What Are The Factors That Cause Acne? 7 Most Common Causes!
1. Hypersecretion glands – sebaceous glands are located in the deep epidermis. Each of them is “connected” with a narrow channel, called follicle, which is a hair. These glands produce an oily secretion known as sebum, which spreads to the skin through hair follicles, which lubricates them – and the action of the portion of skin surrounding each follicle separately. Each follicle has an external opening (skin surface), called gates. Sebaceous gland size is variable, the largest being associated with visible pores of the skin.
Sebaceous glands are stimulated by hormones to secrete sebum – especially by male hormones called androgens (which is found in a woman’s body, but, naturally, in a smaller percent then in a man). In periods marked by stress, these glands secrete a higher amount of androgen, causing the sebaceous glands and hypersecretion. Also, at puberty, sebaceous glands are overactive, as a result of changes in the hormones that occur in the body.
2. Blocking pores – Following hipersecretion, skin gets a shiny appearance, being “oily” to the touch. Acne occurs when pores (through which sebum flow – from sebaceous glands to the skin surface) become blocked, and the secretion of sebum remains captive. Pores are blocked by an aggregate composed of dead cells and seborrhea. This blocked pore, will develop a white or black point.
3. Bacterial infection – although acne is not caused by a bacterial infection, bacteria make the situation worse. Propionibacterium is a bacteria normally found in the skin, acting as a barrier to protect the skin against other harmful bacteria. When secretion of sebum is “trapped” in the follicles, the bacterium Propionibacterium intake increases the blocked pore. Harmful bacteria produce a number of chemical compounds that attack the skin, causing inflammation.
4. Inflammation of the skin is accompanied by symptoms such as redness, discomfort and heat of the skin. Inflammation occurs as a result of the immune system trying to reject a foreign substance – in this case either bacteria or irritating components of these products.
These four factors contribute to blocking the pores, which are manifested by the appearance of blackheads and whiteheads.
5. Blackheads are formed when pores are blocked near the skin surface. Usually not inflamed, and their color is due to a black pigment – and not waste deposited in the pores.
6. Whiteheads develop as a result of pore blockage occurred in the depth. In absence of drainage ways, sebum accumulates in the skin, thus forming the white or colored dots. Unlike blackheads, whiteheads shows a high probability of leading to pimples.
Pimples appear when the blocked follicle walls break. Sebum, dead cells and bacteria normally found in the skin and irritate the inside, the epidermis, forming small swelling.
7. Inflamed cysts are those older, red, lying in the depth of defects, indicating an infection located in a later stage.
