What Is Acne? 

What is acne and what causes acne, the dictionary definition of acne is an inflammatory disease of the sebaceous glands and hair follicles of the skin that is marked by the eruption of pimples or pustules, especially on the face.

 If you ask a doctor what is acne and what causes acne he might say, it is a disease of the sebaceous glands, resulting from the action of hormones and other substances on the skin's oil glands (sebaceous glands) and hair follicles, when these glands become stopped up so the material which is secreted in the little sac cannot escape, there results an accumulation of this oily material in the sac.

 So what does all this mean, well as these sacs fill they gradually distend, and become large enough to make a little elevation on the skin and causes outbreaks of lesions commonly called pimples, zits or acne. In some people these distended sacs remain for a considerable time without undergoing further change; in others the matter accumulates constantly, until finally a considerable lump appears, acne lesions usually occur on the face, neck, back, chest, and shoulders. Although acne is usually not a serious health threat, it can be a source of significant emotional distress. Severe acne can lead to permanent scarring.

How Does Acne Develop?

Doctors will tell you that acne is a disease of the pilosebaceous units (PSUs). PSUs are found over most of the body, PSUs consist of a sebaceous gland connected to a canal, called a follicle, that contains a fine hair (see PSUs diagram 1). There are large numbers of these units on the face, upper back, and chest. 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.

What causes acne is when the hair follicles in our skin get blocked. No one knows precisely why these blockages occur, nor why they are more severe in some people than in others, even in different members of the same family. It also is not known why acne commonly first occurs after puberty, although the sebaceous glands grow considerably at this time, which could be a factor. The oil produced by hair follicles, called sebum, is normally beneficial because it helps prevent the skin from drying and limits skin infections. But when sebum can't drain, it builds up and actually becomes a culture medium for bacteria. When the wall of the plugged follicle breaks down, it spills everything into the nearby skin – sebum, shed skin cells, and bacteria – leading to lesions or pimples.

The basic acne lesion, called the comedo (KOM-e-do), is simply an enlarged and plugged hair follicle. If the plugged follicle, or comedo, stays beneath the skin, it is called a closed comedo and produces a white bump called a whitehead.  

A comedo that reaches the surface of the skin and opens up is called an open comedo or blackhead because it looks black on the skin's surface. This black discoloration is due to changes in sebum as it is exposed to air. It is not due to dirt. Both whiteheads and blackheads may stay in the skin for a long time.

         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 white or yellow 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.

 As pimples develop, the skin may become inflamed. This inflammation may last for a time even after a pimple bursts or heals (you shouldn't squeeze pimples, because squeezing can lead to more severe skin infections). In severe cases, scarring may take place, caused by imperfections in the inflammatory response to infection. It is not known why some people are more susceptible to acne scarring than others. Fortunately, most acne spots and inflammation heal over time, but the healing process can take months.

     What Causes Acne?

The exact cause of acne is unknown, but doctors believe it results from several related factors. 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. Researchers believe that the tendency to develop acne can be inherited from parents. For example, studies have shown that many school-age boys with acne have a family history of the disorder. Certain drugs, including androgens and lithium, are known to cause acne. Greasy cosmetics may alter the cells of the follicles and make them stick together, producing a plug.

       Additional 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
• Oil from skin products (moisturizers or cosmetics)
• Pressure from sports helmets or equipment, backpacks, tight collars, or tight sports uniforms
• Environmental irritants, such as pollution and high humidity
• Squeezing or picking at blemishes
• Hard scrubbing of the skin
• Stress.

Causes of adult acne and teen acne may include hormones, diet, evolutionary biology, vitamin deficiency, stress, and more. The real explanation may be a complex mix of many of these factors.

Myths About What Causes Acne

There are many myths about what causes acne. Chocolate and greasy foods are often blamed, but there is little evidence that foods have much effect on the development and course of acne in most people. Another common myth is that dirty skin causes acne; however, blackheads and other acne lesions are not caused by dirt. Stress doesn't cause acne, but research suggests that for people who have acne, stress can make it worse.

Acne Treatment

The goals of acne treatment is to heal existing lesions, stop new lesions from forming, prevent scarring, and minimize the psychological stress and embarrassment caused by this disease.

     NATURAL ACNE TREATMENT FOR NATURALLY CLEAR SKIN  

Act Now to Look Better to Yourself and the People You Care About!