What Exactly Is Acne?

Break outs or "acne" occurs when your hair follicles, or pores, become clogged with sebum (oil), dead skin cells, and bacteria. When this clog happens, your skin becomes inflamed, and you may experience swelling, redness, and pain. Acne manifests in different forms such as whiteheads, blackheads, pimples, cysts, and nodules, depending on the severity and depth of the clog.

What causes these blockages in the first place?

Below are the primary reasons acne develops.
1. Genetics
Acne can run in families, meaning if your parents or siblings have acne, you’re more likely to get it too. Your genes play a role in how much oil your skin produces and how easily your pores clog. While you can’t change your genetics, knowing this helps you be more proactive with skincare.
2. Hormones
Hormonal changes, especially during puberty, pregnancy, or your period, are a major cause of acne. Hormones, especially androgens like testosterone, increase the oil (sebum) production in your skin, making it easier for pores to clog and form acne. Conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) also contribute to hormonal acne.
3. Stress
Stress increases the hormone cortisol in your body, which can lead to more oil production and worse acne. While stress doesn’t directly cause acne, it can make your breakouts harder to manage. Managing stress through relaxation techniques can help calm your skin as well.
4. Dirty Sheets
Sleeping on dirty pillowcases and sheets can worsen acne by transferring oil, bacteria, and dirt to your skin. If you don’t wash your bedding often, the buildup of grime can lead to clogged pores and more breakouts. Changing your pillowcase weekly can help prevent this.

Other Contributing Factors

While the above factors are the primary causes, there are other triggers that can make your acne worse:

1. Fashion Trouble: Wearing things like hats, helmets, or tight clothing can trap sweat and oil, causing irritation and breakouts, especially on your forehead or back. 
2. Environment: Pollution in the air and high humidity can clog your pores and contribute to acne. If you live in an area with high pollution, washing your face after being outside can help.
3. Oily Products: Using heavy lotions, creams, or hair products with oil can clog your pores. If you work in environments with a lot of grease (like restaurants with frying oil), it can worsen acne, especially if grease touches your skin.
4. Medications: If you notice more breakouts after starting a new medication, consult with your doctor.
5. Picking at Pimples: Picking at your pimples or touching your face can introduce bacteria to your skin, making breakouts worse.

Diet and Acne

There’s some evidence that diet can affect acne, although it doesn’t cause it directly. To reduce your risk of acne, try to eat a balanced diet with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Foods rich in vitamin C and beta-carotene (found in carrots, oranges, and spinach) can help reduce inflammation and support healthier skin. Consulting with a professional dermatologist and a dietician might be useful, if you have a case of persistent breakouts.

Types of Breakouts

There are different types of breakouts, which can be grouped based on what causes them:

1. Breakouts Due to Clogged Pores:

   • Whiteheads: These are small white bumps that happen when your pores are clogged and remain closed.
   • Blackheads: Open clogged pores that turn black due to air exposure.
   • Milia: Tiny white bumps often seen around the eyes, caused by trapped dead skin cells.

2. Pimples due to inflammation:

   • Papules: Small red bumps that are inflamed but don’t contain pus.
   • Pustules: Red pimples with pus at the tip.
   • Nodules: Large, painful lumps under the skin that feel solid.
   • Cystic Acne: The most severe form of acne, causing deep, painful, pus-filled lumps under the skin.

Conclusion: Get it together

Acne can feel overwhelming, but understanding its causes can help you take better care of your skin. Keep in mind that acne is completely normal, and treating it takes time. With the right skincare routine and a few changes in your environment, you can manage and prevent breakouts more effectively. No need to lose hope, it is normal to experience breakouts but it is not okay to let it define your innate worth. Approach your skin's healing from a place of love, and not urgency, and you will notice those pesky breakouts clearing away like they never existed in the first place.

 

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