Did you know that acne is the most common skin disorder in the U.S.? It affects nearly 50 million Americans, and 85% of people suffer from acne at some point in their lives. So how do so many celebrities and girl-next-door beauties retain their radiant skin? They begin by learning about what causes acne so that they can better understand how to fight it.
The Main Causes of Acne
- Overproduction of Oil. Everyone is born with glands in their skin that naturally produce oil, but some of us are born with bigger glands than others. When glands are enlarged, they produce excess oil, which can lead to acne breakouts.
- Abnormal Shedding of Skin Cells. Your skin cells are constantly dying and being replaced by new cells. It’s how skin retains its youth and heals itself, but sometimes the process is disrupted. Dead skin cells can become trapped in hair follicles. When this happens, the skin’s natural oils can’t escape the follicle, and pimples and cysts occur.
- Bacterial Buildup. Whether we like it or not, there’s no escaping bacteria. About 100 trillion of these microbes call the human body home, and every species has its favorite little niche. That being the case, you’ll find bacteria in every hair follicle. But when these follicles become blocked by dirt, excess bacteria can’t be washed away. They multiply, and since they have nowhere to go, they push your skin outward, causing an acne breakout.
When you suffer from acne, the temptation to stay indoors for a while until your skin clears up can be strong. With so many over-the-counter remedies to choose from, it’s hard to know where to start, and of course you imagine that people can see right through your concealer. But that’s no way to live – and besides, many popular acne remedies that people try on their own can actually make the situation worse.
When you’re having a breakout, braving the outside world for a few hours to get some professional help is one of the fastest ways to improve the condition of your skin. For a treatment that targets each of the three root causes of acne, try the Burke Williams Acne Facial. Our treatment combines salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide with a peel and our H2V spotless acne masque. You’ll walk out feeling clean, refreshed and ready for a comeback.
