The
precise cause of acne is not known, but its onset is usually linked
to a few key factors. One of the most important of these factors
seems to be the increase in the production of androgen hormones
that occurs in both men and women during puberty or adolescence.
Increased
amounts of androgens in the body cause the sebaceous glands to become
enlarged and to produce greater quantities of sebum (oil).
Also
during puberty, the skin cells lining a follicle tend to be shed
at a quicker pace, increasing the probability that they will stick
together and contribute to blockages in the follicle.
Other
factors that are thought to contribute to acne include:
use of greasy, pore-clogging (comedogenic) cosmetics.
a family history of acne.
abrasion caused by over-vigorous scrubbing, frequent shaving,
or other manipulation and "picking at" the skin.
exposure to high heat and humidity.
exposure to airborne pollutants.
the use of certain drugs, such as glucocorticoids, iodides,
bromides, lithium, artificial androgens and others.
No
definitive link has been shown to exist between acne and diet--even
with the consumption of chocolate, fatty foods or shellfish. Surprisingly,
even such factors as stress and poor hygiene are only linked indirectly
to acne, even though regular cleansing is advisable for many reasons.
Since normal changes in the body during puberty are the main contributors
to acne, it's no wonder virtually everyone experiences breakouts.
Remember,
your friends experience it, your parents probably experienced it,
and it's not a sign of personal failure when you experience it.
Yes, even models and movie stars experience breakouts...of course,
they have a lot of help hiding them!
So,
do your best not to let a breakout get you down. And to minimize
the frequency and severity of breakouts, follow the advice in our How
To Deal With Acne? section.
