Acne Causes

Acne causes are varied but their central cause is usually linked to cellular dysfunction within the hair follicle. When cells inside the hair follicle begin to flake abnormally, they can plug the follicle and cause the oil and waste usually controlled by the hair follicle out onto the skin. This rupture leads to the swelling and inflammation known as acne. The normally occurring bacteria Propionibacterium acnes can also be a cause of acne because of how it reacts with the naturally occurring sebum (oil of the skin glands). Hormones are another acne cause. In men and women, the increase of androgen during puberty can lead to an enlarged sebaceous gland, increased sebum, and eventually follicle plugs. Estrogen, a female hormone, can sometimes be used to fight acne. Acne can be inflammatory or non-inflammatory. Inflammatory acne is classified as whitehead and blackheads. Non-inflammatory acne is known as papules, pustules, and nodules, more commonly known as zits. Acne is also known as acne vulgaris.