SUMMARY

This article will explain what acne really is and how it is formed. 

 

 

 

For most people, acne is an “inherited condition of the pores.” This means the way the pores perform or behave is inherited. For clarification, the ‘inherited condition of the pores’ is inherited or genetic. However, the specific triggers that trigger acne are different for each individual person. 

 

A reminder, the 4 Primary Acne Triggers are:

 

1. Hormone imbalance:

• Appears on jawline, chin and lower cheeks (on females)

• Back and shoulders on males

• Breakouts are red, inflamed, lasts for several weeks

• Caused by elevated androgens & lower estrogen levels

• Lo-Dose BCP’s, IUD’s & supplements like DIM are all acne triggers

• Safe Herbal Supplements for hormonal Vitex & Saw Palmetto

 

    2. Stress 

• Presents itself on chin and jawline

• Activates the adrenal glands to produce extra androgen hormones like testosterone

• Puts oil into overdrive

• 24-48 hours after high stress event

• Red, Inflamed

• Females more predisposed

• Type A “tired but wired” hard time relaxing

 

   3.  Gut imbalance

• Primarily on cheeks, along the cheekbones

• Skipping Bowel Movements 

• Constipation

• IBS

• Bloating

• Stomach aches are common

• Long term use of antibiotics or accutane

• Gluten intolerance

• Food Sensitivities

• High potency Probiotic is recommended

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   4.  Diet (foods high in iodine)

• Primarily appears on cheeks

• Breakouts happen 24-48 hours after eating foods

• Iodine/Salt is acne triggering 

• High in androgens, acne triggering

 

And a few Secondary Acne Triggers are:

• Pore clogging ingredients
• Medications.

 

This explains why one's best friend may eat the same foods as an acne sufferer and share many other things in common, but they do not have acne. They did not inherit the genetic characteristic behaviors of the pores that cause acne to develop. So what are these specific behaviors of the pore that cause acne?

• Retention Hyperkeratosis- a healthy pore will shed approximately one layer of dead skin per day inside the pore. An acne-prone pore will shed up to five layers per day! The skin cannot keep up by expelling all these dead skin cells, so they start to build-up in the pore.
• As the skin cells start to build-up inside the pore, they start to become sticky. At this point, a microcomedone has started to form. A microcomedone cannot be seen just by looking at your skin. These can form beneath the skin for up to 90 days before it ever is seen (or felt) at the surface of the skin!
• Hormonal fluctuations (in males and females) trigger MORE oil production inside the pore. This is not a problem, if there were not dead skin cells trapped within the pore. The oil is a nutrient, or fuel, for bacterial growth. So now, you have P. acne bacteria developing inside the pore along with the dead skin cells and the oil. In other words, oil production and bacteria are not the problem. The effect of all the dead skin cells is the problem. This is a very important distinction. Whether or not the acne becomes inflamed at this point or not, is an inherited trait. If the dead skin cells and the oil do not become inflamed, a whitehead is formed, which is known as a closed comedone or non-inflamed acne.
• As the oil and dead skin cells continue to build-up, they start to put pressure on the surrounding cells of the pore. With enough pressure, the P. acne bacteria will start to spill out and rupture causing an infection and red bump, commonly known as the “pimple.” This is an inflamed acne lesion.

In summary, acne is primarily an inherited dead skin cell problem. Most acne, no matter how it transforms, starts as a microcomedone. This means that topical products are the best option to penetrate the pore and slow down the excessive cellular turnover. That is why HOME CARE IS SO CRUCIAL to getting clear and staying clear! 

In the maintenance phase, it is all about preventing the microcomedones from developing in the first place, which is what our skincare system does without clogging the pores like other acne products.

Important take away: Acne is not CAUSED by hormones. It is a genetic condition of the pore. First and foremost, this genetic condition of the pore, retention hyperkeratosis, must be present. Hormones can then trigger acne to come up to the surface if the microcomodone was already forming beneath the skin.

We know this because ALL teenagers go through hormonal changes but not all teenagers get acne.

 

 

 

How acne forms:

 

 

 

 

 

How acne clears: