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How do you get Acne?

Acne is caused by an excess production of an oily substance called sebum, which comes from the sebaceous glands under the skin. Normally the sebum drains out through the pores onto the surface of your skin. This is what keeps the skin soft. If too much sebum is produced, it can clog the pores. In addition to the sebum, the pores can also be blocked by dead skin cells which the body has failed to shed properly. Bacteria can then grow in the blocked area and infect the surrounding tissue. This results in the inflammations commonly associated with acne, such as blackhead, whiteheads and pimples.

The exact reason all of this happens is not known. Experts believe, however, there are a number of factors that can affect the development of acne.

• Hormones. Hormones are thought to be the main cause of acne. It is thought that acne is a particular problem during adolescence because of changing levels of the male hormone androgen. Girls also produce androgen but in smaller amounts. Androgen stimulates the sebaceous glands, causing them to produce more oil. Teenages tend to have oilier skin, even if they don’t have flare-ups of acne. Females may experience flare-ups during menstrual periods or pregnancy, or while using birth control pills. Stress may influence hormone levels.
• Genetics. Acne often runs in families.
• Medication. Acne is a side-effect for certain medications, such as corticosteroids.

Factors that can cause skin irritation, which may lead to acne include:

• Rubbing or friction from clothes and sports equipment.
• Scrubbing skin too hard while washing.
• Cosmetics. Some oil-based cosmetics may block pores.
• Oily substances. Certain occupations have a high exposure to oily substances that may irritate the skin.
• Environment. Pollution and humidity for example.

Neither greasy foods nor poor hygiene causes acne. While skin that is affected by overproductive sebaceous glands needs to be cleaned regularly to remove excess oil and dead skin cells, poor hygiene in itself will not cause acne.

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