Acne is a skin condition and skin problem that almost all teenagers experience to some extent. The hormonal changes that occur during puberty stimulate the hair-producing follicles beneath the skin, causing them to become larger. At the same time, the oil-producing glands within the follicle produce more oil.
A pimple starts when oil combines with dead skin cells within the follicles to form a clog. Bacteria are naturally present in the follicle, as well. The bacteria feed off of the dead skin cells and oil combination and multiply. The result is a minor infection that is accompanied by inflammation. Inflammation is what causes the puffiness, pain and redness that accompany a pimple.
After puberty, when hormonal levels become more stable, the severity of acne and the frequency of breakouts typically reduce. However, some people struggle with the problem throughout their lives.
Certain things are recognized as triggers for outbreak. The hormonal changes that accompany a woman's menstrual cycle may contribute to breakouts. Stress is known to increase the severity of breakouts, although it is not considered a "cause" of face acne.
In some cases, overgrowth of certain kinds of bacteria is involved. Bacteria are naturally present on the skin's surface and in the pores of the skin. That's why cuts and scrapes can easily become infected if they are not cleaned quickly and thoroughly.
Normally, the bacteria do not cause a problem, unless there is a cut or scrape. In the case of acne, some strains of bacteria multiply faster than normal. It is pretty much agreed upon in the scientific community that the P. acnes bacteria is a cause of acne, especially when the condition is severe.
Certain strains of staph bacteria may also be involved in severe or moderate cases of acne. Over the years, staph bacteria have become more resistant to common antibiotics that were originally effective against the strains. MRSA (methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus) infections have caused problems for many hospitals, even shutting down whole wings temporarily.
Another possible cause of face acne is genetics. Although no gene has been identified as the "cause" of the problem, there are several possibilities. Geneticists are not spending a lot of time on this type of research. But studies and surveys seem to indicate that the condition does run in families. Cystic acne, in particular, seems to have a genetic component.
Certain foods may trigger outbreaks in sensitive individuals. Not everyone will experience an outbreak after eating chocolate but many people will. The latest research indicates that the total glycemic load of a person's daily diet may be the issue. Diets with a high glycemic load trigger inflammation in the follicles, acting much like the hormones of puberty.
If you have face acne, you probably want to know how to get rid of it. There's not much you can do about hormonal changes and you can't change your family. You could keep a food diary to see if certain foods trigger outbreaks and try to eat more foods with a low glycemic index. That would probably be good for your health in the long-run anyway.
In many cases, a good skincare regimen helps a lot. No, it's not that you are not cleaning your face enough. You might actually be over-cleaning. If you read my next article, you can learn about skincare products that could help you get rid of face acne for good.
You can learn more about the solutions for getting rid of acne and other skin problems remedies by clicking the SKIN PROBLEMS REMEDIES in the resource box below.
