinkle creams and skin firming lotions with hormones in them may make the problem worse.

Heredity and Genetics

Researchers are beginning to develop a link between acne and family history. The exact genetic factor has yet to be determined.

Genetics come into play as a cause for acne because they determine the anatomy of one’s hair follicles. Everyone has hair follicles all over their body, with the exception of the palms of the hand and the soles of the feet. While all humans need these hair follicles to produce oil to protect the skin on the face, chest, and back, a high number of sebaceous glands in these areas results in a greater proclivity for the formation of pimples.

There are many Acne Causes that we experience throughout our lives – from adolescence on up until mid-life. Understanding these causes and how to effectively deal with them will go a long way toward keeping the problem of acne under control.