Cause of Acne

Cause of Acne

Skin Pore Blockage: as cause of acne.

One cause of acne is the blockage of skin oil secretions (sebum) that
normally pass out of the skin through the hair follicles and then through the
skin pores together with dead skin cells.

The clogged skin pore is one of the primary cause of acne, this is when the
pore of the skin is clogged with dried sebum, dead skin cells and bacteria.

There are two types of blockage that is the cause of acne;

1. Black Head (open comedone)- this is a cause of acne as
   black head develops as the dried sebum, dead skin cells and bacteria
   partially blocks the pore of the skin.
   
   
2. White Head (closed comedone)- this is a cause of acne as
   white heads develop when the dried sebum, dead skin cells and bacteria
   completely blocks the pore of the skin.

In both instances, the blockage of the skin pore promotes the growth of
bacteria propionibacterium acne which is normally present in the hair follicles
and a cause of acne. When this happens the bacterial growth breaks down the
sebum creating a substance irritating the skin. The resulting irritation
inflames the skin resulting to skin eruptions called acne pimples. When
irritation worsens, an abscess will form causing skin rupture, resulting to more
inflammation.

Cosmetic use can also be the cause of acne. Cosmetics blocks the skin pores
preventing the flow of oils and dead skin cells from the skin. This becomes the
cause of acne.

Hormones as cause of acne

Increase in hormone levels is also considered as a cause of acne. Hormone
imbalance aggravate the development of acne. That is why most teenagers suffer
more from acne. But as the hormone level stabilizes by mid 20's acne usually
disappears. Other conditions that involves hormonal changes such as menstrual
periods and during pregnancies may also be the cause of acne. The taking of oral
contraceptives and menopausal hormone replacement therapy may also be a cause of
acne.

Drugs can also be a cause of acne

Certain drugs such as corticosteroids and anabolic steroids can also be a
cause of acne pimples. These drugs stimulate the sebaceous glands secreting more
oil or sebum. When these oil or sebum are blocked this may be the cause of acne.

Others cause of acne

Other cause of acne maybe exposure to sunlight, stress and other skin
irritants that continuously comes in contact with the skin.