Acne Causes & Effect - Understanding The Basics Of Acne

Even today people are not so sure about acne causes & effect. Many people have the misconception that acne is caused due to dirty skin. Understanding the causes and effects of acne can help us deal with our acne problems better.

Causes

Acne causes & effect can vary in different people. Let us discuss the causes first. The main cause of acne is blocked pores. Pores could get blocked due to oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria. Blocked pores lead to blackheads or whiteheads. These are the mild forms of acne. However, many people are inflicted with the severe forms of acne such as nodular and cystic acne. Blocked pores create an ideal environment for a bacterium called Propionibacterium to flourish. This bacterium often causes acne in people of all ages.

Acne is usually seen at the onset of puberty. Hormonal changes that the body undergoes during this phase in life are cited as one of the causes of teen acne. Male hormones called androgens are the main culprit. They are present both in males and females. Androgens cause overproduction of oil, which end up clogging our pores, thus leading to acne.

In women, hormonal acne could also be due to menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause. In some women even birth control pills can cause acne. Experts have also pointed to heredity as one of the causes of acne. They argue that if a family member has acne, chances are that you will also have to deal with acne at some point of time in life. Diet and stress have also been linked to acne; however, there is no conclusive study yet to prove this.

Recently a study came out that linked smoking to acne in women. The study was conducted by Italian researchers in San Gallicano Dermatological Institute in Rome. They found that non-inflammatory type of acne is more common in smokers. They also discovered that smokers who suffered from acne in their teens are four more times likely to suffer from adult acne.

Effects

By now, looking at acne causes & effect, you must be clear about the causes. Now let us discuss the effects of acne. Acne has both physical and psychological effects. Acne often causes scarring. Squeezing and popping of any type of acne will cause scarring. Certain types of acne like, nodular and cystic acne, cause severe scarring. Cystic acne is one of the most severe forms of acne and is quite painful as well.

Anyone who suffers from severe facial acne will tell you how embarrassing it is to step out with it. People with acne often become depressed and lose their self-confidence. Many people also need psychological counseling to get over their acne effects. A better understanding of acne can encourage people to get help as soon as possible.