There
are many myths about what causes acne
Can
we escape acne? NO.
There
are many myths about what causes acne.
One thing is for certain, no one escapes
adolescence, teen, and early adulthood
unscathed by acne. The condition is
caused by pores that become clogged.
The skin’s oil glands produce
a substance called sebum, which collects
in hair follicles. That irritates
the follicles, which shed a substance
called keratin.That’s
when the process, or small bump associated
with pimples, starts to form. Once
the plug breaks through the surface
of the hair follicle, a patient can
start to see what is commonly called
a blackhead.
More
severe cases of acne, like acne fulminans,
produces nodular cysts that can drain
and be painful. This variety tends
to be more frequently associated with
scarring.
Acne
myth studies have shown that acne
is not caused by eating foods like
chocolate, pizza or caffeinated beverages.
Stress can aggravate the condition,
but everyday stress does not induce
acne. Dermatologists recommend those
with pimples or zits avoid squeezing
them to make them go away; chances
are it will make the blemishes worse.
Contrary to popular belief, exposure
to the sun will not help acne heal.
Factors
that can cause an acne flare include:
- changing
hormone levels in adolescent
girls and adult women 2 to
7 days before their menstrual
period starts
- friction
caused by leaning on or rubbing
the skin
- pressure
from bike helmets, backpacks,
or tight collars
- environmental
irritants, such as pollution
and high humidity
- squeezing
or picking at blemishes
- hard
scrubbing of the skin.
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