The cause of acne due to habits that are not realized

The main cause of acne

Acne is actually easy to treat with simple skin care. However, these red bumps that feel sore can reappear repeatedly in the same place.

If acne has become a regular problem, it means you need to know what caused this to happen. The reason is, acne treatment depends on the type of acne and what is the trigger.

Basically the main cause of acne is clogged pores. Clogged pores can occur due to these three factors, namely as follows.

1. Bacteria

Bacteria are one of the main causes of acne breakouts. Below are some types of bacteria that can trigger acne.

• Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes)
• Corynebacterium granulosum
• Staphylococcus epidermidis or coagulase-negative staphylococcus

Among the three bacteria, P. acnes is the type of bacteria that most often causes acne. Acne generally appears starting with a clogged pore by a foreign substance which then invites bacteria to infect.

This is what later triggers the skin to swell and fester. The number and activity of bacteria is often influenced by hormones, oxygen supply, and nutrients.

2. Buildup of dead skin cells

Apart from bacteria, the buildup of dead skin cells can also clog the pores of the skin, which can lead to acne growth.

You see, every dead and damaged body cell will be replaced by new, healthy cells. The process of skin cell replacement will involve all of the skin and begins with the deepest layer of skin (stratum germinativum) producing new skin cells.

After that, new cells will rise to reach the outermost layer of skin (stratum corneum). When these cells arrive, the cells in the outer skin layer will die.

In fact, this process does not work smoothly in people who are prone to acne and have oily skin. The reason is, their skin produces more dead skin cells than it should.

As a result, the buildup of dead skin cells occurs because they cannot be cleaned and allow clogged pores. If the skin, both face and body, is not cleaned properly, the remaining dead skin cells will accumulate and cause acne.

3. Production of excess oil (sebum)

Generally, human skin has sebaceous (sebaceous) glands that produce oil (sebum). This sebum will later rise to the surface of the skin through the pores around the hair follicles and aims to keep the skin moist.

Sebum is a necessary component, but when it is produced in excess it can clog pores. As a result, pimples appeared.

Another factor that causes acne

The buildup of dead skin cells, excess oil production, and bacterial infections that cause acne don't just happen. There are several factors that can increase a person's risk of experiencing these three things and being more prone to acne.

1. Hormonal changes

The most common type of acne is acne that appears during puberty due to changing levels of hormones, namely androgen hormones.

Androgen hormone imbalance can cause acne because it can trigger an increase in oil production. This also makes skin cells harden which in turn triggers clogged pores, so that dead skin cells and excess oil cannot come out.

Hormonal changes not only occur at puberty, but can also be experienced by adults, especially in women. Here are some conditions that can cause acne to become inflamed again as an adult.

• Menstruation
• Patients with PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome)
• Pregnancy

Hormonal acne can also occur when the body lacks some of the enzymes associated with the production of certain hormones. This condition, known as congenital adrenaline, may result from too little levels of sex hormones such as testosterone.

What about hormonal changes during orgasm?

Meanwhile, there are some people who believe that the change in the hormone testosterone during orgasm can also trigger acne. In fact, this is not the case.

This hormone increase occurs in a short time and does not affect the skin's oil production. This applies when after sex or masturbation. This means that masturbation and sex are not the direct causes of acne.

Do hormonal changes when falling in love trigger acne?

When someone falls in love, the body will experience changes and one of them is the change in the hormones cortisol and dopamine. This is evidenced by research from Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism.

Cortisol is a stress hormone that is believed to cause acne because it can trigger skin inflammation. Fortunately, this condition doesn't apply when you fall in love.

The reason is, these feelings of stress only appear briefly and will be replaced by feelings of happiness. When you are happy, your body will release dopamine, which prevents inflammation in the body.

Even so, there are many things that can cause acne breakouts, regardless of whether you are in love or not. For example, falling in love at puberty can trigger acne breakouts.

2. Stress

Basically, stress does not directly cause acne. However, when you are under stress, the body will produce more androgens which also stimulate the oil glands and hair follicles in the skin. As a result, pimples appeared.

In addition, stress can also lead to various bad habits that can lead to acne, such as smoking, drinking alcohol, and overeating. Therefore, managing stress properly can reduce the risk of developing acne.

3. Genetic factors

Actually, there are quite a few cases of acne caused by heredity. However, the tendency for acne to run in families can occur.

For example, having one or both parents who are prone to acne can also put their child at greater risk.

This condition may occur when a person gets acne when the mother experiences the same thing in a certain area. This indicates that genes from the mother or the X chromosome can cause acne to arise due to genetic factors.

The exact cause is unknown. However, several studies have shown that there are 15 common genetics to experience severe types of acne, such as acne nodules and acne pustules.

The majority of these genetic types affect the function, shape and structure of the hair follicles. Even so, further research is still needed to see the relationship between the three.

