What is acne and what causes it? It is caused by clogged pores or other causes that have been discussed and debated for a long time, but most of the time, many people still do not understand the problem of acne correctly. Therefore, it makes acne care wrong way. As a result, it becomes an injury to the skin of the face, aggravating the acne and becoming more severe. In this article, we will solve the question of what causes acne and what causes acne. So that you can choose the right way to deal with acne on the spot.
What are the types of acne?
Acne is usually divided into two main types: inflammatory acne and non-inflammatory acne, and there are further subdivisions according to the characteristics and symptoms of each type of acne.
Inflammatory acne
It can be divided into 4 types that are common and can occur easily.
Blister acne Red convex
It is a small pimple that looks like a red bump and is usually a pimple without a head. There is no itching or pain.
Purulent acne
The size of the pimple is similar to a red bump pimple, but there will be a pus head. It is caused by bacterial infections or various pathogens.
Large inflammatory acne
This type of acne looks like a red bump, but it is much larger and often painful to touch.
Acne caused by internal factors
Sebum Overproduction
It is one of the causes of acne. Main causes of acne Sebaceous glands are small glands located in hair follicles throughout the skin that produce oil or sebum to retain moisture and protect the skin from the external environment.
Causes of excess oil production
Androgens: Androgens such as testosterone play an important role in stimulating sebum production, especially during adolescence when this hormone increases significantly. Hormonal changes during this period cause the sebaceous glands to expand and produce more sebum. This is why teenagers are most likely to have acne problems.
Genetics
Genetics is another factor that affects the production of oil in the skin. If someone in the family has acne problems due to excess oil production, There is a high chance that you will experience the same problem.
Stress
Stress causes the body to produce the hormone cortisol (Cortisol), which can stimulate increased production of sebum. There are several research results. It has been shown that stress is a significant cause of acne.
Dead Skin Cell Accumulation
The accumulation of dead skin cells is one of the main causes of acne. When dead skin cells do not fall off naturally, it causes blockages in the hair follicles. Together with sebum and other impurities. This results in inflammation and other skin problems.
Propionibacterium acnes bacterial infections
Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) is a bacterium that plays an important role in acne, especially inflammatory acne. Understanding the function and effects of this bacterium will help make acne treatment more effective.
Clogging of hair follicles
The clogged pores with dead skin cells and sebum are a good food source for P. acnes, allowing this bacteria to thrive well.
Creation of chemicals that cause inflammation
Acnes produce enzymes and chemicals such as lipase enzymes, which break down sebum into free fatty acids. These fatty acids cause inflammation in the hair follicles.
Stimulation of the immune system
The chemicals produced by P. acnes stimulate white blood cells to enter the infected area, causing inflammation and swelling.
Acne caused by external factors
External factors refer to factors that occur outside the body that we cannot control but can avoid, including:
Weather and pollution
Various types of weather, including hot, dry, and humid, can cause acne, such as when the skin needs to face hot weather from the sun. In addition, there is dust and smoke from the road or various pollutions, increasing the chance for these impurities to clog the pores. It is the cause of more acne.
Cosmetics and chemical residues
The use of topicals or certain substances on the skin can cause acne, such as steroids, cosmetics, makeup, and certain chemicals that can trigger acne. Because if the cosmetics we use remain on the skin, it will cause skin blockages, causing acne.
Facial cleansing
Improper facial cleansing Rubbing too intensely or washing your face too often will make acne more severe because the skin of the face may be damaged and dry. In addition, choosing facial cleansing products that are not suitable for facial skin types can also affect the increase in sebum on the face. In addition to improper face washing will cause acne. The habit of using your hands to pick, scratch, and scratch is also a trigger for skin inflammation and can also cause acne.
Foods that cause acne
The auxiliary factor of acne comes from the food we eat. There are 4 main types of foods that stimulate and cause acne:
1. Daily products such as sweetened condensed milk, cheese, yogurt, ice cream, cakes, bakery, and dairy-based foods. When ingested, fermentation will occur in the stomach and the growth of yeast will occur, which when it increases, it will stimulate acne. But if you are afraid that it will deprive the body of nutrients that you get from milk. We can choose from other foods such as eggs, tofu, nuts, small fish, and meat to replace protein and calcium from milk.
2. Foods that are very sweet will also be the food of yeast in the stomach, allowing yeast to grow, and also causing hormonal changes, making hormones unstable and constantly going up and down, causing more acne.
3. Caffeine from tea, coffee, energy drinks, and soft drinks stimulates yeast growth and toxin, which is a waste product in the body, and easily triggers acne.
4. Fried foods or oily foods can have an effect on stimulating the activity of the sebaceous glands, making the skin oily. It can stimulate acne.
How to prevent acne?
- Keep your face or acne area dry and clean. Sweat and sebum should not be allowed to ferment. In addition to taking a shower in the morning and evening, you should also take a shower and clean immediately after exercise so that you do not accumulate impurities.
Conclusion: What causes acne?
Acne is a skin problem caused by a combination of factors. Treatment for acne should start by assessing the severity and type of acne so that the right treatment can be chosen. Keep your skin clean and avoid factors that trigger acne, such as using the right products. Stress control and a healthy diet will help reduce acne and maintain healthy skin. Consulting a dermatologist for proper advice and treatment is essential to effectively deal with acne problems.