Causes of Acne & Other Acne Information

Acne is blind. The most common skin condition, acne affects people of all ages, races, socioeconomic statuses and genders at some point during their lifetimes. It is not life-threatening, but most people experiencing severe acne will agree that it significantly alters their lives and self-esteem. It can leave scars on the surface of the skin, as well as invisible emotional scars. Unfortunately, general knowledge concerning the causes of acne is scarce. Hormones and acne are typically lumped together, but that is the extent of most people’s acne information. Understanding the various causes of acne is a crucial component to successfully treating and preventing it.

What is Acne?

A skin condition that manifests itself in various blemishes including white-heads, blackheads, red bumps, pimples and, in severe cases, pustules or cysts, acne is essentially an infection that occurs when pores become clogged. If the clogged pore closes, it is a white-head, but if the pore remains open it is a blackhead. Most people with acne have mild, non-inflammatory symptoms and sporadic breakouts of whiteheads and blackheads. Inflammatory acne occurs when whiteheads become infected with bacteria and swell, producing pimples and pustules. Unfortunately, some people with severe inflammatory acne will experience deep cysts and pustules that need treatment by a dermatologist to prevent disfiguring scars.

Causes of Acne

Although certain outside factors (dirt, grime, makeup, etc.) are contributing causes of acne, the common assumption that hormones and acne are related is fairly accurate. The scientific explanation for this phenomenon is as follows:

This acne information might strike you as somewhat obscure, so here’s a simpler explanation. Your skin is covered in tiny holes called pores that allow it to breathe. These pores contain oil glands beneath the skin (properly referred to as sebaceous glands) that produce oil to moisten the hair and skin (also known as sebum). This oil is not always a bad thing; usually the glands produce an adequate amount of oil that maintains your skin’s young, fresh and healthy glow. However, when these glands come into contact with a hormone called DHT (Dihydro Testosterone), they produce excess oil that plugs pores, causing the glands to generate more oil and swell. White blood cells then attack the bacteria, causing the comedone or pustule. This acne formation process generally begins weeks before blemishes become visible.

This is where the relationship between hormones and acne enters the equation.  Although many factors correlate with acne production, the rate at which your skin produces DHT levels is critical.  Genetics play a significant factor in the body’s predisposition to this, and one’s family history is indicative of the nature of DHT production.  In short, if one or both parents suffered from severe acne, you are likely to suffer from moderate to severe acne as well.

The Lasting Effects of Acne

People without severe acne cannot understand the effects of this condition on one’s life.  Severe inflammatory acne may cause disfiguring scars.  If you have severe acne, it is important to visit a dermatologist who can prescribe prescription topical creams and oral antibiotics to lessen the symptoms.  For the most severe cases, oral drugs like Accutane and laser treatments are available and have helped many sufferers recover from the damaging effects.

Although skin treatments are available, there is nothing a dermatologist can do to change the social and emotional implications of acne.  It can severely alter a person’s confidence level, lead to an unfulfilling social life, encourage an unsatisfactory performance in school or at work, or even cause personality disorders.  People suffering from severe acne are traumatized by its effects.  Due to the relationship between hormones and acne, teenagers often suffer the worst at the hands of this condition.

How Can I Treat Acne?

To treat acne effectively, you must begin by treating the causes of acne.  Clearogen is the only over the counter medication that attacks acne at the root by blocking DHT formation.  Your glands will be free to produce the good oils without hindrance from negative hormones.  Clearogen is successful when treating non-inflammatory acne and mild to moderate inflammatory acne.  For cases of severe inflammatory acne, visit your dermatologist to learn about controlling the condition.  Once the condition is under control, Clearogen will keep acne at bay.  To learn more about what Clearogen can do for you, read our About Clearogen page.