What Causes Acne?

Acne is primarily a hormonal disorder caused by androgen hormones, which become active during the adolescent and young adult years. It can be brought on by sensitivity to these hormones, in addition to surface skin microorganisms and fatty acids within oil glands. 

There are four basic causes of acne: 

• Excessive production of oil (sebum) 
• Blocked hair follicles from oil and skin cells 
• Bacterias/Inflammation 
• Since these areas of skin contain the most oil (sebaceous) glands, they are where acne often occurs on your face, forehead, chest, upper back, and shoulders. Oil glands are associated with hair follicles.

Certain factors might trigger or aggravate acne: 

• Hormone levels that change around a woman's cycle. 
• Picking at an active acne. 
• Wearables like hats and sports helmets, as well as clothing. 
• Pollution in the air and specific meteorological conditions, particularly excessive humidity. 
• Using fatty or oily personal care products, such as thick creams, lotions, or waxes, or working in an environment where you frequently come into touch with grease (such as working at a restaurant where there are greasy food surfaces and frying oil). 
• Stress, which raises cortisol levels, can also make acne worse. 
• Genetics. 
• Certain medicines. Examples include corticosteroid, testosterone, and lithium-containing medications. 
• Diet. According to studies, eating certain foods, such as carbohydrate-rich foods like bread, bagels, and chips, may make acne worse. If adhering to particular dietary limitations will help persons with acne, more research is required.

How can acne be treated?

The following treatments, either by themselves or in conjunction with medicines, might be beneficial for some people. 

1. Peeling agent. A chemical solution, such as salicylic acid, glycolic acid, or retinoic acid, is applied repeatedly during this process. This procedure treats minor acne. It might make the skin look better, but the improvement is usually temporary and requires more treatments. 
2. Extraction and drainage. When comedones or cysts don't go away after applying topical treatments, your doctor may gently remove them using specialised instruments. While this method momentarily makes your skin look better, it also runs the risk of leaving scars.
3. Injection of steroids. A steroid medication can be injected directly into nodular and cystic lesions to treat them. Rapid recovery and a reduction in discomfort are the outcomes of this therapy. Skin thinning and discolouration in the treated region are possible side effects.