The root cause of acne lies within underlying anomalies of the human body. Although seemingly hereditary, some parts of the general population are highly affected, while some appear completely immune to it. To understand the primary cause of acne, a deep dive into the biology of the human body is pertinent. There are sebaceous glands below the epidermal layer of the skin. Excessive production of sebum, the oily substance secreted by the sebaceous glands functioning only to keep the hair follicles lubricated, is the evildoer behind acne. As dirt, pollutants from the environment, and dead skin cells begin to accumulate around the follicles, the sebum gets constricted, which in turn leads to pimples and acne. As the bacteria multiply, the surface of the skin becomes red and inflamed, and the infamous pimple is born.
Excess production of sebum is caused by an imbalance of hormones in the endocrine system in both males and females. During puberty, the body changes in its reaction to testosterone and estrogen, thereby producing extra sebum. This biological reaction, occurring mainly during adolescence, causes the upper layer of the to become oily. The sebum from sebaceous glands combined with regularly shedding dead skin cells to block hair follicles. The body usually regulates its reaction to hormones by the early 20s, and then the annoying acne clears up. Although, adults with unhealthy diets and irregular sleep patterns have fallen victims to acne. It’s been said time and time again, that most health problems are usually generated by an unhealthy stomach. Narrowing hair follicles and ingrown hair due to excessive shaving could be involved with the production of acne- statistically shown in a recent scientific study. Statistical evidence shows that hair follicles might get restricted for various reasons, including the shedding of epidermal cells inside the hair follicle, improper binding of cells, or swelling due to water retention. As the hair follicles start to narrow, dead skin cells do not get eliminated from the body, creating a buildup beneath the skin. This is combined with sebum from the sebaceous glands, producing ideal conditions for acne production. Most people can’t resist squeezing their pimples. This may make the condition worse, as the bacteria spread to the surrounding skin. This can cause acne scars and permanent damage to the skin. Even touching the face can worsen acne. Without realizing it, most of us touch our faces many times throughout the day. The problem is that our hands contain dirt, oils, and bacteria that will increase the acne symptoms. All objects, including eyeglasses and telephone handsets, that make contact with the face must be clean. Hair, particularly long hair, also touches your face, so it is important to keep your hair clean and oil-free. Fabric accessories such as headbands and Covid-masks should be kept neat, as dirt can easily accumulate in them, making matters worse for the already inflamed skin.
Factors that seem to aggravate acne conditions include diet, skin irritation, stress, hormonal activities such as menstrual cycles, and certain medications. Few adults develop intolerance to certain foods such as dairy products, overly spicy, fried, and processed foods which in turn causes excessive inertia and heat in the body aggravating pre-existing acne. Medications associated with acne include corticosteroids, anticonvulsant, barbiturates, androgenic steroids, DHEA, bromides, and iodides.
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