As with many diseases and health conditions, the causes of acne are not known for certain. Theories abound but no single cause of acne has been found.
We do know, however, what increases the risk of acne occurring and by understanding some of these risk factors -the believed causes of acne - steps can be taken to prevent acne from developing or at least reduce the risk.
Many researchers believe genetics are a major cause of acne. Some studies have established links between genetics and acne but this does not mean acne is an inherited disease. It is simply that the acne risk increases
for an individual if their parents suffered from acne.
As acne is most often associated with puberty it is not surprising that hormones are thought to play a part in the cause of this skin condition. Androgens produced during puberty stimulate the sebaceous glands and it is over stimulation of these glands that sees too much sebum mixing with accumulated dead skin cells, blocking pores, attracting bacteria and forming the lesions we know as acne. Any condition that stimulates hormonal changes - puberty, pregnancy, menstruation, menopause- increases the risk of acne developing.
Some medications are known to affect sebum production and the efficiency of the skinís ability to act as an organ of excretion. For this reason acne is listed as a known side effect for some prescription medications.
The use of skin preparations containing large molecules, which block pores rather than be absorbed by the skin, can also increase the risk of acne pustules forming. Products containing mineral oils and by-products from the petro chemical industry are the worst culprits. They leave the skin feeling silky smooth in the short term because they cannot be absorbed, but what is not absorbed sits on the surface blocking pores and follicles.
An over-enthusiastic use of harsh skin cleansers, lotions, scrubs and creams can trigger acne. If the skin is dried out through the use of products containing alcohol it will increase sebum production and too much sebum is known to be one of the prime causes of acne. Harsh scrubs and exfoliants can allow bacteria to penetrate the surface of the skin and cause infection.
Excessive friction can be a cause of acne. Friction from clothing or equipment can cause dead skin cells to block pores, restricting the natural flow of sebum. Add to this heat generated from that same friction, which encourages the pores to relax trapping more skin cells, creating an even larger blockage, and itís easy to see how an area of the body can quickly become acne prone.
Contact with pollutants, detergents, toxins and chemicals can cause a form of contact acne. Included here is anything which can come into contact with the skin and which is likely to block pores and follicles.
Picking of simple spots and squeezing of blackheads can cause damage to follicle walls which allows toxins and bacteria to spread underneath the skin. This type of mechanical treatment of spots can also leave open wounds through which bacteria can stream causing or worsening infection.
Whilst no one particular food has been identified as a cause of acne it may well be worth keeping a diary to see if there are any food groups which seem to make your acne worse.
None of these factors can claim to be the only causes of acne but they have been shown to increase the risk of an acne outbreak. For this reason it is worth bearing them in mind when seeking acne help and, where possible,eliminating the likely causes of acne from your life.
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