An exact cause of every person’s acne problems is unknown.

Many reasons exist for many cases and each of us battles our own issues on a very personal level.

Despite endless research done to date not one thing has ever been isolated as the primary and common cause for acne. Keeping this in mind doctors and researchers have at least come to some conclusions as to what sort of risk factors are involved and ultimately contribute to acne’s development.

Acne Research Findings

According to some researchers, the primary causes are hormones and genetics, but this cannot account for every case. In some instances, factors like medication, cosmetics, and certain aspects of personal hygiene are more likely to create the conditions for acne’s formation. Environment, too, can be a cause if your work involves chemicals or if you are exposed to frying oils, there is a greater chance of getting acne - the materials themselves can clog pores.

Hormones

With the onset of puberty, the human body starts to produce hormones called androgens or male sex hormones, increasing in both boys and girls. These androgens cause the enlargement and over stimulation of the sebaceous glands which are found in the hair follicles or pores of the skin. The extra sebum or oil that the sebaceous glands produce mixes with dead skin cells and bacteria on the skin’s surface and this blocks pores. Within the blocked pore, the bacteria multiply and cause inflammation. All of this leads to the lesions that are associated with acne. read the rest »

If you are a parent with teenage children you know how much acne affect everything about your teens’ moods, social skills, self-esteem and confidence.

Although it may seem trivial to some, acne can affect a teen’s self image as well as overall social life. In severe cases it can lead to depression and withdrawal.

You should let your teenager know that you are always available for a chat, consultation, and that you are willing to take every measure to help him or her with any problem that affects their persona, even acne. Talking about your own experience with breakouts during the teenage years may help them relate and quite possibly, give them a healthier perspective on the condition. read the rest »

I’d never heard this term when I ran across it this week so I had to do a double take and make sure it was a real skin condition!

Acne Mechanica is real and it is caused by external mechanical forces such as constant pressure, constant or repeated friction, covered skin, and repetitive heat source on the skin.

If you’re the sporty type or in a high activity job, and suffering from acne this could be your condition!

Acne mechanica is common with busy active lifestyles when coupled with tight-fitting or restrictive clothing that is worn for long periods. These sort of jobs and lifestyles may include strenuous workouts or positions where you are busy with repetitive tasks.

In fact this is also seen quite often in the military! Soldiers who wear uniforms most of the day while carrying backpacks with straps that cause friction with every movement rubbing against the body. Add to that they are often operating in extreme conditions and there’s little wonder that regular acne turns to mechanica.

Other possible causes:

Head bands that can rub the forehead and irritate the skin.
Ear phones worn for hours a day, every day.
Friction caused by any physical contact with musical instruments for hours a day.
Tight clothing of any material - natural or synthetic.