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Causes of Acne

The cause of acne has long been debated with little resolution as to the actual cause of it. It still baffles and mystifies even the most senior specialists. What is known however is that acne originates from the sebaceous glands beneath the skin. What happens is that these sebaceous glands release an oil that turns into a firm white substance known as sebum. This then permeates up through the entrance of a hair follicle and bursts out through the surface of the skin to appear as a pimple.

The exact type of acne one may suffer from may be classified into either a non-inflammatory or an inflammatory form of acne. Non-inflammatory acne is the least severe of the two and is seen by the occasional breakout of a pimple, blackhead or whitehead. This is the form of acne that nearly everyone will experience at some point in time. The more severe form of acne is inflammatory acne and is usually characterized by excessive pimples and zits and pocks on the face as well as other areas such as the back, neck and groin.

What causes Acne ?

All forms of acne have their origin in wrong feeding habits, such as irregular hours of eating, improper food, excess of starches and sugar, excess of fatty foods. Chronic constipation is another major cause of acne. If the bowels do not move properly, waste matter is not eliminated as quickly as it should be and the bloodstream becomes surcharged with toxic matter. The extra efforts of the skin to eliminate excess waste result in acne and other forms of skin disease. Yet another important cause of acne is a devitalised condition of the skin resulting from unhygienic living habits. Other causes of the disorder are excessive use of tea, coffee, alcohol or tobacco, strenuous studies, masturbation and sedentary habits which lead to indigestion and general debility.The exact cause of acne is still not fully understood.

• Blockage of Follicles
• Genetic Factors
• Bacteria
• Stress
• Oily Skin
• Androgen

Other troublesome acne lesions can develop, including the following:

• Papules --inflamed lesions that usually appear as small, pink bumps on the skin and can be tender to the touch
• Pustules (pimples) --papules topped by pus-filled lesions that may be red at the base
• Nodules --large, painful, solid lesions that are lodged deep within the skin
• Cysts --deep, painful, pus-filled lesions that can cause scarring.

Factors that can cause an acne flare include:

• Changing hormone levels in adolescent girls and adult women 2 to 7 days before their menstrual period starts
• Friction caused by leaning on or rubbing the skin
• Pressure from bike helmets, backpacks, or tight collars
• Environmental irritants, such as pollution and high humidity
• Squeezing or picking at blemishes
• Hard scrubbing of the skin.

What Causes Acne ?

The cause of acne is unknown. Doctors think certain factors might cause it:

• The hormone increase in teenage years (this can cause the oil glands to plug up more often)
• Hormone changes during pregnancy
• Starting or stopping birth control pills
• Heredity (if your parents had acne, you might get it, too)
• Some types of medicine
• Greasy makeup.

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