Acne Treatments in Salem and Portland Oregon

What is acne? A chronic condition transcending age, race, and gender A disease of the sebaceous glands and hair follicles marked by the eruption of pimples and other acne-related blemishes affecting the face, chest, and upper back The cause is unknown, but hormones and stress are considered to be contributing factors, while heredity determines the severity of the condition. Who gets acne? Most people experience occasional acne breakouts between ages 12 to 17, but for some it doesn't flare up until adulthood - especially in women How does acne happen? Androgen levels rise, causing the sebaceous glands to enlarge and increasing the amount of sebum secreted into the follicular canal Simultaneously, the lining cells of the follicular canal obstruct the exit of sebum to the surface by clumping together instead of sloughing off one-by-one. The obstructed canal is also known as a clogged pore Why does adult acne occur more often in women? Androgens, a leading contributor to acne breakouts, stimulate the development of sebaceous follicles and attached oil glands Stress also stimulates the adrenal glands, therefore making it the other leading factor contributing to acne breakouts in adult women These two factors affect women greatly during menstrual cycles, adolescence when hormones are very active, and even pregnancy Healthy skin A healthy cross-section of the skin shows a normal hair follicle with no obstruction of the follicular canal The sebaceous gland is not enlarged, therefore it excretes normal amounts of sebum Dead lining cells are able to slough off one-by-one keeping the pore unclogged