Acne Medicine :
Your resource for acne information
Acne Causes
Acne pimples are the result of clogged pores and are not, as commonly believed, due to poor hygiene or diet. In fact, four physiological factors are at work in the formation of acne:
How Acne Forms
Factor 1 - Increased Skin Oils (sebum)
Healthy skin and hair is naturally softened and lubricated by sebum, an oily secretion of the sebaceous glands. At puberty, changing hormone levels prompt various physical changes including an increase in the production of sebum by the sebaceous glands.
Sebaceous glands reside along the hair shaft. The excreted sebum normally travels up along the hair shaft and out through the opening of the hair follicle (pore) onto the skin's surface.
Factor 2 - Rapid Shedding of Dead Skin Cells
Beginning at puberty, the cells of the follicle lining tend to shed more rapidly creating a build up of dead skin cells. In normal pores, the dead skin cells mix with sebum and flow up and out to the surface of the skin. In acne-prone skin, accumulating skin cells and sebum stick together and form a soft plug that clogs the skin pore. These clogged pores known as "microcomedones" are invisible to the eye and are the "spark plug" of acne.
Factor 3 - Bacteria
This mixture of oil and cells makes a perfect environment for the growth of a normal skin bacteria known as Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes). Excessive growth of P. acnes can cause the formation of larger acne lesions.
Factor 4 - Inflammation (Redness)
P. acnes multiplies in the clogged hair follicle and causes the redness and swelling that is characteristic of inflammation. Inflammation, if severe, can lead to scarring if not appropriately treated.
Blemishes - Two Basic Groups
All acne blemishes, regardless of severity, fall into one of two basic groups, non-inflammatory or inflammatory.
Non-inflammatory
Non-inflammatory acne consists of two types of comedones, or blocked pores.
- Whiteheads - plugged follicles below the surface of the skin.
- Blackheads - enlarged plugs that appear dark in color and have pushed through the skin's surface.
Inflammatory
Inflammatory acne consists of comedones that have become inflamed because of bacteria in the clogged follicles.
- Papules - firm, pink bumps that feel tender to the touch.
- Pustules - small round lesions with a red base and yellowish or white center.
- Nodules/Cysts - a severe form of acne, are very large and painful and can result in scarring.
