• Question: Why do we get acne?

    Asked by Soha? to Greg, Jen, Laura, Mobeen, Paul on 9 Mar 2016.
    • Photo: Greg Melia

      Greg Melia answered on 9 Mar 2016:

      Hi Soha,
      Teenagers commonly get acne because of the hormone changes that go on in puberty. These hormones make the glands in your skin produce more oil than usual, which in turn affects a skin bacterium called P. acnes: the bacterium is normally harmless, but the increased levels of oil cause it to create lots of pus. The good news is that when puberty is over, your hormones and oil levels go down again, so the bacterium calms down again.

      Read more at NHS Choices: http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Acne/Pages/Introduction.aspx

      Greg

    • Photo: Paul O'Mahoney

      Paul O'Mahoney answered on 9 Mar 2016:

      Greg has this pretty much covered. Although acne will generally go away it is generally a good idea to keep your skin clean, and for really bad acne there are some creams from your GP that can help with the symptoms too.

    • Photo: Jen Lowe

      Jen Lowe answered on 9 Mar 2016:

      Over production of oil by the skin cells which clogs up pores along with dead skin cells. This often happens during puberty when hormone levels are changing. GPs can offer a variety of treatments if it’s problem.
      http://www.bad.org.uk/for-the-public/patient-information-leaflets/acne

    • Photo: Laura Haworth

      Laura Haworth answered on 9 Mar 2016:

      These three have pretty much covered it. There is some very good products to help with acne these days. Although it is good to keep your face clean, use face washes etc sometimes it is just in your genes and you can’t help it.

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