Understanding What Causes Acne Can Help Avoid Outbreaks


Before a person can choose the best acne treatment for them, they should understand what causes acne. By knowing it cause not only will they have a chance to combat a current outbreak, they may be able to avoid future outbreaks. Why some people are more prone to outbreaks is unknown but testosterone is often cited as a major player in what causes acne.

Contrary to popular belief, fatty foods and chocolate are not what causes acne, and infrequent cleansing cannot be blamed either, however not keeping areas prone to acne outbreaks clean can spread the bacteria that helps acne grow. Essentially, it is a blocked pore in which bacteria forms that causes the outbreaks. Despite attempts at prevention, there are some reasons blamed for acne that may be difficult to control.

Hair follicles are adjacent to the sebaceous glands, which produce an oily substance secreted through a small tube through which the hair grow. This substance also helps lubricate the skin and research has shown that overactive sebaceous glands can produce too much sebum causing the opening to become blocked, which is what causes acne. Primarily, blackheads and pimples formed and for most, this is as far as the problem goes.

Understanding Triggers Of Sebaceous Activity

One of the primary causes of the sebaceous glands becoming overactive is hormone changes, which is what causes acne in teenagers. As they go through specific lifestyle changes, there is a large amount of testosterone produced, and the glands are instructed to produce more sebum. While that may not explain what causes acne in adults, other life-changing events can also cause acne outbreaks.

Pregnancy is another common cause as well as stressful situations. Some medications can also be what causes acne, especially steroidal medicines and eczema ointments. Additionally, oil-based cosmetics can block pores in the skin and if a person is prone to acne breakouts, they should only use water-based products. During the normal course of a day, dead skin and bacteria grow near the hair follicles and if left to grow, it can play a major part in what causes acne.

While pimples and blackheads are the weakest for of acne, in some individuals the infection will form under the skin and can grow in cysts. These infections are painful and squeezing them often will not eliminate the cyst, rather it can spread the infection causing more problems as well as leaving scars on the skin.

These sores are often painful and, if left untreated, can lead to scarring and a pitting of the skin. `

Makeup Breakouts

Nodulocystic acne is also one of the most severe types of acne, and it is most commonly characterized by cysts.

The most commonly used treatment for acne control is prescription medications, and this includes such products as Accutane and ProActiv. To make sure that you get enough supply of fibers in a day, eat multigrain bread, plenty of fruits and vegetables, legumes, eggs, nuts, yogurt and those foods that are rich in monounsaturated fats. Although they will certainly get rid of any oil or excess dirt on your skin, they will also strip away all of your sebum, which is your bodys natural skin oil. If you are one of those that believe that it is only possible to lessen the symptoms and not cure it, you may be right though an effective treatment is getting hormones under control as well as detoxify the body. Acne is a very serious condition, not only physically but emotionally as well because it can really put a dent in your self-confidence and self-esteem.