What causes acne/pimples

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We have all come to know how to get rid of acne or pimples and to prevent the acne problem totally, but what we may not be knowing is what causes acne! Are you the one who is still in search of answer to the question “What are the causes of acne”? Then look no further as we have gathered some information on the reasons for the formation of pimples or acne on the skin.

Teenagers and folks who are in their 20s are an easy prey of acne problems. When the hormones react with the oil glands in the skin called the sebaceous glands, it leads to acne formation. Sebaceous glands produce sebum which is an oily substance which empties out on the surface of the skin through the pores. Bacteria living on the skin, get multiplied in the follicle openings due to the mixture of oil and cell.

There are many types of acne, like comedones, papules, nodules, pustules, cysts. Generally pimples occur on the face, neck, back, shoulders and chest. Severe acne may result in scarring of skin.

There are a lot of people who never get acne problems while there are others who are attacked by acne. The exact reason could not be figured yet. But then acne is caused by the increase in the androgen hormone, which is a male sex hormone. The androgens get increased during puberty in both male and female. It causes the oil glands to get larger and thus leading to production of sebum. Due to the changes in hormone during pregnancy or while starting or stopping intake of birth control pills, androgen might increase too.

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Genetics is the other cause of acne. One can inherit the acne problem from his or her parents. Then there are also some drugs which can cause acne, like medication for anti-epilepsy, androgen, prednisone, lithium. The cells of the follicles can also be changed by usage of greasy and sticky cosmetics and products which make them stick together, causing plugged pores. However, water based products have lesser chance of causing acne.

There are other factors too which might lead to acne like –

·       Friction due to rubbing or harsh scrubbing of the skin

·       Squeezing the blemishes or rashes

·       Pressure exerted due to tight collars or bags or helmets

·       Change in the hormonal level of adolescent girls during their menstrual cycle

·       Stress and anxiety

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