| Acne is the leading skin concern for most adult | | | | The glands over stimulates to produce much |
| men and women, and even teenagers. Individuals | | | | sebum. Hormones are also responsible for the |
| of all races and of both genders deal with this | | | | cyclic appearance of pimples during menstruation, |
| notorious skin condition. How does acne start? | | | | or pregnancy. |
| Acne is not a product of a person's action rather; | | | | Overproduction of sebum worsens the plugged |
| it is a manifestation of factors that happen within | | | | condition of the follicle. Sebum mixes with the old |
| the body. Acne that is visible on the skin has | | | | cells and bacteria. This common process is |
| developed 2-3 weeks beforehand internally. This | | | | aggravated by too much sebum in the skin. |
| happens on a certain part of the skin called hair | | | | Trapped sebum in the follicle attracts more |
| follicles. Hair follicles are associated with sebaceous | | | | bacteria to the infected site. Too much sebum |
| glands that produce a kind of oil called sebum and | | | | increases the likelihood of developing plugs in the |
| pierce the skin through holes called pores. Skin | | | | hair follicle during the skin shedding process. |
| renewal is a process wherein old skin cells die, | | | | Besides sebum, bacterial infection of the plug |
| mixing with sebum and are removed from the | | | | results to acne appearance. "Propionibacterium |
| body. | | | | acnes" is a common bacteria residing in the skin. It |
| But the removal process is different for every | | | | is part of the shedding process. However, when a |
| individual. Some people have uneven shedding, | | | | plug is formed in the follicle, this bacterium finds |
| causing the old cells to stick together forming a | | | | the site favorable for multiplication and |
| plug or "comedo" inside the hair follicle. The | | | | reproduction. This process increases the bacteria |
| "comedo" usually traps sebum and bacteria. The | | | | inside the plug and worsens the condition. The |
| sebaceous glands continue producing sebum and | | | | presence of many bacteria triggers the immune |
| white blood cells attack the bacteria. These | | | | system to release more white blood cells into the |
| events result to a pimple or acne. | | | | area thus causing inflammation. |
| Therefore, the appearance of acne is determined | | | | Inflammation is caused by the reaction between |
| by a variety of factors, often uncontrolled by an | | | | the bacteria and the white blood cells of the |
| individual. Genetics plays an important role in the | | | | immune system. As the cells fight off the |
| development of acne. Inheritance of this condition | | | | bacteria, the site swells, giving the red-bump |
| is one cause. Others with no family history have | | | | appearance of acne. The inflammatory response |
| other causes, usually not a single one. | | | | is more pronounced in adult women, although it |
| Hormonal imbalance is one primary cause of acne. | | | | can also be seen in all individuals. |
| Usually this starts during teenage years, when | | | | Although there is no cure for acne, several |
| they hit puberty. Androgens are hormone | | | | treatments are available in the market. Their |
| produced by the body from this stage forward. | | | | efficacy varies among individuals. Therefore, the |
| Normally they enlarge sebaceous glands. However, | | | | best way of combating this undesirable infection is |
| those with acne have sensitive sebaceous glands. | | | | to prevent it before it happens. |