Here are 9 causes of acne:

1. Hormones

With the onset of puberty, the human body starts to produce hormones called androgens or male sex hormones, increasing in both boys and girls. These androgens cause the enlargement and over stimulation of the sebaceous glands which are found in the hair follicles or pores of the skin.

The extra sebum or oil that the sebaceous glands produce mixes with dead skin cells and bacteria on the skin’s surface and this blocks pores. Within the blocked pore, the bacteria multiply and cause inflammation. All of this leads to the lesions that are associated with acne.

Teenagers are the most common sufferers of acne, purely because of the hormonal shifts that are associated with puberty. Current figures indicate nearly 85% of people will develop acne at some point between the ages of 12 and 25.

It is also important to note that the hormonal changes associated with both the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and even menopause have been shown to be culprits in the creation of acne. Also, when women are either beginning or ending their usage of birth control, the hormonal fluctuations that can occur at this time can cause acne in some women.

Furthermore, fluctuations in the hormones of adults, both men and women, can cause spikes in the production of sebum in the sebaceous glands. This opens wide the range of those susceptible to acne, due to hormonal changes.

2. Genetics

Another factor is heredity or genetics. Many researchers now believe that the tendency to develop acne can be inherited from parents. In studies conducted by a number of scientists, links have been found between those presently suffering from acne and the presence of acne in their family history. Strictly speaking though, acne is not an inherited disease, at least not in the medical sense of the word.

However, it is also true that acne is much more common in children of parents who have had or still have acne than those who do not. While the research is still ongoing, there is no doubt the research will continue to yield new results and perhaps, deeper genetic causes might be unearthed.

3. Medication

As was stated before, the side effects of certain drugs can cause acne. Examples can include: barbiturates, anti-depressants, anti-anxiety medication, lithium and certain forms of steroids.

4. Heavy or oily costmetics

In the case of certain cosmetics, their ingredients can affect the structure of hair follicles and lead to over-production of sebum, which in turn clogs the pores.

5. Over-abrasive cleansing

Astringent facial products can dry the skin out and also causes the body to overproduce sebum to compensate. The use of harsh exfoliators can damage existing spots and spread infection.

6. Pressure from helmets or hats, backpacks, tight clothing

If there is pressure against the skin, as is the case when wearing hats, and helmets, or when a backpack is pressing down against shoulders, then the potential for irritation and acne breakouts are real. Either friction, as is true when someone is wearing tight clothing, or pressure as in the aforementioned hat or helmet, can go a long way towards affecting the pores and causing acne to flare up.

7. Environmental irritants

If a person works in a garage or in a factory, certain chemicals present in such environments can actually cause acne flare-ups, if not lead to its appearance. Oils, for instance, when brought in contact with skin over a long period can clog up pores, or at least irritate the skin. Pollution can have much the same effect upon the skin, clogging pores and creating infections.

8. Heavy scrubbing of skin

Picking or squeezing blackheads and/or whiteheads can cause the infection to move deeper into the skin and which will lead to scarring.

9. Diet

While no foods actually have been linked to the cause of acne, it is proven that certain foods can be responsible for acne flare-ups.

1. Acne is caused by poor hygiene

It doesn’t matter how often, how ritually, you scrub your face and other areas affected by acne; this has no bearing on either the status of current a breakout or the creation of new problems. In fact, this sort of rigorous regimen of washing and scrubbing can actually irritate skin and make the acne worse, not better. Though you may have heard so from well-meaning parents growing up or some other misinformed person, acne is not caused by poor hygiene.

This doesn’t mean that hygiene isn’t important. In fact, good hygiene can help reduce the effects of acne if used in conjunction with acne treatment products. Rather than frequent, harsh washing, it is generally recommended that you wash your face twice to three times a day with mild soap and then pat it dry – don’t scrub dry.

2. Acne is caused by diet

“Don’t eat chocolate, it will give you pimples!” “They say that eating greasy foods can give you zits.” Most of you have heard these and other similar statements before, right? What they are saying, in effect, is that what you eat can cause acne. But, what they are saying isn’t true.

It is a myth, one of the more popular ones actually, about the causes of acne. Extensive scientific research has been conducted, searching for possible correlations between one’s diet and a possible cause of acne, and have not found anything conclusive.

However, each of us is different. Some people notice that breakouts are worse after eating certain foods–and the kinds of food differ with each person. For example, some people may notice breakouts after eating chocolate; while others have no effects with chocolate.

Instead, they notice breakouts occurring after they drink too much coffee or caffeine. These are just examples but they might be worth heading. If there is some sort of food or drink that might be affecting your acne, then cut back and see if that helps.

3. Acne is caused by stress

Stress is not a direct cause of acne but it is true that some types of stress can cause the body to produce a hormone called cortisol, which can irritate existing acne.

Indirectly, some medication that we take to alleviate or control extreme stress or emotional problems like depression can be factors in the production of acne. In fact, some medicines have acne listed as a possible side effect.

4. Acne will go away on its own

This is generally not true and acne needs treatment in order to be cleared up. With the selection of acne treatment products available today there is no reason not to investigate and find what has the best results for those concerned. In some cases, a dermatologist should be consulted and other forms of treatment can be pursued.

5. Tanning clears up skin

In fact, this has the reverse effect. At first it may seem that the latest bake in the tanning bed or sunbathing has improved your complexion, but in fact the tan may only have masked or covered the acne.

