Acne is a disastrous skin condition that can leave you with a face full of zits and even permanent scars that can make you look like a cottage cheese. Prevention is still the best treatment for acne.
Knowing its causes will give you the full understanding of the nature of the disease and how you can spare your skin from the zits.
What is Acne?
This word is from the word “acme” (Greek) which literally means “highest point” or “spot”. After hundreds of decades, this skin disease is now referred to as “acne”. This condition involves your sebaceous glands also known as oil glands.
You may find it not serious yet acne can leave you with more serious problems such as acne scars.
The Oil Glands
The gland which produces sebum or oil is called sebaceous gland. They are the root cause of acne development. These glands are connected to the pores of your skin through tiny canals known as follicles.
The oily substances maintain balance on your skin and spare it from signs of skin aging such as wrinkles. However, the production of oil may make your skin prone to the skin disease called acne.
How It Develops
Your follicles may get inflamed which is characterized by redness and swelling of the skin. Red bumps may start to appear and what is even worse is that you can have the zits which are filled with the nasty pus.
The most common location for acne is your face. This ugly bump can also develop on your neck, shoulders, back and chest. Other types of skin blemishes related to acne are blackheads and whiteheads.
The culprit to these skin conditions is still an overactive sebaceous gland.
What are the Causes?
The exact cause of acne is yet unknown. However, there are many factors that can contribute to its development. Some experts believe that the food that you eat can cause breakouts.
Dairy products such as milk are known to cause pimples or acne. Hormone changes which usually occur in puberty are also known culprit to acne development.
The androgen production in your body may cause acne.
This hormone makes your oil glands produce more sebum which in turn makes your skin prone to the growth of bacteria. Skin experts also do believe that genetics has something to do with acne development.
You may notice that you are not the only one in the family that has the problems with the zits.
Are you taking any drug or substance that can increase the growth of acne on your face? Lithium which is a psychiatric drug may cause breakouts to your skin. Tell you dermatologist about the drugs that you may be using at the moment.
Acne is a disastrous skin condition. However, your knowledge about the factors to its development makes it highly preventable.
If you want to try over-the-counter acne product then make sure you do your own research and read the reviews on the internet before buying one.