What is Acne and Why Does it Occur?

Acne is a health condition or disorder of the skin that affects the hair follicles or the pores of the skin. The technical term for this is the pilosebaceous unit. It is the most common skin disorder in the United Kingdom as well as in the United States and Canada. Common acne is given the name “acne vulgaris” and it is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the skin.

The Look of Acne

If you develop acne, you will know it for sure as it is very obvious to the eye! It will show itself on your skin in the form of pimples (sometimes referred to as “zits”), blackheads, and/or whiteheads. Acne most often appears on the face but it can also develop on your neck, back, chest, and upper arms. In some sufferers acne is very mild. In others, it is moderate while for others it can be very severe.

Why Does Acne Appear?

There is no one cause for acne to appear on the skin. It is believed that a variety of factors can come into play to cause its development. For instance, acne is more common in those who have oily skin or combination skin. This is because excess oil can get trapped in the pores of the skin and from there can turn into blackheads.

Acne generally makes its appearance when an individual enters puberty. This occurs because there is an increase of the androgen hormones in the human body at this period in a person’s life. Androgens are responsible for stimulating the sebaceous glands. The stimulation of these glands causes a complexion to become oilier in nature. It also makes a person more prone to experiencing breakouts on their face. 

Medical professionals believe that androgen hormones play a very large role in the appearance and development of acne. Besides the period of puberty, hormonal changes that occur during menstruation, pregnancy, periomenopause, and menopause can cause acne to appear.

Comedogenic skincare and hair care products can also contribute to the development of acne, as can cosmetics that are oily. Always choose non-comedogenic facial products and cosmetics because they will not clog your pores.

Steroids and estrogen medications can also have an impact upon the development of this skin condition. Acne is believed to have a hereditary link. That means that if one or both of your parents had it then you are likely to end up with it as well.   

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