Causes and Conditions of Acne

Acne is one of those conditions that has been baffling doctors for centuries. The exact cause of this dreaded skin condition is still unknown. Like the common cold, doctors can only determine the conditions that cause acne, not the exact cause itself. Albeit it is widely thought that a buildup of dirt and sweat in the skin pores promotes the formation of bacteria which swells up and causes acne.

Therefore, the best way to deal with acne is to treat the underlying conditions that lead to it. These can include anything from dirty skin to excess oil/fat in the diet. Controlling the conditions is paramount to controlling acne.

One of the conditions that lead to acne is excess hormones in the blood stream. During puberty, the body secrets a lot of hormones, chiefly androgens. This can cause stimulation and enlargement of the sebaceous glands on the skin (the site of acne). This is the reason why you see sudden outbursts of acne in people around pubery.

Excess hormones (androgens) stimulates the sebaceous glands and causes them to screte additional sebum (oil). This oil blocks the skin pores, creating conditions that facilitate the growth of bacteria. Once these bacteria colonies grow in size, they swell up, causing acne.

Besides hormones, excessive fat in the diet, or dirty skin can cause the pores to get blocked too. This is the reason why acne patients are advised to eat lean fruits and vegetables. Stress can also cause the skin to secrete extra oil, which, one again, can block pores and facilitate bacterial growth.

The best way to control acne is to eliminate these conditions. While you really have no control over the secretion of hormones during puberty, you can definitely cut down on oily foods, keep your skin clean, and try and reduce the amount of stress in your daily life.