In reality, the sun can make the skin dry and irritated and this can lead to more breakouts. On another note, if you do tan, make sure that you are using a sunscreen that doesn’t contain oils and other chemicals that might clog up your pores and cause acne to get worse. (Look for noncomedogenic or nonacnegenic on the label.)

6. Popping Zits Will Make Them Go Away Faster

Again, though this seems true, it is another myth. Rather than speeding up the process of healing, this action actually prolongs the situation as popping the whitehead caused the bacteria inside to be pushed deeper into the skin, which allows more infection to grow, and ultimately leads to scarring.

7. Only Teenagers get acne

The truth is that about 25% to 30% of all people between the ages 25- 44 have active acne. So the idea that acne is only a problem for teens is yet another myth.

I am ‘m going to do is share with you some acne causing foods. That way, you’ll know exactly which foods are causing you to breakout and how you can stop it from happening.

1. Foods that are loaded with saturated fats cause you to have acne

These foods include burgers from fast food restaurants, pizzas, meats that are loaded with fats, french fries, and other junk foods. If you consume a lot of these foods, your breakout will be severe.

2. Vegetable oils are also other acne causing foods

These foods consist of some pasta sauces, chips, and other foods that are cooked in vegetable oils. The oils cause you to breakout by restricting anti-inflammatory hormone and converting it into pro-inflammatory hormone.

3. Another acne causing food is sugar

These foods consist of sugary sodas, cakes, cookies, chocolates, and other foods that are high in sugar content. Sugary foods cause acne by spiking your insulin levels, which has a negative effect on your hormones.

4. Too much animal protein

Let me warn you about this one of the acne causing foods. They are highly acidifying which pushes the forming of harmful bacteria that cause breakouts.

5. Milk

Let me let you in on a little secret: cow milk, or any other animal milk is not made for humans to drink.. I know you love cereal and milk, but it can cause you to breakout with blemishes. Pasteurized and homogenized milk is also highly mucous forming and coats your small intestine linings. This mucous inhibits absorption of nutrients through the walls of the small intestine. Plus cows are always being injected with hormones. Instead try yogurt that is made from non-pasteurized milk.

In order to reduce your acne and clear your skin, you need to eat healthy foods. Make sure you eat fruits, veggies, nuts, lean meats (such as tuna, chicken breast, and turkey), and whole wheat foods. Eating healthy will not only help reduce your acne, but also help you have a lean, fit body.

What are causes of acne? I think many people have not known it yet. So, in this article I try to inform it. Anyway, in general, causes of acne are divided into external factors and internal factors. Below you will find short explanation of every cause.

External Factors to Acne

1. Makeup and skin care products

Comedogenic skin care products can cause irritation or make you break out. These include any products that clog oil ducts. Look for non-comedogenic or non-acnegenic products, but be aware these products can still make you break out.

2. Occupation

Depending on where you work, it is possible that your work environment can cause acne. Such environments include manufacturing or construction facilities where you may come in contact with chemicals or polluting agents that cling to the skin.

3. Too much sun

Evidence shows that another that exposure to sun rays is also one of many acne causes. This can even cause acne a few months after exposure.

4. Climate

Humidity can cause moisture in follicle cells to swell up. On the flip side, dry air can create thick sebum inside follicle cells. Both extremes can ultimately cause acne.

5. Picking and squeezing pimples

Touching your face or using your fingers to pick or squeeze pimples is one of the simpler acne causes that are more from habit. Picking pushes bacteria deeper into the skin cells or spread the bacteria already beneath the surface of the skin.

6. Sweat

Sweat trapped in by your clothing creates an ideal breeding ground for bacteria. Friction caused by leaning on or rubbing the skin or the pressure of bike helmets, backpacks, or tight collars can contribute to or worsen acne.

Internal Factors to Acne

7. Bacteria

Bacteria that typically live on the skin are a contributor to acne. The bacteria known as Propionibacterium acnes are responsible for causing acne. These bacteria create enzymes that dissolve the oil in the skin, and irritate the skin causing inflammation.

8. Sebum production

Generally, there is a relationship between the amount of sebum produced and the severity of acne. The largest sebaceous glands are located on the face, neck, chest, upper back and upper arms.

9. Follicle growth

Sometimes follicle walls will grow abnormally and this can cause acne. As well, increased growth of cells can interfere with the follicles and form a plug. This plug gets bigger until it bursts and spreads bacteria on the surface of the skin.

10. Hormones

Many acne causes come from hormonal change or imbalance. There are hormonal changes during stress, menstruation, pregnancy, stopping/starting birth control pills, menopause, and hormonal disorders.

Androgens: Androgens are produced by the adrenal glands is one of the internal acne causes that stimulate oil glands and oil production. Increased androgen levels leads to more acne.

Stress: Although stress doesn’t directly cause acne, it will aggravate it. This is because stress leads to increased androgen levels, which then affect your sebaceous glands.

11. Diet

Dermatologists still aren’t 100% sure if what we eat affects acne. There exists an ongoing debate among experts about the role of food.

12. Prescription drugs and steroids

Certain drugs, including lithium, barbiturates, and steroids such as for muscle building (androgens) are known to cause acne.

13. Genetics

If your parents had acne, or one of them, there’s a chance you will inherit their complexion. It is now believed that acne can run in the family, but the specific genetic factor has not been discovered.

14. Exposure to certain chemical compounds.

Chloracne is particularly linked to toxic exposure to dioxins, namely Chlorinated dioxins.

]]> http://www.ozrisk.com/14-acne-causes-that-every-woman-should-know/feed/ 19