Hygiene And Acne - Are They Linked?

Is there a connection between acne and hygiene? According to popular belief, acne is caused by the hormonal changes that take place inside our body. These changes cause excess oil production that leads to clogging of skin pores, thus causing acne.

Hormonal changes are definitely the medical reason for pimples, but hygiene also contributes to the cause. So it would be wrong to say that acne and hygiene have no connection. If hygiene is not a major cause of acne, the lack of it definitely aggravates the situation.

For those who do not know the basic cause of formation of pimples, it is due the secretion of sebum from the sebaceous glands. Sebum is a natural oil. Sebaceous gland tends to produce more sebum when they are stimulated with the help of androgens, or a hormone produced by adrenal glands. The production of androgens tends to increase during puberty. That is the reason why most of the teenagers-both boys and girls are seen suffering from pimples. But the problem of pimples is not limited to teenagers, even adult men and women also face this problem some time or the other. So fighting with pimples is a challenge not only for teenagers, but also for grown-ups.

Pimples are related to hygiene, because they are bacterial in nature. Acne has lots of bacteria trapped inside it, and if cleanliness is not maintained, bacteria spreads around the affected area, and tends to intensify the infection. When this infection spreads around, acne develops into a cyst, and causes inflammation. Once a pimple grows into a cyst, treating the infection takes a long time. Thus, maintaining proper cleanliness is of utmost importance while dealing with acne.

Few Hygiene Tips for Acne Prone Skin:

• Wash the face 2-3 times during the day to reduce oiliness
• Clean the face properly after coming from outdoors because dust aggravates the bacterial infection
• Shampoo your hair frequently to reduce oil and moisture in your scalp
• Use mild soap for washing
• Do not touch the affected area with naked hands because this will add to the bacterial infection
• Wash away any make-up as soon as possible

Sticking to a cleanliness routine will help in reducing pimples. Maintaining clean and clear skin is important not only to prevent and control pimples, but also to keep the skin healthy in general. Healthy, strong skin will have the needed resistance to fight infections. Thus you can avoid acne by following a proper cleanliness and hygiene regime.