Acne Causes
Unveiling The Top 5 Myths On Acne Causes
Differentiating between fact & fiction…
Like many other common disorders and diseases, there have been several myths and unrealistic assumptions associated with acne causes. The main cause of the formation and spread of these myths is lack of proper understanding of the disorder, little or no knowledge about the development of disease and unnecessary delay in diagnosis and treatment of acne.
The following article attempts to explain some of the common myths about acne causes and also throws light on the actual reality behind each of these myths.
Myth 1: Acne is caused by poor hygiene or washing
Fact: Acne is not caused by poor hygiene, sweating, or not washing. These factors do not cause the clogged pores that contribute to acne development. While medicated washes containing benzoyl peroxide, resorcinol, salicylic acid, and sulfur are one form of treatment for acne, simple soap and water does not treat the condition.
Myth 2: Acne is caused by diet
Fact: Acne is not caused by diet. No scientific connection has been found between diet and acne. No food, not chocolate, fries, pizza, or any other food, has been shown to actually “cause” acne. However, diet can play an important role in lessening or aggravating the intensity of the disease.
Myth 3: There is no treatment or cure for acne
Fact: Acne does not need to be allowed to run its course. The condition can be treated as there are prescription medications and over-the-counter (OTC) products (although medicines are never free of side effects) for it. There have been also some natural or herbal treatments for acne that have, to date, no reported side effect.
Myth 4: I can prevent acne by washing my face more often
Fact: No. You cannot prevent acne by washing your face more often. Dirt is not one of the acne causes. It is the overproduction of oil (sebum) from within the skin rather than the surface oil/dirt that leads to acne.
Myth 5: Squeezing a pimple may help me get rid of those notorious pimples
Fact: Absolutely not. In fact, quite the opposite is true. Squeezing an acne pimple may cause the contents of the follicle to rupture into the tissue rather than being expressed to the surface of the skin. This can cause tissue damage and scarring. Sometimes a medical provider will open a pimple or cyst with a special instrument designed not to damage the tissue, but you should avoid squeezing or picking pimples.
While there are thought to be many acne causes, here are a few of the things that are commonly believed to be a contributing factor:
- Genetics. If your parents or siblings suffered from acne growing up then it is likely you will follow suit.
- Medications and steroids, although sometimes used to treat acne can also sometimes cause it to flare up.
- Oily make-up especially certain foundations and even moisturizers can clog the skin’s pores.
- Very harsh and caustic facial cleansers or toners that dry out the skin which results in the body producing more sebum to protect itself which means more spots.
- Picking existing spots or blackheads can only spread the infection and can cause acne scarring which in severe cases of acne causes permanent scarring.
Acne in the vast majority of people; usually begins at puberty but it is not just confined to the young. Acne can plague individual’s way into adult life even in their forties, fifties and beyond. This is not as common but still very possible.
The body goes into overdrive and produces hormones called androgens. Androgens make the sebaceous glands enlarged and over stimulated. This means that the extra sebum (oil) that is produced by the sebaceous glands gets combined with bacteria and dead skin cells on the skin’s surface which blocks pores. Inside the blocked pores, bacteria multiply which causes spots, pimples and pustules that are associated with acne.
It is not just the spots themselves that some unfortunate people have to contend with but also the possible acne scars that can be left as a constant reminder if not treated sufficiently and in time.
You can rest assured that spots/acne is not caused by dirt or a lack of hygiene and you can not catch acne from anybody else, it is not contagious or infectious.
What you eat is not directly associated with acne causes although drinking plenty of water, exercises, getting plenty of beauty sleep and eating lots of fruit and veg is definitely beneficial as what you put into your body will definitely show on the outside.
In most cases, people generally grow out of acne usually in their mid to late twenties as with age the skin is less youthful and perhaps less greasy as it once was, although everyone is prone to a spot breakout now and then; it is hard to go through life without suffering from a single acne pimple.
What Causes Pimples?
There are many factors that cause pimples/acne and it varies in its severity. Stress can cause flare ups in some, side effects of certain medications, even allergies. A bout of acne can be short lived or it can persist for several months or several years. Some people will only get very mild pimples, others will get very severe acne although this is thought to run in the family, so if acne or pimples have occurred in your family It is likely you will suffer from a few in your lifetime.
Many things can irritate or make acne flare up but pimples are caused from when the hair follicles in your pores in your skin get blocked and the sebaceous gland produces an excessive amount of oil. Although no one is totally sure why acne occurs, it is believed it can be a result of the following:
- Bacteria accumulating in the sebaceous glands
- A collection of dead skin cells
- Overactive sebaceous glands producing too much oil due to hormone fluctuations
- Using oily make up, such as greasy foundations and overly thick moisturizers
The sebaceous gland gets clogged when the oil (otherwise known as sebum) cannot leave the open pore so turns into an obstruction. The skin around the pore can swell and a white plug formed of dead cells of oil can form, this is what is what is known as a whitehead. If the plug does not fully close the pore you get a black appearance which is called a blackhead.
Pimples can become infected when the whiteheads rupture underneath the skin’s top layer. This allows the dead cells, bacteria and oil to seep into the surrounding tissue. If this outbreak is very widespread and severe, you could develop an infection called cystic acne which is very large, unsightly and painful red bumps Even if the boils disappear you could be left with permanent scarring.
Prompt treatment of this is essential to minimise the possibility of permanent scarring so visit your doctor as soon as possible. It is important to remember that anyone can suffer from spots at any time even after treatment but will be a lot less severe.
Conclusion For Acne Causes
Although there are many factors involved in acne causes, the good news is there are some excellent treatments available, some natural and some prescription, but if you seek the advice of a doctor or skin specialist you will find a solution that suits you.
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