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BEAUTY
SKINCARE
32
April15
Facing Up
To Acne
A
cne is not just a teenage problem! If
your skin’s breaking out well into your
twenties, thirties and even forties, then
be assured – you’re not alone.
So, just what really causes acne? Dermatologist DR ANG
CHEE BENG explains. “Acne is a condition that develops in
and around the hair follicle and the surrounding oil-producing
glands. These sebaceous glands produce sebum, and this is
where all the major events that cause acne happen.”
Although the exact cause is unknown, this is what we do
know about the formation of acne:
People with more severe acne produce more sebum than
others – this could be genetically or environmentally
determined.
WHY
DO WE GET SPOTS?
Hormones –
These are one of the main reasons
that acne can flare up around puberty, as well as
later in adult life or for premenopausal women.
Diet –
High-glycaemic diets can spike blood
glucose levels, triggering a series of hormonal
changes that can cause outbreaks. Some reports
have also shown that eating dairy products can
increase acne severity.
Environment –
Polluted environments and
contact with certain industrial chemicals like
chlorinated hydrocarbons can cause acne in skin
that comes in contact with the chemicals.
Stress –
This is another factor that can
exacerbate acne and increase inflammation.