Free Beauty Tips
Acne
Causes of Acne
|
Acne is a very common skin disorder which affects almost all teenagers and young adults. This disease mainly affects the men and women in their 30s and 40s.
The exact cause of acne is unknown but there are certain factors which can result into acne. Acne is caused by the overactivity of the glands that produces excess sebum production on the surface of the skin.
Acne most frequently occurs on the face which produces the number of oil producing sebaceous glands. Acne can also be caused on the chest, back and shoulders.
There are several factors which are involved in the development of acne and they are:-
Hormone Levels
The hormones called androgens, affect mainly boys and girls during the period of puberty and cause the sebaceous glands to produce more sebum. These glands make the skin more oily and greasy. Hormonal changes relate to pregnancy or starting or stopping of birth control pills can also result into acne.
Heredity or Genetics
According to researchers, acne can be developed by inheriting from the parents. Acne is based on the family history of the disorder. Certain drugs like lithium and androgens can cause acne. Greasy cosmetics can also be one of the cause of acne.
There are also various triggers which increase the risk of acne and they are:-
- High humidity
- Skin picking or squeezing
- Menstrual periods
- Pollution
- Stress
- Skin rubbing
- Skin scrubbing
Some drugs like steroid tablets and beauty products that clog the pores are also one of the contributing factors of acne.
Acne is a disease of pilosebaceous units which consist of sebaceous gland and connected to a canal which is known as a follicle and contains fine hairs. These units are found on many parts of the body. These sebaceous glands produce sebum on the skin’s surface by the opening of the follicle which is also known as a pore. These cells are known as keratinocytes.
The sebum, hair and keratinocytes together fill the follicle and produce a plug. This plug prevents the sebum production on the surface of the skin through a pore. The mixture of cells and oil gives birth to the bacteria p.acnes which grows in the plugged follicles.
As a result, these bacteria produce some enzymes and chemicals and causes inflammation. People suffering from acne have a variety of lesions. One of the most common of them is comedo which is an enlarged and plugged hair follicle. The other types of lesions which develop includes:-
- Nodules – These are the painful, large and solid lesions which are developed deep inside the skin.
- Papules – These are the inflamed lesions which appear as small and pink bumps on the skin.
- Cysts – These lesions are painful, deep and pus-filled that can cause permanent scars on the skin.
- Pustules – They appear as red and are pus-filled lesions.