I am sure that every one of you is somehow familiar with acne. Almost all of us got that the skin disorder, right? Well, acne is usually defined as an inflammatory skin disease that generally affects the tiny pores that cover the face, arms, back and chest, even the oil glands attached to them. Technically, it is named acne vulgaris and considered as the skin disease caused by the interplay of follicular hyperkeratinization, the presence of Propionibacterium acnes bacteria in the follicular canal and sebum production.

Acne, according to certain studies, generally varies from quite mild to tremendously severe. It typically forms when the lining of the skin duct as well as the sebaceous glands start to work overtime. Naturally, it is noted that with the onset of acne, the lining of the duct actually shed cells which are then transported away to the shell of the skin by the sebum. Once the duct is blocked, it is when the sebum and cells begin to amass, forming then a plug, known by many as comedo.

Further studies have noted that once the plug stays below the plane of the skin, whiteheads or “closed comedo” occurs. If the plug boosts and pops out of the skin duct, it is the called “open comedo” or blackhead since the top is dark. As you may know, this is not absolutely dirt, thus it will not wash away. It is very interesting to know that the discoloration is basically caused by the buildup of the dark tint in our skin, known as melanin.

Acne usually occurs among many people, for about 80 percent of all teenagers, according to certain studies. The onset of acne is commonly noted among people, ages 25 to 30, particularly for women. In terms of its real cause, no one is actually certain as to what exactly causes the development of acne or why acne begins in adolescence. However, several factors are deemed contributors for the acne’s formation. It involves hereditary, which is deemed as the most important factor that plays a large role in the acne’s development. As what most people believe, if a member of your family, either your parents or your grandparents, had acne, there is also a great possibility that you will have acne too.

Today, acne is treated in different ways. So, acne doesn’t need to control your life. If you’ve got problems with it, there are actually some prescription drugs out there you can use to treat such disease. However, before serious problems will occur, you should first try to ask your doctor about the treatment that will fit to your needs.

Acne is a very common, chronic skin condition, yet its exact cause is still unknown. However, majority of the medical professionals believed that it stemmed from a number of related factors, and one of those is the rising hormone levels.

According to some studies, certain hormones known as androgens trigger the formation of acne as they enlarge the sebaceous glands in the skin. They then cause these oil-producing glands to increase sebum or oil production, which then leads to the formation of plugs and served as more food for the acne-causing bacteria. These hormones are actually present in both men and women, and usually surge at puberty. This fact will explain why teenagers develop armpit and pubic hair, and why boys develop facial hair and deeper voices, other than why acne forms.

Another potent cause of acne is the bacteria that normally thrive on the skin. These bacteria are known as Propionibacterium acnes, and they are responsible for causing the condition to develop. According to certain studies, acne developed as these bacteria emit substances that trigger redness and inflammation. Aside from that, they also make enzymes, which then dissolve the sebum or oil into the irritating substances that make the inflammation worse.

Estrogens, the female hormones, also play a large role in the development of acne particularly in girls. It is important to note first that a woman’s monthly menstrual cycle is a result of the changes in the estrogen levels in her body. This can actually explain why this skin condition in a female way get better and then get worse as she goes through her monthly menstrual cycle. For this cause, however, many doctors suggest treatments with birth control pills that contain the helpful estrogens.

Some people also believe that acne is caused by some genetic factors. As you may know, it can run in some families. So, many have thought that if you have parents or relatives who have bad acne, there is also a great possibility that you’ll get it. With the genetic factors, many have claimed that there’s no way for you to stop acne from coming.

Several other possible causes of acne are there which involve, stress, cosmetics, medication and diet. These are just actually minor factors that can cause acne, but many have found out that they are somehow great aggravators of this skin condition. Stress and diet, in particular, don’t actually cause it to form, but many have believed that these two will potentially aggravate acne and some other skin condition you have.

Knowing that no particular cause of acne is determined, perhaps the best move for you to take then is to find the right treatment that can help reduce and eliminate your skin condition to certain level. Consult your doctor for a recommendation.

The Acne and Hormones Connection

The development of acne is said to have a close connection with the changes in hormones. Certain studies have noted that people suffering from acne often have oily skin due to the high level of androgen and testosterone hormones present on the body. With this finding, many experts have noted that the balance of androgen and estrogen hormones is then required to maintain a healthy skin, a sort of Yin and Yang phenomenon. So, if hormonal imbalances occur, acne tends to develop.

The belief on the acne and hormones connection holds that acne, which is influenced by hormones, often starts around the age of 19 to 24, thus it can affect both the teens and mature women. At this stage, people will typically get lesions on the lower face, primarily in the chin as well as jaw line. It may also appear on the chest and back, although a majority of its victims are affected mainly on the face.

The acne and hormones connection further holds the idea that acne typically starts to appear when the body starts to produce androgen hormones. It is basically the androgens that incite the sebaceous glands to enlarge and emit sebum. The sebum then gets stocked in the follicle and then moves up to the hair shaft until it reached the exterior part of the skin. As this movement occurs, the sebum then blends with bacteria which cause the hair follicle blockade. It is merely the blocked follicles which become the breeding area for bacteria, resulting in acne.

It is worth noting that hormones basically regulate every function of the body. As you may know, sleep, growth and some other related things largely depend upon your hormones. So, as it is mentioned above, when your hormones are out of balance, certain problems like acne may arise. And, if you hormones are in balance then there is no reason for acne to emerge.

The connection between acne and hormones also explains the occurrence of acne in teens as well as in adults. In teens, it is commonly noted that during the onset of puberty, androgens is produced which holds a major role in the development of acne. And, in place of the adult, the acne and hormones connection believed that the menstrual cycle of every woman plays a role in its development. Certain reports in fact have noted that acne that worsens during a woman’s monthly cycle is not something that women will grow out of as they get older.