Acne - What Causes It?


Many individuals suffer from acne, not just adolescents. Acne is caused by normally occurring bacteria, Propionibacterium acnes. This bacterium gets trapped in plugged skin pores or follicles, especially in the face. In an attempt to escape, the bacterium produce enzymes used to break down the sebum (the excretion produced by sebaceous glands) blocking the escape routes. When the enzymes go to work one of the side effects is inflammation in the area.

Light to moderate cases of inflammation show up as pimples and bumps. This type of acne is known as superficial acne. If the inflammation is deeper within the skin and pores, resulting in cysts and nodules, it is called cystic acne.

The excess sebum is actually a byproduct of testosterone production in the body. This is why young adolescent boys going through puberty and other individuals who are taking testosterone enhanced dietary supplements most often exhibit signs of acne. In women, the hormonal changes occurring before the menstrual cycle may also cause sporadic outbreaks.

A second cause of acne can be traced to diet and a lack of essential fatty acids. The body needs a particular quantity of essential fatty acids to remain in balance. The typical Western diet does not provide adequate amounts for most people. In place of essential fatty acids, trans-fats and other non-essential fats are found in large quantities. This fat ratio imbalance tips the scale in favor of excess sebum production leading to outbreaks of acne.

Particular chemicals and drugs may also be a factor in the appearance of acne. Any drug with added hormones or that change the hormonal balance of the body is a possible culprit. Corticosteroids and industrial pollutants may also be a contributing factor.

Overall health is crucial to remaining acne free. This includes a healthy diet, improved colon health, gentle but effective skin care and decreased exposure to chemicals and drugs which can affect the natural hormone levels of the body.

Rachel Dayer runs and operates http://www.mustask.com - a health related e-zine. Visit her site for more health related articles.


MORE RESOURCES:

Health Tip: Factors That May Aggravate Acne in Women
U.S. News & World Report
(HealthDay News) -- Acne, the most common skin disease, is not a dangerous condition. But it can lead to permanent scarring. Changes in hormone levels ...
Health Tip: Factors That May Aggravate Acne in WomenNewsday (subscription)

all 3 news articles »


Acne Unveils 'Transvestite and Cross-Dressing' Collection
TIME
Acne, the Stockholm-based fashion house known for its high-end denim, has released a collection of shirts meant to merge high fashion and gender-bending. ...



New York Daily News

Acne Launches Transvestite Shirt Collection (PHOTOS)
Huffington Post (blog)
Swedish label Acne, in conjunction with Candy magazine, has launched a collection of three shirts aimed specifically at cross-dressers and transvestites, ...
He/She's got the look: Swedish clothing line ACNE launches shirts aimed at ...New York Daily News
Acne launches range for transvestitesThe Vine
Acne launches a new transexual collectionwallpaper.com
Gawker (blog) -The Local.se
all 6 news articles »


Fashion Week Staff Picks
New York Times
And the DJ Jacques Renault will be at the Acne party at Fashion's Night Out to satiate my second guiltiest pleasure (after Popeye's): disco.” Friday, Sept. ...



Medicis Announces New Patent for SOLODYN(R)
MarketWatch (press release)
The new patent, entitled "Minocycline Oral Dosage Forms for the Treatment of Acne," relates to the use of dosage forms of SOLODYN which provide ...

and more »


PR Web (press release)

New, Exclusive Strength: Tretin-X® 0.0375%(tretinoin) Cream
PR Web (press release)
New strength offers a JUST RIGHT approach for acne patients. Triax Pharmaceuticals, LLC announced today the approval of a new, topical retinoid with an ...

and more »


Fridge fixins for a fabulous face
Marist College The Circle
Spas and salons offer facials that make your skin softer, reduce acne, make pores appear smaller, get rid of blackheads and more. ...



Fashion line aims for androgyny
UPI.com
Fashion label Acne said it teamed with Candy Magazine, a publication dedicated to transvestism, transexuality, cross dressing and androgyny, ...

and more »


The FADER (blog)

Acne Blurs the Gender Binary with a Transsexual Collection
The FADER (blog)
Leave it to Acne to shake things up a bit. In conjunction with Candy, a zine that celebrates transsexuality, they've released this gender-neutral collection ...



How birth control affects hair growth
Helium
A wide range of things can be affected by hormonal birth control, including mood, sleep patterns, weight, breast size, acne, PMS, and hair growth. ...


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