Acne: causes, risk factors and how to prevent it

What is acne? 

Acne is a very common skin disease, which results from the accumulation of sebum and dead cells in the pores, which combine with the bacteria present on the skin. However, acne is also caused by other hormonal disorders.

Its localization areas are the oiliest areas of the skin, such as the face, chest, shoulders and back.

Factors that aggravate acne

• Hormonal levels that change with menstruation.
• Hairdressing products that come into contact with the skin.
• Dermocosmetic and makeup products.
• Pollution.
• The way to treat wounds and pimples.

The role of hormones in acne

During adolescence, among many other changes that occur in the human body, scabies (black or white spots, depending on whether they are closed or open) and seborrhea of ​​the scalp appear.

These changes are different in boys than in girls and are caused by increased secretion of gonadal and adrenal sex steroids. Sex steroids are hormones secreted by the adrenal glands in both sexes, the ovaries in women, and the testicles in men.

They are the hormones that orchestrate changes in the body and psyche during the transition from children to adults. In both sexes, these hormones are the same. What changes are the quantities in which they are segregated and the relative proportions between them.

Types of acne

Early onset acne is associated with severe acne later in adolescence. If you are still a teenager, the most serious type of acne can affect you, mainly during this stage.

Acne simplex can appear around the age of 12 (between the ages of 9 and 15) and progresses throughout adolescence. Acne simplex may be the first sign of acne in girls, before hair growth in their teens or breast development. Unlike boys, where pimples appear in late adolescence and are present in all male adolescents in the final stages of development.

Deeper causes of acne

The boundaries between adolescent acne simplex and whether it is associated with a hormonal disorder are not clear, especially in girls, and often, unfortunately, the diagnosis is missed. Many times, acne is caused or aggravated by (very minor) disorders of sex hormones, with hyperandrogenemia with or without polycystic ovaries being more common.

Hyperandrogenemia (a common cause of menstrual irregularities) in girls can be part of or the cause of polycystic ovary syndrome. This may be due to ovarian stimulation by hyperinsulinemia (i.e., increased insulin in the blood due to the consumption of high glycemic index foods) as for example in obesity or has adrenal etiology, as in congenital adrenal hyperplasia syndromes. or in the autonomic secretion of cortisol by the body.

High levels of prolactin in the body can also cause acne. In very rare cases, the appearance of acne, and in fact its rapid evolution, with hair growth if you did not have it before, may be due to a male tumor which is a very urgent condition.

Hyperandrogenemia syndromes and polycystic ovaries are very common in Mediterranean countries such as Greece and can be accompanied by menstrual disorders in women. However, in Mexico they are also very common. Elevated prolactin levels are common, while congenital adrenal hyperplasia and autonomic cortisol secretion are rare. Android tumors are very difficult to appear, but due to the severity of the condition you should never miss them. All women and men (except teenagers) should undergo a thorough examination if they develop acne at any stage in their life.

What you should take into account if you have acne

• It is important that you clean your face well every morning and every night. Do it with special cleansers for acne-prone skin. Consult your doctor.
• Remove any makeup on your face and eyes well. This will help your skin breathe and not clog your pores.
• Wash makeup brushes and sponges regularly. The dust and bacteria that accumulate on these items can worsen the problem or cause additional irritation to the skin.
• Use a special sunscreen for oily skin throughout the year.

Tips for acne-free skin

As you already know, acne is very common, especially among young people. You are not the only one who has this problem. But if you want to prevent a possible aggravation and improve the well-being of your body, keep the following tips in mind.