So far, the causes of acne have remained somewhat mysterious due to the fact that some people are affected while others are not. The most common theories on the cause of acne include hormones, hair follicles, skin oils and partial heredity. Although a primary cause is yet to be discovered, by understanding the biology behind acne, you can avoid some common problems that aggravate this common skin condition.

Excess production of sebum is believed to be the biggest culprit. Sebum is simply a greasy matter whose main function is to keep the skin and its hair well lubricated and lithe. When the oily substance (sebum) is produced, it blocks or clogs the surface of the skin, thus providing a conducive environment for the growth of bacteria. The bacteria grows and proliferate, which then makes the area of the skin red and inflamed and results in pimples popping up.

Function of Testosterone

Testosterone, (although present in both females and males) is known to be a male hormone that causes the excess production of sebum. When the body changes during puberty, it reacts to testosterone resulting in the production of excess sebum. The imbalanced reaction which mainly takes place during adolescence makes the skin, chiefly the upper torso and the face to be very oily. The oil then mix with dead skin cells and block the hair follicles. When adolescents reach their early 20s, the body by that time is able to control its reaction to testosterone and acne tends to clears up.

Theory of Hair Follicle

Recent scientific studies have revealed that narrowing hair follicles could actually be linked to causing acne. Some evidence hint that hair follicles may be restricted for various reasons such as irregular cell binding, cells shedding within the follicles and water retention which tends to make the skin swell. When the hair follicles narrow, dead cells will not be expelled from the body as usual, thus creating an upsurge underneath the skin. When it is combined with sebum, it offers a perfect condition for acne.

Worsening Matters

Squeezing pimples is irresistible to many people which worsen the condition by spreading the bacteria to unaffected areas. What is worse, squeezing the pimples may cause scarring, at times even permanent scarring. Everything that comes in contact with the face should be clean always; this includes telephone handsets, eyeglasses and the hands. Some people touch their faces without even knowing it, many times all through the day. Hands contain bacteria and oils that will worsen the acne symptoms. Long hairs, which also tend to come in contact with the face, should also be kept oil free and clean. You should also limit the use of such things as fabric accessories like headbands and hats.

Acne is also aggravated by diet, stress, skin irritation, hormonal actions like menstrual cycles for women and certain medications. Medications such as halogens, barbiturates, androgens, lithium, and anabolic steroids which are used for body building are associated with acne. Although there are speculations that food such as fast food and chocolate cause acne, there is no substantial proof of that. Skim milk products however have been scientifically linked to acne.

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