What is Acne and What Causes It?
What is Acne?
Acne is a disorder resulting from the action of hormones and other substances on the skin’s oil glands (sebaceous glands) and hair follicles. These factors lead to plugged pores and outbreaks of lesions, commonly called pimples or zits. Acne lesions usually occur on the face, neck, back, chest, and shoulders. Although Acne is usually not a serious health threat, it can be a source of significant emotional distress. Severe Acne can lead to permanent scarring.
The exact cause of Acne is unknown, but doctors believe it results and worsens from several related factors such as:
- Heredity or Genetics – The tendency to develop acne can be inherited from parents.
- An increase in the production of androgens (male sex hormones.) - These hormones increase in both boys and girls during puberty.
- Hormonal changes due to pregnancy, starting or stopping birth control pills, menstrual cycles, and certain drugs.
- Greasy cosmetics.
- Environmental irritants, such as pollution and high humidity.
- Squeezing or picking at blemishes.
- Hard scrubbing of the skin.
- Stress.
How does Acne develop?
Doctors describe Acne as a disease of the Pilosebaceous Units (PSUs). Found over most of the body, PSUs consist of a sebaceous gland connected to a canal, called a follicle, that contains a fine hair. These units are most numerous on the face, upper back and chest. The sebaceous glands make an oily substance called sebum that normally empties into the skin surface through the opening of the follicle, commonly called a pore.
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Normal PSU |
People with Acne frequently have a variety of lesions. The basic Acne lesion, called the comedo (KOM-e-do), is simply an enlarged and plugged hair follicle and may be either a whitehead or a blackhead:
Whitehead When the trapped sebum and bacteria stay below the skin surface, a whitehead is formed. |
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Blackhead A blackhead occurs when the trapped sebum and bacteria open to the surface and turn black due to melanin, the skin’s pigment. Blackheads can last for a long time because the contents very slowly drain to the surface. |
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Other troublesome Acne lesions can develop, including the following:
Papules: inflamed lesions that usually appear as small, pink bumps on the skin and can be
tender to the touch.
Pustules (pimples): papules topped by white or yellow pus-filled lesions that may be red at the base.
Nodules: large, painful, solid lesions that are lodged deep within the skin.
Cysts: deep, painful pus-filled lesions that can cause scarring.