The human body contains oils with which to lubricate the skin and hair. These oils are called sebum and are stored underneath the hair follicles. Pores do not contain oil storage and do not get clogged up, which results in acne. Hair follicles get clogged with oil and dead skin cells which travel along the hair follicle to the skin’s surface and form a sort of plug, according to the Mayo Clinic. When these follicles become infected, resulting in red spots with a white center, it’s called acne.
What Causes Acne
The American Academy of Dermatology suggests that hormonal imbalances can cause acne. When teenagers have raging hormones or women are beginning their period, their oil production increases. Bacteria lives on and in the human body. Some bacteria are good, carrying away the effects of the bad ones. The bad bacteria combines with the oils in the body, thickening and swelling, which, when it travels the hair follicle route, erupts on the surface of the skin as acne. Heredity could play a part in acne, but more studies are being done on that subject.
What Does Not Cause Acne
The Mayo Clinic says it’s safe to eat potato chips and french fries, because oils do not cause acne. Chocolate need not be pushed aside, nor sodas. That’s going to be a relief to many teens. Dirt and everyday grime does not affect acne, so scrubbing and scratching only aggravates the situation. Gentle washing with simple soap and water is the best skin care regime there is, says the Mayo Clinic.
A Few of Acne’s Effects
Both the American Academy of Dermatology and the Mayo Clinic report that popping zits can cause scarring. Acne alone causes depression and lack of self-esteem. Unfortunately, ours is a society in which youth and glowing perfection are the standard to which everyone tries to rise; knowing this, a person scarred with acne suffers untold self-esteem problems. Who knows, but this might cause more acne to appear?
