SKINIPEDIA - Skin Encyclopedia: Acne, What Causes Acne?

ACNE and PIMPLES

Acne is the most common skin problem that young people have. Almost everyone will develop acne to some degree, but some people have more pimples than others. Acne is not a skin problem that is treated quickly and then never comes back again. It requires time, patience, and understanding on your part.

WHAT CAUSES ACNE?

The exact cause of acne is unknown. It is usually the result of several factors combined:

* Heredity may have a lot to do with whether or not you have acne.
* The increase in hormones during puberty seems to be a major factor. These hormones can cause oil glands to become more active. You may have noticed oily skin just before your acne began.
* The oil does not cause the acne; it is just a sign that acne may get worse.
* Acne is not caused by eating fried foods or chocolate.

WHAT IS A PIMPLE?

A pimple starts when a pore (an opening in the skin) gets plugged up. The pore has a tiny hair in it and oil glands at its base (Picture 1). The cells which line the pores are so small that they can only be seen with a microscope. During adolescence these cells are shed quickly. In some people the cells and oil stick together and form sebum which plugs the
pore. If the pore is open, the result is a blackhead. If the pore is closed, a whitehead is formed.

The whitehead is the beginning of a pimple. It forms when the sebum escapes from the pore wall and gets under the skin. The body tries to clean out the sebum and brings in the white blood cells to do the work. The result is a pimple. When the sebum gets deeper under the skin, a cyst can form. A cyst is a deep and uncomfortable swelling of the skin. Unless they are squeezed, blackheads do not usually cause pimples. Blackheads are not black from dirt, but from certain skin pigments (coloring) in the cells of the pores.

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