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Tue Aug 08, 2006 2:15 pm  |
I was trying to relate how stress causes acne so I did some research and found this.
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Stress causes worsening of acne in two ways. First, by stimulating adrenal glands to produce more hormones and secondly, by slowing down the healing process.
Adrenal glands, which are located above the kidneys, secrete norepinephrine and epinephrine under stress and adrenal cortex secretes male hormones. These male hormones are well known for stimulating the sebaceous gland to secrete more sebum, which ultimately results in the formation of acne.
It induces the adrenal glands into overproduction of cortisol, a steroid, which in turn makes sebaceous glands produce more oil and make skin extra oily. This the reason why in stressful periods, people experiencing an increase in acne get more inflamed, pus-filled papules than simple whiteheads or blackheads. |
So this means that when you are stressed, more hormones are produced which means that they stimulate the sebaceous glands which make you produce more oil, that produce more acne? (Stress causes more oil to be produced, which causes the acne)?
So basically, stress is the indirect cause to acne, not a completely direct?
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The reason why I ask, is because I wonder what can the acne be filled with, since all of them are either from oil, dirt/germs.
What about when you shave, and your skin breaks out due to the irritation. Does it break out because there is something in the acne? Or does it break out because the skin itself is fine, but just gets inflamed? Since I don't understand how one gets acne if there is nothing in it (oil, dirt/germs), for it to make the actual zit. |
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Tue Aug 08, 2006 7:29 pm |
Ok. I think first of all, Many things Can/May cause or contribute to acne, and it seems like it depends on who you ask. Stress contributes to it for some people. Diet contributes for others. Still for others it is hormonal. It can also be exacerbated by certain products, like makeup. The way I understand it is this:
Bacteria gets into your pores; this can happen very easily. It's one of the reasons to not use the same washcloth over and over, and why people say to keep your hands off your face. Some people seem to be more naturally resistant to this bacteria and some seem to be more prone to it. I am not sure why.
This problem is made worse when you have overactive sebaceous glands, because it creates a good environment for the bacteria to grow. The bacteria, once inside your pores, can then multiply like crazy. Then as the skin tries to get rid of it (basically an infection) to heal itself, it causes the inflammation/redness that we experience as a 'zit'. I think it's basically trying to rid itself of the infection.
Of course you know there are many different types. Pustules, nodules, whiteheads, blackheads, etc etc.
Anyway, the way I see it, anything that can make your sebaceous glands more active can contribute to acne, including stress...because the overproduction of oil Can create a better environment for the bacteria.
To help combat this process, it is helpful to keep your skin exfoliated so that your pores do not clog up with dead skin cells and provide bacteria with a good place to grow. This can be done through using AHAs, glycolics, or BHAs, and/or manual exfoliation. Another thing people use basically a topical antibiotic that kills the bacteria, such as benzoyl peroxide, or prescriptions like Tazorac, etc. This helps because it kills the bacteria so that it can't get in there and wreak havoc. Of course BP has it's own side effects so many people don't like to use it. It is also helpful to make sure your skin is moisturized enough and not dried out because this can create small cracks/tears which is Another good place for bacteria to grow.
Sorry for all the background, but I think that will help when it comes to understanding why breakouts sometimes happen from things like shaving. If your razor is harboring bacteria and you shave with it, the bacteria can has easy access to your pores and can get right in to raise havoc. Or if your pores are clogged and the oil has time to keratinize (I think that's what it's called, basically it starts to harden into that white stuff), creating clogged pores...and you shave over them, same thing, only probably worse because you're probably also shaving over the bumps and creating tiny wounds for the bacteria.
I don't think it's the oil that causes the acne, I just think that it's overproduction gives the bacteria a good place to live. I hope that makes sense! |
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