| While the exact cause of acne is not | | | | |
| completely understood, the general process is | | | | Genetics also play a part in the problem. |
| known and we have identified a number of | | | | There is credible evidence that acne is at |
| things that will trigger or make it worse. | | | | least partly hereditary, but we don't know |
| Acne is most commonly related to clogging of | | | | exactly why some people are affected and |
| the sebaceous glands, hair follicles or pores | | | | others are not. The general consensus is that |
| of they skin. Often this is due to increased | | | | genetics create the potential for problems. |
| levels of androgens, which are the hormones | | | | Genetics combined with environmental |
| that stimulate the sebaceous (oil) glands in | | | | conditions, like clogged pores, determines |
| the skin. It is also clear that the bacterial | | | | the severity of an outbreak. |
| breakdown of the skin's natural oils into | | | | |
| fatty substances is somehow involved. The | | | | Anything that effects the outer layer of skin |
| cause is more complex than just having dirty | | | | can have an effect on the development of |
| skin, drinking caffeine, stress or eating | | | | acne. This includes the clothes and postures |
| oily foods such as chocolates. These factors | | | | of an individual. Rubbing or abrading the |
| can contribute to outbreaks but research has | | | | skin, from tight fitting clothes on a hot day |
| shown that the cause of acne is actually a | | | | for instance, can create the conditions that |
| combination of many factors. | | | | will lead to infection. |
| | | | |
| The number one cause of acne is puberty. This | | | | While many people feel that eating chocolate |
| is due to changes in the hormone levels of | | | | or greasy foods causes acne, experts have |
| the body. This leads to the overproduction of | | | | found few links between diet and acne. |
| oils, which leads to clogged pores and | | | | Interestingly it may be refined |
| infection. An oily substance called sebum | | | | carbohydrates, rather than chocolate and |
| (it's job is to keep skin and hair lubricated | | | | greasy foods, that could be the cause of |
| and supple) is a main contributing factor. | | | | teenage acne and pimples. Loren Cordain and |
| During adolescence, excess amounts of sebum | | | | scientists at the Colorado State University |
| are produced causing pores to become clogged. | | | | in Fort Collins have published research |
| The pores then become infected with the | | | | showing that refined carbohydrates, like |
| bacteria P. acnes, thus the name acne. | | | | refined bread and cereal, unleash a series of |
| | | | reactions in the body, increasing the |
| Any buildup of dirt, oils or cosmetics on the | | | | production of bacteria that cause acne. In |
| skin can begin the cycle that results in | | | | any case, it is important to eat a healthy |
| acne. A lack of sufficient exfoliation of | | | | diet to keep your body in general good |
| skin cells can have the same result. The | | | | health. |
| sebaceous gland is just a few millimeters | | | | |
| below the skin's surface. If the top layer of | | | | The cause of acne is a subject that has been |
| skin is not regularly cleansed and exfoliated | | | | researched extensively by the medical |
| to remove pore-clogging dead cells, an | | | | community. It's likely that the true cause of |
| outbreak is likely. | | | | acne is a combination of many factors. The |
| | | | basic cause of acne is plugged oil glands. |
| Stress can be another major contributing | | | | This can be an inherited condition affected |
| factor for acne. Although people find this | | | | by changing hormone levels within the body. |
| very surprising, acne can become more serious | | | | Toxins and wastes are trapped in clogged |
| as a result of increased stress. The stress | | | | pores, causing bacterial infection. Many |
| alone does not cause the infection but it may | | | | scientists believe genetics, hormones, oil |
| lead to a hormonal imbalance. This imbalance | | | | production and diet all play a role. The good |
| causes excessive oil production which, you | | | | news is that numerous studies have shown that |
| guessed it, leads to clogged pores and acne. | | | | the "chocolate factor" is mostly a myth. |