The Causes of Acne

Greetings! Sudhir Polisetty here. As a practicing General and Surgical Dermatologist with impressive credentials, I have been fortunate enough to treat many unique conditions. Over the course of my career at The Dermatology Center in New Albany, Indiana, one of the most common conditions patients sought treatment for is acne. According to an article on info.com, acne is a skin disease that involves the oil glands at the base of hair follicles, and is caused for several reasons.

Oil Overproduction-

As acne begins in the hair follicles, when the sebaceous gland produces too much sebum (oil) than needed, it mixes with common bacteria and skin cells and forms a type of plug. Most people who suffer from acne during adolescence, since puberty causes the sebaceous gland to grow. This could result in a:

Whitehead- When the follicle wall bulges.

Blackhead-When the plug reaches the surface of the skin.

Pimple-When the follicle becomes infected or inflamed.

Irregular Shedding of Skin Cells-

When skin cells shed regularly, they are able to surface without issues. On the other hand, when the skin cells shed irregularly, they mix with the oils and cause hair follicles to become plugged.

Buildup of Bacteria-

Once a follicle is plugged, bacteria begins multiplying in the surrounding area. By picking at the whitehead or blackhead, the bacteria multiplies more aggressively and creates a painful pimple.

Hormonal/Hereditary Causes-

The Mayo Clinic claims that genetics plays a large role in how much sebum the body produces and individuals are more susceptible to acne if their parents also suffered from the condition. Hormonal shifts, such as pregnancy, menstruation, and menopause can also affect a person's complexion.

Other Causes-

Some breakouts can be triggered from pressure and friction. Common culprits include telephones, backpacks, and make-up. Heavy concealers or other products that are non-comedogenic can cause clogged pores or actually worsen the condition.

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Thanks for reading!

Sudhir Polisetty