Theories On the Cause of Acne

During the last few decades there have been many suppositions and theories put forward regarding the cause for acne in an effort to determine the root cause of the skin disorder and therefore eliminate this disease which can have terrible social implications. Theories regarding the cause of acne run rampant.

Is it the climate? Could it be genetics? Are hormones to blame? Is it what you eat? Is it simply a coincidence? In the next few pages, we’ll take a look at various theories offered to explain acne.

Many theories would seem to indicate that acne is simply a normal part of life, especially during the teen years. Well meaning advice givers state that it is simply a phase that one must endure. While that is all well and good, the only problem with that supposition is that some people bear the burden and embarrassment of acne while others float through life never experiencing it at all. If acne really is just a ‘side effect’ of those horrible teen years, why is it that some teens never seem to be effected by it all?

Other theories indicate that acne must be caused by a poor hygiene regimen. If you get acne, then you must not be cleansing well enough. According to this myth, individuals who experience problems with acne should scrub their skin thoroughly to remove excess oil, dirt and bacteria. That might sound plausible enough, except for the fact that many people who have problems with acne border on almost obsessive-compulsiveness when it comes to being clean. Additionally, health professionals have now pointed out that in many cases you can actually make acne worse by over-cleaning and aggravating existing acne.

Another common theory offered to explain the presence of acne blames stress as the culprit. While severe stress can bring on a number of physical side effects; which might include acne, stress is not the culprit behind the millions of cases of acne effecting individuals ranging in age from teens to adults across the United States.

One theory, which was held by a large percentage of the population, speculated that acne was possibly caused by diet. According to this theory, acne eruptions could be blamed on partaking of too much greasy food such as French fries, pizza and chocolate.

This theory gained much popularity throughout the 1950’s and well into the 1960’s. Teens, in particular, were advised that if they wanted to cure their acne problems all they needed to do was limit, or cut out all together, their intake of such food products.

Next: Is there a Link Between Diet and Acne?