Why do breakouts occur? Do you have acne and wonder this?
This is the second of a series of blog posts introducing my new “Beautiful Skin Solution” programs for acne, rosacea and maturing skin issues. These first posts are on acne. If you missed reading my first post, you can read it here.
You learned in the first post how a pimple forms, but why it does so is a longer and more complicated story.
The dynamics of other systems in the body and various stresses affect the skin. Considering that the skin is but one section in the orchestra of human anatomy and physiology , it is no surprise that other factors are at play in the formation of a pimple. In seeking a clearer understanding of why breakouts occur, it is helpful to examine some of the other influences that the skin must balance every day.
Hormones are chemical messengers that govern many actions and reactions in the human body. Sex hormones called androgens are thought to be a causative piece in the acne puzzle because they act as a trigger, stimulating the sebaceous glands. Androgens are responsible for physical maturation in men, which explains why so many teenaged boys endure hormonal influences on the skin. Females normally produce smaller amounts of androgens, but if the delicate hormonal balance is upset, it can render a girl pimple prone due to the increased flow of oil and the skin’s inability to process this excess.
Many women are blemish-free for three quarters of the month but incur a regular pre-period pimple. There are increased levels of progesterone in the blood two weeks prior to menstruation. While progesterone itself does not cause acne, heightened levels of the hormone call on the body’s stores of other substances involved in fat metabolism, causing oil to accumulate in the sebaceous glands, and set-pre-menstrual breakout.
The term metabolism describes the way the body perceives, processes and gets rid of any given substance. Foods containing excessive amounts of fat stress the body’s processes of metabolism. If fats are not digested properly, the excess oil in the sebaceous glands may appear on the skin. While this doesn’t guarantee a breakout the morning after a pizza party, the potential compromise to digestion is the basis of the common advice to eliminate junk foods if you are acne-prone.
Are stress and acne related? One of the body’s coping mechanisms in the face of stress is the secretion of glucocorticoids from the adrenal glands. Glucocorticoids are derivatives of cholesterol, and increased levels affect the balance of lipid metabolism, rendering the skin vulnerable to acne. There is dissent among experts as to the exact nature of the relationship between stress and breakouts, but those who live with acne affirm the connection.
Stay tuned for the next post about Acne Treatments.
If you struggle with acne and are trying to figure out why your breakouts occur, I want to help. Take the first step by signing up for a FREE CLARITY Session and or check out “The Beautiful Skin Solution for Acne” here.
Imagine a life without having to hide. It’s time for you to finally have healthy, glowing skin.
