Acne is a teenage blight that affects many adults too. Almost everyone gets pimples at some point, but many people don't know what causes them. You might think they're triggered by eating greasy french fries or not washing your face enough, but some of the most common beliefs about acne are wrong. Acne has very specific physical causes.
General Causes
Acne has three general causes that can result in pimples. The Mayo Clinic explains that acne sufferers may produce too much sebum, a type of lubricating oil secreted by the skin's glands. They also have problems with the proper shedding of dead skin cells. An overabundance of oil and cells blocks hair follicles, creating a pimple. Bacteria builds up in the area and increases inflammation, worsening the outbreak.
Causes in Teens
Teenagers go through major hormonal changes during puberty. Their glands secrete more oil because of these changes, which makes them more vulnerable to acne. Some youngsters have genes that put them at a higher risk for developing pimples, but the Nemours hospital network explains that acne affects nearly 80 percent of teens.
Adult Causes
Acne is less common in adults, but the Acne.org website explains that 25 percent of men and 50 percent of women will get it in adulthood. Women are particularly susceptible to adult acne because it can be triggered by hormonal changes associated with the menstrual cycle or menopause. Both men and women may get outbreaks if the bacteria in their bodies has become resistant to standard treatments over the years, Acne.org explains.
Myths
There are many myths about acne causes, according to the Mayo Clinic. Many people blame chocolate or greasy foods for causing outbreaks, but there is no scientific evidence to back this assertion. The only foods that might possibly trigger acne are starchy items like bagels, bread and potato chips. Researchers believe this is related to their effect on blood sugar, but the exact link and mechanism is still unknown.
Poor hygiene does not make you more prone to acne either. Too much washing and vigorous scrubbing can actually worsen acne by irritating and inflaming affected areas.
Treatment
Acne treatments must directly affect the causes in order to work. They must dry out oil, help skin shed cells or destroy bacteria. The best treatments work on more than one cause. For example, the American Academy of Dermatology explains benzoyl peroxide, a common acne remedy, gets rid of dead cells and kills bacteria. Salicylic acid, another acne treatment ingredient, stops abnormal skin cell shedding and unclogs hair follicles. Alcohol and acetone, often used together in products, get rid of oil and bacteria.
Member Comments