Causes of Acne

Acne occurs when sebaceous glands inside the hair follicles (pores) of the skin become clogged, because emission occurs faster than the oil and skin cells can leave the follicle. The plug makes the follicle to swell (causing whiteheads), and the top of the plug may darken (causing blackheads). If the plug causes the wall of the follicle to break, the oil, devitalized skin cells, and microbes found usually on the surface of the skin can penetrate the skin and create small infected areas called pustules (also called pimples or “zits”).

The actual pimple is usually the result of microbes entering an open skin pore causing the body to react with millions of white cells to destroy the invaders. As the white cells fight and die they create an inflamed area that turns red (pimple) which over time turns into an even greater mass of devitalized cells that can create a pus pocket (white head).

Also, open pores can also be blocked with dried oils, external matter or just facial dirt that form what is commonly known as a black head. Salt from sweat is another cause of many facial break outs when it dries and clogs pores.

Cysts occur when the infection affects the deeper layers of the skin. A sebaceous cyst appears when the sebaceous gland continues to produce oil. Instead of rupturing the follicle wall, the follicle continues to enlarge and form a soft, pliable lump (called a cyst) under the skin. The cyst is usually not painful or discolored unless it becomes infected.

Acne Scar Causes

Acne scars occur when spots become inflamed or don’t cure properly. While scarring for some sufferers seems to depend on hereditary factors or skin color, precautions can be taken to prevent scars and treatments are available to greatly improve scarred skin’s appearance.

In the simple terms, scars are the visible reminders of injury and tissue repair. In the case of acne, the injury is caused by the body’s inflammatory response to sebum, microbes and devitalized cells in the clogged sebaceous follicle. Two types of true scars exist:

(1) Depressed areas such as pitted acne scarring, and

(2) Raised thickened tissue such as keloids.

When a lesion occurs the body rushes in the ‘troops’ to repair the damage. However, when their job is done they may leave behind a chaos in the shape of fibrous scar tissue, or eroded tissue. Leukocytes and inflammatory molecules may stay at the site of an active acne lesion for days or even weeks. For those who are susceptible to scarring the outcome may be an acne scar.

Acne scars can now be quickly eliminated thanks to a biological skin care product designed to treat scarring and imperfections without causing undesired side effects.

- Sara Kitch