To understand what causes Acne, we need to talk about androgen. To start, androgen can enlarge the sebaceous glands in hair follicles, leading to greater amounts of oily sebum being produced and resulting in acne. Androgen is a hormone which promotes male characteristics such as facial hair growth and deepening of the voice. At puberty there is an increase of this hormone in both men and women causing a thickening of the outer layer of skin which may result in hair follicles becoming clogged with dead skin cells (keratin). Androgen hormones are present in females as well as males. A sudden increase in these hormones takes place at puberty.

Androgens do two things: First, they enlarge the sebaceous glands in the skin. Second, they cause these glands to increase sebum (oil) production. Androgens cause the sebaceous glands to enlarge (hormonal acne may result). This process is part of normal development.

Skin damaging rays can get through an overcast sky and effect the causes of adult acne directly. Why not add a pretty wide rimmed hat, for even more protection before you go outdoors. Skin cells rapidly divide and sometimes block the opening of hair follicles. Skin is covered with tiny hair follicles each with a gland that produces an oily substance called sebum. In some people the gland becomes over-active producing more oil which mixes with dead skin cells and blocks the follicle.

Treatment will typically have to continue until the patient reaches their 20s. Treatments are simple - you simply sit with your face close to the light for a short time each treatment session. Treatments are usually scheduled every week for a six week period. Treatment may include drug therapy to treat acne. Depending upon the severity of acne, topical medications (medications applied directly to the skin) or systemic medications (medications taken orally) may be prescribed by a physician.

Factors that may cause occlusion include certain cosmetics, oils, greases, and hairsprays. Hats, helmets and pads used in sports may also contribute to this problem as can humidity, sweating and the prolonged effect of contact with damp clothing. Factors such as stress, the state of one's internal health, diet and lifestyle changes may contribute to excessive body production of sebum, which the skin is unable to eliminate effectively. This will clog pores more and promote the exacerbation of pimples, leading to cystic acne. Factors that may cause occlusion include certain cosmetics, oils, greases, and hairsprays. Hats, helmets and pads used in sports may also contribute to this problem as can humidity, sweating and the prolonged effect of contact with damp clothing.

Sebum is made in much larger amounts during and right after puberty than at other times in a woman's life. Sebum then blocks pores to form whiteheads, which form under the skin, and blackheads, which are open to the air. Sebum gets accumulated in follicles. Bacterial infection thus comes in to light.

Hormone levels control the amount of sebum produced by the body. This is especially common in female acne patients. Hormonal changes that occur during your period or when you start or stop taking birth control pills can also cause an acne flare-up. In some cases, however, certain birth control pills are prescribed as a treatment for acne. Hormonal and chemical imbalances in your body are the major causes of the acne condition that you currently experience. Such imbalances in your body cause your sebaceous glands to secrete more oil (sebum) than usual, which in most situations results in pimples breakouts.

Hormones, on the other hand, cause the sebaceous glands to overact, causing enlargement and over activity of the oil glands in skin. Hormones are responsible for the maturing of oil glands in our skins, and when those are blocked a pimple is born. Hormones are more active when we grow up and in our adult life, so this is why acne is experienced by teenagers and adults and not by children.