Salient. Newspaper of the Victoria University Students' Association. Vol 42 No. 13. June 11 1979

What Causes it?

What Causes it?

First of all, acne has nothing whatever to do with unclean living or personal habits. A tendency to acne is usually an inherited characteristic. The causes have not been definitely pinpointed, but here are some of the aggravating factors:
  • a temporary imbalance in the hormone secretions. These hormones produced by the maturing endocrine glands, are body chemicals which help to determine physical and mental appearance. They are normally well balanced but increase in quantity and activity during puberty so that the oil glands in the skin tend to over secrete and become plugged. The hair may also become excessively oily at this time and dandruff may appear.
  • the wrong kind do
  • the wrong kind of diet
  • a neglected case of dandruff
  • emotional upsets
  • poor general physical condition
  • sluggish bowels
  • menstrual upsets - acne is usually worse on the pre-menstrual period
  • lack of fresh air and sun (only in moderation, too much sun ages the skin)
  • infected teeth or tonsils and other infections.