Acne is a disease. It is not caused by poor hygiene or eating chocolate. It occurs because of abnormal functioning of the pores in the skin.
Pores are composed of hair follicles and oil glands that normally lubricate the skin to keep it healthy. In acne, the oil glands are stimulated by hormones called androgens inside our bodies causing them to become over-active.
During puberty, these hormones begin to stimulate the oil producing sebaceous glands in the pores. This causes increased production of oil known as sebum as well as stickiness of the walls of the pores.
Blackheads and whiteheads are simply pores that have become clogged with sebum, dead skin cells and trapped debris. Sometimes, bacteria called P. acnes that normally live in the pores take advantage of the very rich, oily environment and begin to grow.
The growth of bacteria can cause the pore to become inflamed, forming a red, painful pimple. Sometimes, pimples grow so large that they fill with pus and can leave acne scars behind when they heal.
Who is at Risk for Acne?
Acne vulgaris is the technical term for the most common type of acne, affecting 85% to 100% of people at some time in their lives. While some may develop only the occasional whitehead or blackhead, others experience more frequent breakouts including small and large pimples and even permanent acne scars.
Acne typically starts at puberty and lasts for about 5 to 10 years until it finally resolves on its own when we reach our 20s. However, in some people, acne continues to be a problem well into their adult lives. The prevalence of acne is similar in all races. Teenage boys are affected more than teenage girls.
Women tend to experience acne breakouts associated with their menstrual cycles and often experience acne flares as a result of acne-causing cosmetics or other beauty treatments such as hair styling products.
Men on the other hand, often develop acne flares caused by skin irritation during contact sports in which chin straps, helmets or body gear may rub and irritate the skin. In adults, women are more commonly affected than men and both men and women can continue to experience acne breakouts well into their forties and fifties.
Even women who are experiencing menopause can develop acne for the first time because of changes in their hormone levels.
A variety of factors contribute to acne development. Family history can be very important in determining a person’s genetic predisposition to developing acne during their lives. However, even people with no significant family history may develop the condition.
Women with polycycstic ovarian syndrome or other conditions where there is an excess of hormones called androgens in the body are at increased risk of developing acne breakouts. In women, hormones called estrogens can have the opposite effect on acne.
Estrogen levels in the body typically fluctuate during a woman’s monthly menstrual cycle. This is one reason that women often have monthly flares of acne. It is also why most birth control pills that contain estrogen can be helpful in hormonal acne treatment.
Stress and Acne
Pores are composed of hair follicles and oil glands that normally lubricate the skin to keep it healthy. In acne, the oil glands are stimulated by hormones called androgens inside our bodies causing them to become over-active.
During puberty, these hormones begin to stimulate the oil producing sebaceous glands in the pores. This causes increased production of oil known as sebum as well as stickiness of the walls of the pores.
Blackheads and whiteheads are simply pores that have become clogged with sebum, dead skin cells and trapped debris. Sometimes, bacteria called P. acnes that normally live in the pores take advantage of the very rich, oily environment and begin to grow. The growth of bacteria can cause the pore to become inflamed, forming a red, painful pimple. Sometimes, pimples grow so large that they fill with pus and can leave acne scars behind when they heal.
See also: Stress Reduction Techniques.