Acne is a very common skin condition caused by clogged pores. It affects almost every teenager and most adults, but it can also affect people at other life stages. Acne occurs when hair follicles get clogged with oil and dead skin cells, which creates a perfect environment for bacteria to grow. This causes inflammation and pimples to form on your face, neck, shoulders, chest and back. Although acne is often associated with teenagers because of changes in hormone levels during puberty (which usually peaks around age 15), adults who still have breakouts should keep reading because acne can last into adulthood if you don’t treat it right away!
Acne is a skin condition caused by clogged pores.
Acne is a skin condition caused by clogged pores. Pores are tiny openings in the skin that allow oil to travel to the surface, where it can be released as sweat or sebum. If your pores become clogged with dead skin cells, bacteria and sebum, they can become inflamed–and this is what causes acne lesions like pimples and blackheads.
Normal skin contains oil, which keeps it smooth and soft.
Overproduction of sebum in hair follicles can lead to acne.
Sebum is an oily substance that lubricates the skin. It’s produced by sebaceous glands in the skin, and its main purpose is to keep your hair and skin hydrated. When too much sebum builds up in your pores, it can clog them. This allows bacteria from within those clogged pores to enter and cause inflammation, which results in acne breakouts.
The best way to prevent this from happening is by reducing how much time you spend outside or under bright lights (which increases oil production), washing away excess oil or sweat with facial soaps & gel cleansers. If you are excessively oil you can use a salicylic cleanser (a common ingredient found in many over-the-counter acne treatments), also incorporating benzoyl peroxide gel to kill the bacteria and a Alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) to your skincare routine. Starting at the lowest percentage and working your way up to a stronger strength. Start these medicated products slowly into your routine as they can irritate if used too often if your skin is not used to them. Over time, your skin will adjust to these medicated products and you can increase your usage.Please do not spot-treat with these mediated products. You only need a pea-size amount, a thin layer of product all over your face, avoiding the corners of your eyes, nose, and mouth corners. If possible avoid dairy and salty foods altogether!
Bacteria can enter the pores and cause inflammation and acne.
Some people are more prone to acne than others.
Acne is more common in teenagers and young adults, but it can affect anyone at any age. Acne is also more common in girls than boys. While some people are born with acne-prone skin, other factors can cause your skin to break out:
- Your genes – Your family history may determine whether or not you get acne and how severe your outbreaks are.
- Hormonal changes – As our bodies mature from childhood into adulthood, hormonal changes can trigger a surge in oil production that leads to clogged pores and blackheads (comedones).
- Stress – Stress has been shown to trigger outbreaks of pimples on the face or back; studies show that stress increases levels of certain hormones linked with acne flare-ups by as much as 50%.
Dairy and salt intake can also cause acne and an acne flare up.
Acne can be hereditary, so you may inherit genes from your parents that make you susceptible to it.
Stress causes your body to produce extra hormones called androgens, which may trigger breakouts.
Stress causes your body to produce extra hormones called androgens, which may trigger breakouts. Stress can also cause you to make unhealthy lifestyle choices, such as eating junk food, skipping meals and not getting enough sleep. In addition to these physical effects of stress on acne-prone skin, it’s important to recognize how psychological factors can contribute to breakouts as well.
For example: If you have a stressful job or demanding social life that leaves little time for self-care or relaxation activities like meditation or yoga (which help balance hormones), then it makes sense that these pressures would lead directly back into the bedroom in the form of picking at pimples at night before bedtime–and waking up with even more blemishes than when we went under our pillowcases last night! Also, make sure you use a clean pillowcase every few nights, to prevent breakouts.
Too much caffeine can cause an acne flare up because your body can not differentiate between a stressful work day and too much caffeine. If 2 cups of coffee start to make you feel jittery, stick with 1 cup.
You can help control acne by making some changes in your diet and lifestyle
- Avoid dairy and salty foods. Salt and dairy foods can irritate your pores and cause pimples to form.
- Eat more fruits and vegetables. They are high in vitamins A and C, which are both antioxidants that help reduce acne by neutralizing free radicals that damage skin cells.
- Drink plenty of water. Dehydration can lead to an increase in oil production, which may cause breakouts on your face or back (if you’re prone to backne). If you’re not drinking enough water already, try adding ice cubes or lemon slices into your glass for flavor!
- Exercise regularly: exercise helps remove toxins from the body which can reduce inflammation caused by acne vulgaris aka “the common cold sore” virus known as HSV1 while also improving circulation so blood flow carries nutrients better throughout the whole body including those hard-to-reach areas like between our toes or elbows where many people tend suffer from ingrown hairs; additionally since sweating is part of any good workout session then this also helps remove impurities through sweat glands found all over our bodies. Please wash your face after every workout.
