Causes of Acne and Available Remedy

by Peter Lee

I always asked myself, why, why do I have acne and other people not. But worldwide there about 60 million people who suffering like I did.

I did some research and talked to my doctor to find the most common acne cause.

(1) Hormones: The number one acne cause is the production of sex hormones, known as androgen, that begins at puberty. This is why majority of acne sufferers are adolescents and teens. Hormones are responsible for then acne flare-ups during menstruation and pregnancy. When the sebaceous gland is stimulated by androgens, it produces extra sebum. In its journey up the follicle toward the surface, the sebum mixes with common skin bacteria and dead skin cells that have been shed from the lining of the follicle. While this process is normal, the presence of extra sebum in the follicle increases the chances of clogging and acne. For more information, read below.

(2)Stress: can also cause the production of hormones, such as cortisol, which can aggravate acne. Stress brings upon different hormone levels. With hormone changes the body prompts the skins oil glands to enlarge, secreting more oil. This causes white heads, black heads and pimples.

(3)Oily or heavy make up: Heavy make-up clogs the pores and oily make-ups add more oil, which only adds to the problem if oily skin already exists. Cosmetics, especially certain moisturizers, foundations and pomades contain lanolin, petrolatum, vegetable oils, butyl stearate, lauryl alcohol and oleic acid.

(4)Certain medications and steroids: Vitamins are good for your body, but an excess of vitamins B1, B6 and B12 can cause acne flare-ups. These vitamins are good for the skin, but avoid overuse. Diets: For some people, a diet that is high in refined carbohydrates and sugars can actually aggravate their acne. Over abrasive cleansing: Harsh exfoliators can damage skin and spread infections.

(5)Picking and squeezing: This can actually send the infection deeper into the skin and can cause scarring.

(6) Environmental irritants: such as high humidity and pollution. High humidity actually causes swelling of skin. Pollution is of course is a big cause for clogging your pores.

(7) Genes: Family members who are also acne sufferers. Acne is inherited and severe cases known as cystic acne usually come from heredity.

How hormones affect acne and skin

Implicated in a wide range of conditions and illnesses, hormones also play a role in the development of acne - inflammation of the skin that causes blackheads, whiteheads, and red spots usually called "pimples" or "zits." Androgens, hormones that are secreted in different amounts by both men and women, play a huge role in most cases of acne. Androgens stimulate the hormone-sensitive sebaceous glands, which produce oil known as sebum. Sebum, in turn, has been labeled as "the fuel that feeds the flame of acne."

Due to the presence of androgens, your oil glands go into overdrive. They produce extra oil, which block your follicles and clump together with the dead skin cells on the top layer of your skin. When this sticky mixture works its way into your pores, it acts just like a cork in a bottle — trapping oil and bacteria inside. Unfortunately, your oil glands cannot determine when to stop so they keep producing oil thus making the follicle swollen. Your bodys natural defense system — white blood cells — rush to the area to produce an enzyme that damages the wall of the follicle, allowing the contents of the follicle to enter the dermis. This process causes an inflammatory response that results in either red, painful bumps (papules); blackheads and whiteheads (comedones); pimples or acne. Contrary to common belief, this condition has nothing to do with what you eat, or how often you wash your face.

Hormones affect acne but having acne is not a sign of a hormonal imbalance. Changes in hormones, such as the specific point in your menstrual cycle (ovulation vs. having your period), pregnancy, or menopause all are normal, yet all can cause dramatic changes in your skin condition.

Female hormone levels change and vary throughout the monthly cycle. These fluctuations do cause acne to flare and diminish depending on the time of the month. The most effective way to treat menstrual cycle acne is to treat the acne itself by applying topical medications, oral antibiotics, or even changing or adjusting a birth control pill since the hormones found in these contraceptives are also related to flare-ups of acne.

Several symptoms can help your dermatologist identify hormonally-influenced acne: adult-onset acne, or breakouts that appear for the first time in adults; acne flare-ups preceding the menstrual cycle; a history of irregular menstrual cycles, increased facial oiliness; Hirsutism (excessive growth of hair, or hair in unusual places); and elevated levels of certain androgens in the blood stream.

Available Treatment for Acne

There are many treatment options available, from over the counter products such as Oxy-10, Clearasil, ProActiv to doctor prescribed medicine such as Accutane and antibiotics. I found that the maintaining a regular skin care regimen, eating a healthy diet, doing regular exercises and using the Clearpores Acne Cure Treatment systemis the best way to treat and prevent acne.

Peter Lee is an herbalist and skin specialist. He has helped countless people achieve beautiful, radiant, acne-free skin through his principles of beautiful skin from inside to outside through proper skin care regimen, eating healthy diet, and reducing stress through mediation.
To find out more information on how to achieve clear, radiant, acne-free skin, visit www.amazingacnecure.com

Tags: Acne Causes, Acne Treatment