THE CAUSES OF ACNE

To explain the causes of acne, it is necessary first of all to know that our skin is covered with a multitude of tiny hairs, almost invisible to the naked eye. At the base of each hair follicle is the sebaceous gland, which is responsible for preventing our skin from drying out by producing a kind of oil and skin cell mixture called sebum.

In the case of acne, sebum, normally secreted in very small amounts, is then produced excessively by the sebaceous glands. By accumulating at the entrance of the pores, this area becomes a perfect nest for the development of bacteria and therefore the development of comedones.

What can encourage these sebaceous glands to accelerate their production of sebum? Several elements can influence this hyperactivity. Factors in our daily lives such as physical or environmental, can be the source of acne breakouts.

Hormonal activity can cause an acne breakout or increase the number of lesions. For example, at the time of puberty, hormones can influence the production of sebum. These are the same hormones that, during the menstrual cycle of a woman, will cause an acne breakout. Following the same idea, stress, although not considered a direct cause of acne, is now well identified as an important factor influencing the quality of our skin. The stress hormones released by the brain undeniably play a role, in the case of already existing acne and on the hyperactivity of the sebaceous glands. Heredity can also be one of the factors influencing acne. We can inherit a predisposition to acne.

Finally, anything in our environment that can cause skin irritation can trigger an outbreak of acne. For example, contact with certain sports equipment, intense heat, friction of clothing or the use of certain cosmetic products may increase the activity of sebum production.

It is important to take into account its various factors in order to understand your type of acne, and thus develop an effective treatment plan adapted to your needs.