Acne is a disorder of the sebaceous glands that lie at the base of each hair follicle. Sebaceous glands make sebum, an oily substance that normally keep the hair and skin properly lubricated to help protect it. In acne, the normal transport of sebum out of pore is impeded. As sebum is accumlated in the skin pore, it forms a moist breeding ground for the bacteria that cause pimples.
During puberty, the body undergoes hormonal changes which often cause sensitivities and imbalances in the body, such as 'raging hormones'. This may cause the sebaceous glands to produce excess sebum. In some people, skin cells do not shed as quickly and the oil and skin cells cause a 'plug' in the pore. These plugs traps bacteria in the pores which cause them to swell and form tender red bumps, causing blackheads, whitehead pimples and cysts.
If this plug reaches the surface of the skin and is exposed to air, it turns black which many mistake as 'dirt' in the pores. If the wall of the plugged pore breaks near the skin's surface the bump usually becomes a pimple. And if the wall breaks deeper under the skin, acne nodules or cysts can form. This is called cystic acne and is the type that can lead to pit-like scars.
In darker skin types pigmentation in the skin can cause surface blemishes; unlike scars, these will fade with time and can be treated by exfoliation and some skin renewal ointments and by avoiding picking at and squeezing the skin.
Acne can be disfiguring for some individuals and aside from physical scarring of the skin, it's main effects are psychological and emotional, causing depression and low self-esteem.
See "How to Treat Acne" to understand treatment options for acne.
Contributing Factors to Acne
No one escapes the odd flare-up, but if acne is in your genes you may get more than others. But acne can be successfully controlled with lifestyle changes, skin care products and prescription medications.
Other factors that contribute to acne include environment, skin type, hormonal imbalances, diet, allergies, smoking and the use of certain drugs such as steroids, lithium, oral contraceptives and the illegal substance, Ecstasy.
Acne is not caused by improper washing or lack of hygiene, in fact scrubbing the skin too hard or using harsh cleansers can be counterproductive as it irritates and over-dries the skin, causing further sebum production and sensitivity. However, the appropriate cleansers and skin cleansing routines can help to control acne.
Other factors that may aggravate existing acne include makeup, sunscreen lotions, heavy moisturizers, hair products and oils from the environment or cooking. People prone to acne should look for skin care products made for oily or combination skin types and avoid heavy moisturizers and creamy lotions, cleansers and makeup. Gel based products are usually better for oily skin types. Moisturize by drinking plenty of water which also helps purge toxins and keep skin healthy and hydrated.
Food and Acne
Clear skin and overall good health requires regular exercise, adequate sleep, avoiding excessive exposure to the sun and pollutants, as well as a diet rich in important nutrients.
Research shows that food does not actually cause acne, but certain types of diets and sensitivities to certain foods may exacerbate acne. An example is the iodine in kelp, a a seaweed that is an ingredient you may not even be aware exists in some of the foods you eat. Iodized salt can also provoke acne break outs. Deep-fried food, chocolate and sugary snacks may also inflame skin. To rule out that a food sensitivity is worsening acne, suspect foods are avoided for 3 to 4 weeks and then added back into the diet to see if skin is affected.
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