How Does Acne Develop - What Causes Acne?

Acne is a skin disorder. Acne lesions arise through pilosebaceous units, which are made of sebaceous glands and hair follicles in the middle layer of skin called the dermis. Found over most of the body, PSUs consist of a sebaceous gland connected to a canal, called a follicle, that contains a fine hair. The sebaceous glands make an oily substance called sebum that normally empties onto the skin surface through the opening of the follicle, commonly called a pore. Cells called keratinocytes line the follicle. The primary cause of acne is obstruction of pilosebaceous canal, which can take place due to various reasons.

The opening of the blackhead displayed in dark not because of the accumulation of dirt, but due to the accumulation of melanin pigments. Papules are red buttons or injury. Pustules are like papules, but its center is filled with pus. Nodules are deep acne which can take up to 8 weeks to heal. The cysts are not a form of acne, but it is the most serious example of acne, which can reach up to several centimeters in diameter.

The cause of acne is not fully understood. Though poor hygiene, poor diet, and stress can aggravate acne, they clearly do not cause it. Greasy food or poor hygiene, acne is caused by over-production of oil from the sebaceous glands. One important factor is an increase in hormones called androgens (male sex hormones). These increase in both boys and girls during puberty and cause the sebaceous glands to enlarge and make more sebum. Hormonal changes related to pregnancy or starting or stopping birth control pills can also cause acne. Another factor is heredity or genetics. The tendency to develop acne can be inherited from parents.

Certain medications, including lithium and androgens are known to cause acne. Some cosmetics may also provoke spots, especially those that contain oils, fatty acids and waxes. Greasy cosmetics can damage the follicle cells and make them stick together, the production of a plug. Acnes Propionibacteria are many acne on the skin, causing inflammation of the buttons. Bacteria also play a part. During puberty many types of bacteria are normally present on the surface of the skin. When certain bacteria come into contact with excess oil, they enter the ducts of the sebaceous glands where they produce chemicals, which can escape into deeper parts of the skin. In severe acne this can cause big tender spots called nodules.

There can be aggravating factors. Teenage girls often report a flare-up of spots just before menstruation. Stress and certain foods, such as fast food and chocolate, seem to make acne worse. Stress causes your oil glands to overcompensate. The most common things that can aggravate your acne are cleansing your skin too much, squeezing, picking, or popping zits. Excessive cleansing, particularly with the overzealous use of abrasive facial scrubs can irritate your skin, and worsen inflammation. Squeezing and picking acne spots may increase inflammation and can cause further disruption of the acne oil sac.