First, lets talk about the anatomy of the skin. Skin is composed of two layers: the epidermis, which is the superficial layer, and the dermis, or the deeper layer. In the epidermis, there are very small holes all over, called pores. The pores are not really holes in the true sense of the word. They are actually hair follicles that hold very fine hair. The hairs are, in turn, attached to a sebaceous gland.

A gland is something that produces or excretes a substance. The sebaceous gland produces a greasy, oily substance called sebum. Sebum helps out moisturize the skin. Sebum reaches the skin surface with the help of the hair follicles. Each hair follicle is streaked with cells called keratinocytes or dead skin cells.

How Acne Develops
Puberty is the period when hormonal activities reach overdrive. A certain hormone, called testosterone, promotes the production of sebum. The additional sebum content, added with the presence of hair and keratinocytes, block the hair follicle. Plugging of the hair follicle is the earliest indicator of acne. This prevents sebum from reaching the skin surface. The combination of oil and dead skin cells provides a breeding ground for bacteria.

The presence of bacteria alerts the white blood cells. These are the disease-fighting cells in the body. The white blood cells attack, causing inflammation: the skin is hot to touch; there is also swelling, redness, and pain.

Shortly, the hair follicle breaks down. Its contents – oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria – are released directly on the skin surface. The discharge then forms into acne or pimples.

Causes of Acne
There is no single cause that is directly attributed to the development of acne. However, there are multiple factors present which contribute to acne formation.

- Hormones
Hormonal changes in puberty can trigger the sebaceous gland to produce more sebum. Androgens, a hormone present in both males and females, act as the stimulants for sebum secretion.

- Excess oil
Too much oil can block the hair follicles, leading to clogging, and eventually acne.

- Dead skin cells
These cells are naturally shed by the skin. Some cells, however, mix with the extra sebum, and cap up the hair follicles.

- Bacteria
Bacteria contribute to acne formation when mixed in with the already plugged follicles. To fight them, the body sets of a reaction known as inflammation.

- Cosmetics
Some brands are comedogenic which means that they are likely to cause acne. Avoid these types of make-up and go for non-comedogenic brands instead.

Bear in mind that these causes are on a personal basis. What can cause acne for you may not cause acne for another. When treating your acne, it is essential to have an individualistic view. Examine all the possible causes, find the accurate treatment, and monitor your treatment response. Now that you have an idea about origin of acne, you can generate better ideas on how to fight it, too.

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The prevalence of acne in most adolescents and maturing individuals, have brought about the various choices of treatments in the market. These acne treatments may come in the form of oral medications, over-the-counter drugs, herbal medicines and surgical treatments. Let us get to know some of the treatments for acne and its side effects. Antibiotics For mild to severe cases of acne, dermatologists may require taking of antibiotics alongside topical remedies. Antibiotics commonly work for the purpose of avoiding the bacteria and inflammation of the skin. Dosage and administration. The process may take about several weeks or month before seeing its effect. It controls the breakout of bacteria that causes acne. Take note however that once you stop taking or applying the antibiotic, your acne will not heal and it could even cause it to come back. But it does not mean you need to double the medication either as this may lead to overdose. Side effects. Antibiotics may cause adverse effects like sunburn, dizziness, upset stomach or skin discoloration. It may also cause vaginal yeast infection for some women. Contraceptive pills Pills are oftentimes used for birth control procedures and family planning. But it is a known fact to many, that there are oral contraceptive pills which may aid in beautifying the skin. How the pill works. Birth control pills having a combination of estrogen and progestin taken orally are known sources for hormonal acne treatment. Low doses of estrogen help suppress the androgens, the latter being the cause of higher production of oil in the body. Low-dose contraceptives are believed to improve acne regardless of the formula present in the pill. Side effects. It may cause tenderness of the breasts, irregular menstruation and for some it may also cause headache and fatigue. In most cases, it could also trigger frequent urination. Tretinoin This treatment is usually used for acne vulgaris and usually comes as a topical solution. In some instances, it is known to be Retin-A, Avita, Renova, or Vesanoid. · How tretinoin works. It works in eliminating acne and medication should be taken with doctor’s advice as it poses some serious problems once misused. Should irritation occur, it is advised that the medication be lessened. · Side effects. Skin redness and blisters may occur when the product is used. Over dosage of the product may also lead to peeling and discomfort. Herbal Remedies This is considered as the natural acne treatment which uses combination of various herbs to form a medication. These are commonly used for mild acne and should also be assessed by the dermatologists as to its safe contents. Consultation with your doctor as to taking this medicine should also be done especially when you are undergoing some medications of another type. Related Articles: Top rated Acne Treatment Products Acne Laser Treatments

Finding the right treatment for acne can be rather frustrating for many consumers.