What Causes Acne..........
Acne is a condition whereby the skins oil glands become blocked. Each pore of your skin has an oil gland underneath it. These glands produce an oily substance called sebum. The follicle that connects the oil gland to the pore contains a hair. When the skin cells inside the follicle or on the surface, are not shed when they should be, they block the pores. This prevents the sebum escaping, and can also cause the hair to become trapped as well. A pimple is the result as the sebum, shed skin cells and possibly also the hair, try to escape. When a blockage occurs, it often becomes infected, turning the condition from a simple pimple into acne.
The face, neck, back, chest and shoulders are the most common sites for acne, and although acne is not a serious health threat, the fact that it is often on the face and even worse, can cause scars, makes it a very distressing condition for most people.
Although there is a lot of acne information documented, no one cause has been agreed upon. This is probably because there are several factors which seem to increase the likelihood of it developing. These include:
1. The hormone increase that is a natural part of growing up during the teenage years. The hormones can cause an increase in sebum production that is just too much for the follicles to clear out efficiently.
2. Hormone changes brought on by pregnancy can have the same effect.
3. The use of, or end of use of, birth control pills - again probably because of the hormone effect.
4. A predisposition to blocked pores seems to be inherited from parents.
5. Some types of medication seem to increase the likelihood of acne - again possibly due to upsetting the bodys hormonal systems.
6. The use of grease based makeup - obviously because the extra oils get into the pores and combine with the natural oils, resulting in an "oil overload".
So it seems the predominant thoughts are that any thing that upsets the bodys hormonal system, or increases the oil on the skins surface, may be the main culprits.
What is the best acne skin care for prevention and acne control?
Cleanliness, no touching, prudent sun exposure, careful shaving for the guys, and an oil free makeup for the girls, are the main approaches for acne prone skin.
Cleanliness: Use of a gentle (maybe specialised) cleanser in the morning & evening, and particular after sweaty activity eg workouts. Avoid the use of facial scrubs, as they can spread infection and also damage an already delicate skin.
No touching: Avoid touching your skin as this often transfers more infection. Squeezing and picking pimples almost always ends up in scarring, so this is a definite no-no, as tempting as it may be.
Prudent exposure to the sun: Acne prone skin is often sensitive and more likely to burn. Also many acne control medications can make the skin more prone to burning. Having said that, some sun exposure each day can be beneficial but a few minutes well away from the midday sun, is the wisest approach. Use of a good SPF moisturiser (formulated for acne prone skin) goes without saying.
Shave carefully: If you shave, you need to try different methods to see which gives you the least skin irritation. Luckily today, a less than close shave is almost a fashion statement, and certainly the more you can avoid a very close shave the better.
Oil free makeup: Products that are "noncomedogenic" or "non-occlusive" will not clog pores. Better still, try to minimize use of all makeup - your skin will thank you for it.
Is there a best diet for acne?
Although there is no diet specifically for acne, the basic principles of good diet apply. Plenty of fresh fruit and veg, and a few glasses of water a day, while minimising an overload of sugars and "bad" fats in the diet, enable the body to fight infections and also regulate the hormonal environment much more easily. As hormonal disruption and infection are continually cited as what causes acne, obviously a diet that supports the bodys natural ability to fight infection and regulate its hormonal output, has to be the best approach.
Are there any acne cures as such?
Although there is no one way of curing acne, there is much information now available as to how to reduce and treat acne. Acne awareness is your best weapon, understanding what causes acne and incorporating the best acne skin care into your daily routine will provide you with the closest thing to an acne cure there is.
Myths About the Causes of Acne?
There are many myths about what causes acne. Dirty skin and stress do not cause acne, however both have been proven to make acne worse. Likewise, confectionery, softdrinks and greasy foods do not cause acne. However, an overload in your diet can in fact impair your bodys ability to balance its systems which, while not curing acne, often proves to be a very effective way to reduce and treat acne in all age groups.
In conclusion... With close to 18 million people in the United States suffering acne, it is the most common skin disorder. It is not limited to any race or age group, but is most prevalant in teenagers and young adults. It is believed somewhere between 80 and 90 percent of people between the age of twelve and twenty five suffer acne to some degree or another. The good news is, most of us grow out of it by the time we turn thirty.
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