What Causes Pimples

Over the years I have heard of people give different reasons to what causes pimples. It’s important for you to know that there are many myths about what causes pimples out there and you should not be confused with all these beliefs. It’s not either your problem that you have pimples as a matter of fact, acne are caused by a mixture of physiological factors under our skin which are beyond our control. So know that when it comes to pimples or Acne causes it’s not that simple to pin point at one element alone, many things contribute to what causes pimples.

What causes Pimples?

The human body is usually covered in tiny hair follicles. Deep within each follicle there is a sebaceous gland which produces sebum, the oil that keeps your skin moist. At puberty hormones cause the amount of sebum produced by the glands to explode, especially in men.

Research shows that pimples usually starts around two to three weeks before it eventually appears on the skin surface. It begins in sebaceous hair follicles or pores.

What causes pimples:  blocked pores

Many people believe that dirt makes their pores to get blocked and as a result this causes pimples. Is this really what causes pimples? No, it is not, this is just one of the myths.

As your skin renews itself, old skin cells die and shed. Normally, these cells shed gradually, making room for fresh new skin cells. But if cells are shed unevenly, they clump together with the skin’s natural oil to form a plug within the pore – like a cork in a bottle.

So remember that you can wash your face severally and notice no change because dirt doesn’t block pores.

What Causes Pimples: Dead Skin Cells

The explanation above show that pimples problems start from the pores not on the surface of your skin where it traps oil and bacteria inside the follicle and begins to swell as your skin continues its normal oil production process. That’s when your body’s immune system kicks in, producing white blood cells to attack the bacteria - the end result is a pimple. Yes, now you know what causes pimples!

What Causes Pimples: Androgen Hormones
Most of the skin problems begin at puberty stage, this is when many people suffer from blemish this is when the body begins to produce hormones called androgens. These hormones cause the sebaceous glands to enlarge, which is a natural part of the body's development.

In blemish sufferers, however, the sebaceous glands are overstimulated by androgens, which can sometimes persist well into adulthood. Androgens are also responsible for flare-ups during the menstrual cycle and, for some people during pregnancy.

Its always said that if your parents had acne, you may have inherited it from them.  No traditional medical treatments specifically target the hormone imbalance that causes the faulty clearing of dead skin cells even though it is one of the root causes of acne. In fact it is the first cause of acne pimples. Instead of dealing with this hormone problem which leads to blocked pores, traditional medicine concentrates on fighting bacteria (a much later-stage problem) and reducing sebum production with the use of vitamin A derivatives called retinoids (isotretinion – Accutane) and, in women, birth control pills.

Treatment of acne and pimples

There are many solutions available out there for blemish however you need to seek medical attention and get examined by an expert who will diagnose the type and severity of your condition. From this you will be able to get help. Pimples differ from one person to the other so don’t ask your friend the treatment of acne and pimples they are using so that you can get the same. Get yourself checked by a doctor before you can start with your treatment. After reading this article you are aware of what causes pimples and you will be able to seek the right treatment for acne and pimples.

What Causes Pimples

What causes pimples is the same as what causes acne (acne is a skin disease that affects the follicles or pores). You know that our body has follicles that cover most of the body and face. A follicle is a tiny skin duct under the skin that a single hair grows out of. Below the duct is a tiny gland that produces sebum, skin oil. This oil is necessary for healthy skin and hair.

What causes pimples is usually the skin below and around the follicles are constantly shedding and growing new skin. These dead skin cells can become excessive and clog up the pores. Contributing to this may be the overproduction of sebum, clogging the pores even more. Once the pores become clogged bacteria form causing a lesion or pimple.

There are several types of lesions. A comedo is a clogged pore. Excess oil mixed with dead skin cells under the surface form a plug. One type of comedo is a whitehead. A whitehead is formed when the clog plugs up the pore entirely forming a small bump with a white center. A blackhead is a clogged pore with a black center. The black center is not dirt but is cause by oxygen having been exposed to the pore because it had opened up slightly.

Papules or pustules are what people usually call pimples. These are raised red bumps because the clogged pores have become infected. The bacteria also cause swelling and bulging. If the pimple is filled with pus it is called a pustule. The pus can become yellow with infection.

Another of the causes of pimples can be over-washing. Over washing acne infected skin can actually produce more acne and more pimples. The skin will make more sebum, which in turn can make acne worse. Wash your face no more than twice a day using acne medications. Never pick or pop a pimple. This will cause the spread of more bacteria by pushing some bacteria deeper into the skin. This will make the pimple last longer and can also cause it to develop into a cyst. Once the pimple is open it is exposed to even more bacteria from the face and hands causing a bigger infection. This is what causes pimples to spread even more.

Sweating can cause acne to worsen. Pores can become blocked from excess sweat that cannot evaporate. Always take a shower after sweating and wear loose fitting clothing. Athletic equipment such as headbands, chin straps, pads and helmets may all trap sweat and contribute to the causes of pimples. Avoid wearing fabrics that don't breathe well such as nylon or spandex. Instead, wear cotton fabrics that help to wick sweat away from the skin.

What causes pimples in women is also their hormones. Hormones can cause the body to produce more sebum than usual. Women may notice that they have an acne outbreak near the time of their period. Hormones often fluctuate greatly during the teen years and often acne will go away once hormones settle down.

Some medications are also what causes pimples, as they can cause acne to flare up. Anti-depressants, steroids, epilepsy medication and some birth control pills can all contribute to acne. Never stop taking medication because of an acne breakout. Instead, talk with your doctor about it so he can adjust your medication or find other possible causes of pimples and acne.