4. Weather

Did you know that the weather can also be a factor in acne breakouts? When the weather is humid during the rainy season, or in tropical climates, you may be more prone to breakouts or your acne may get worse.

A humid environment makes it easier for the skin to sweat, which makes it easier for sweat to mix with dead skin cells and dirt.

As a result, clogged pores occur and cause acne to appear. This also applies when the weather is hot because it triggers more sweat production.

Meanwhile, dry weather makes the skin dry and triggers excess oil production to maintain skin moisture. In addition, dry skin causes flaking of the top layer of skin.

As a result, dead skin cells accumulate and mix with sebum which later clogs pores.

5. Drug side effects

Other causes that can trigger acne are the use of certain drugs, such as:

• Corticosteroids because the content can increase the growth of bacteria in the skin follicles
• Contraception reduces circulating globulin-binding hormone, which can worsen acne in women
• Medicines to increase muscle mass
• Antidepressants (lithium), B vitamins (B6 and B12) and epilepsy drugs

If you suspect the above drugs are a factor in the development of acne on the body, face and other areas, consult your doctor. This is so that you can replace other drugs with the same properties.

Bad habits cause acne

Treating acne is not easy. Even expensive skin care products will not work if the bad habits that cause acne are still practiced, including the following.

1. Touching skin with dirty hands

Touching the skin, especially on the face, with dirty hands is a habit that often causes acne. The reason is, bacteria and dirt that sticks to the hands can stick to the skin and clog pores. As a result, your skin is more prone to breakouts.

In addition, objects that often stick to the face, such as cellphones, make-up tools, and even sweat can trigger acne.

2. Rarely wash your hair

Washing your hair rarely can result in dirty hair, especially for people with thin, long hair and bangs. Dirt on hair that is rarely shampooed can stick to the face.

As a result, the skin will be more prone to breakouts. In fact, this habit can also cause acne on the scalp which is rarely realized by many people.

3. Squeeze blackheads

Many people think that squeezing blackheads will solve this problem faster. Unfortunately, this habit can actually cause acne because it can injure facial skin and leave skin tissue prone to tears.

If this habit is continued, especially when the skin is already pimpled, it can certainly cause damage and acne scars that will be difficult to remove.

4. How to wash your face is wrong

One of the keys to preventing pimples from appearing is keeping your face clean. Some of you may feel that washing your face frequently is a good habit, but this is not the case.

Frequent washing of your face actually triggers facial breakouts and causes skin irritation and increased sensitivity. In fact, acne can also be caused by using too many skin care products.

This can cause a reaction to the substances contained in the product and inadvertently kill the good bacteria. Therefore, it is necessary to pay attention to whether certain skin treatments trigger acne or not.

5. Care products are not suitable

The choice of care products, both skin and hair, and improper cosmetics can clog pores and build up blackheads. This will later become the cause of acne, especially for oily skin owners.

For example, a product like hair-spray sprayed onto the hair can leave a residue around the forehead. The content of this product is not made for the skin, making it more prone to acne on the forehead and surrounding areas.

Therefore, always choose care and cosmetic products that suit your skin type and try to use products with labels non-comedogenic (does not cause blackheads).

6. Consumption of certain foods

Most people probably already understand that there are several acne-causing foods that need to be avoided. These types of foods that can trigger acne may be consumed more often when you are at home, such as:

• foods high in sugar and carbohydrates, such as bread, cereals, and biscuits,
• dairy products,
• fast food,
• chocolate, as well
• greasy foods, such as fried foods.

Even so, further research is still needed to really prove whether acne can be caused by the foods above.

7. Staying up late

Lack of sleep due to staying up late can be a cause of acne, especially on the face. The habit that causes acne occurs due to stress that appears every time you don't sleep.

If the body is under stress, the hormone cortisol will increase and trigger inflammation in the body, including damaging the structure and function of the skin. Staying up late can also worsen acne conditions and other skin problems, such as psoriasis and eczema.

8. Consumption of alcohol

Until now there has been no research that actually proves that acne can be caused by alcohol. However, it is no longer a secret that alcohol is harmful to the body which can indirectly trigger acne with the following explanation.

• The immune system decreases and can destroy protective cells, thereby facilitating the development of acne-causing bacteria
• The hormone estrogen is not balanced and produces excess oil, which can clog pores and cause acne
• Trigger inflammation that is at risk for severe types of acne, such as acne nodules and pustules.

9. Smoking

Smokers may need to be careful. The reason is, research shows that smokers who experience acne as adolescents are at risk of suffering from the same thing in adulthood.

Smoking is known to constrict blood vessels from the inside and the smoke damages skin cells which are the body's first line of defense.

As a result, clogged pores occur and cause blackheads and other non-inflammatory pimples. In addition, smoking has also been shown to worsen acne scars and cause uneven skin surfaces.

The causes of acne are actually quite a lot. In essence, it is necessary to care for the skin and choose products that suit your skin condition.