Inherited Acne or Cosmetic Acne?

Why do you get acne? Why do some people didn't suffer from acne at all throughout his or her life? And whyyyy, do you still have acne although you've done so many things already, to get rid of them? Why? 

Well... I don't know exactly why some people get acne and others don't, but I do know that certain people are born with a genetic tendency to develop acne prone skin and some just plainly blessed with perfect skin no matter what they do or put on their skin. Oh, SO unfair! :(

Just like others, I suffer from acne every now and then too! Sobs...

So why do you get acne?

Well, there are many myths about what causes acne. Some people blame their diet and foods for their outbreaks. Some think that it's their skincare that made their complexion looks so bad. Some think that dirty skin causes it. And some may even blame their parents for their acne! Figuring out why you get acne is one of the best things that you can do for a successful acne treatment! It's not really easy to know whyyy, as there are so many factors that could cause it, I know.. and once the skin is clear, you may still not know the exact reason behind all the pimples on your skin! However, understanding the common triggers of acne will help narrow the search for a clear skin solution, and you stand a better chance of fixing them!

First of all, what is acne?? Acne is a form of skin disease, which is caused by sebaceous gland blockage, and is caused by a build up of dead skin cells combined with oil and bacteria inside the pores. Which then leads to many different types of blemishes! - You might experience blackheads and whiteheads, pustules and nodules, or a combination of inflamed and non-inflamed lesions.
There are many different reasons, that could cause acne! But one thing I remember what my doctor told me last time, that acne is actually inherited as a dominant characteristic - which in other words, it's actually genetic! So if your parents both had acne, there's a 70% chance that you will have it as well!! Oh no.... T___T

So knowing your family's acne history can be helpful when trying to get clear skin. You might think that acne is caused by dirty skin or poor hygiene. And, you've probably heard that chocolate or greasy foods make you break out too. But oh well...there are so many myths about acne that may prevent people from getting the help that they need! So understanding the causes of your acne will help you make educated decisions about the best treatment solutions for your skin.

Well, both my parents had acne when they were younger. My mom actually had a perfect skin throughout her teenage years..and only had her pimples after having a bad break-up in her early twenties. - Hormonal changes I guess.. And my dad on the other hand, suffered from acne throughout his teenage years and until his mid twenties. But they both now are free from any skin disease and my mom especially, have so beautiful skin...I'm jealous! =/

And now, since I'm in my mid twenties, so I guess it's my time to suffer from acne as well?! Oh, thank you mom and dad! haha ;p

Surprisingly.. both my sisters and my brother, did not suffer from acne at all. In fact, they all have perfect skin! And I don't know whyyy...I am the only one who inherited my parent's acne! tskk... I have acne since I was 21 by the way. Hormonal changes, I guess?? Sigh. - I used to have a clear skin that even a stranger would stop me and ask about my skin...but these days, I don't know how and whyyy, every now and then I get acne on my face! tskk..

One thing for sure, having acne doesn't make anyone feel pretty or confident at all (at least for me!), and it can negatively impact your quality of life! So that's why it's so important to seek treatment right away!

"I want a blemish free skin, please!!"

Although the main causes of acne are genetic, many other factors can contribute to break outs, and certain personal habits might be making it difficult for you to get clear. But the most common causes of acne are listed below:

• Genetics
• Hormones
• Bacteria
• Skincare or Cosmetics
• Food allergies and sensitivity
• Poor diet and nutrition
• Poor cell turnover rate
• Skin picking/pimple popping
• Underlying health problem
• Stress
• Lack of sleep
• Overly active sebaceous glands
• Toxin build up
• Others

Do keep in mind that the causes of acne are different for each person. That's one reason why it can be helpful to get a customized treatment plan from an acne expert! Seek a dermatologist and ask as many questions as possible for better understanding about your skin. And also, when you're isolating the potential causes of your acne, you have to treat the process like a science experiment. - Keep track of everything: what did you put on your skin, what did you eat, how you're feeling before and during you have your acne, where you get your acne on your face, when did you break out, whether or not the pimples hurt, their sizes/how big they are, write down your menstrual cycles, etc, etc! Keep a diary of this,  and keep track of everything for a good 2-3 months or so...so you can get a better understanding of how your skin works, how it reacts, and what it likes or doesn't like!

There are many effective treatments available that can get your skin clear. If you have acne, don’t rub or touch your pimples. Squeezing, pinching or picking at them can lead to scars or dark blotches. Trust me, I know what I'm talking about! haha ;p
Gently wash your face with a mild cleanser twice a day, and after heavy exercise. Don’t use strong soaps or rough scrub pads, because they may make the problem worse!

Acne prone skin should be cleansed with a gentle cleanser that does not irritate skin, because this is to prevent the acne from worsening. Also, you should choose the skincare products that are oil-free and without irritants. So avoid using cosmetics, sunscreen or other skincare products which have irritants such as fragrance which may clog your skin. – It is recommended for acne-prone skin to use water-based or non-comedogenic products. – I would definitely recommend Papulex for this! This brand is from France by the way, and only sold to the dermatologist/clinics and selected pharmacies.. Their product is specially made for acne prone skin and their new range of acne care products is clinically demonstrated to be effective for all forms of acne!!

Anyways, several over-the-counter medicines can treat mild acne but it's always best to seek a doctor and ask his/her opinions for products that you should take/use on your face. It may take up to 8 weeks before you notice an improvement. So be patient! For more severe acne, talk to your doctor about the options and solutions!

And lastly, remember this....no matter what treatment you are on, always, always remember to wash your face morning and night and exfoliate weekly!

Talk more on acne soon! Take care girls! ;)


XOXO,
Shazzy.