Acne? Whats happening to my body?

[Giam]

In the past month I've broke out really bad with acne on my back and chest. I'm about to turn 17 and a lot has happened this month so I can't quite put my finger on what exactly is causing it. First I'll list everything that can possibly have something to do with it.

Possible Causes:
Stress
Exercise
Masturbation
Diet
Hormones?

Ok, stress. I don't know, I don't think I'm very stressed out. The only thing I can think of is my new girlfriend is causing this? Nah.

Exercise, I have been trying to get in *better* shape for the last few weeks. I ride my bike a few miles everyday and I am definitely noticing my running distance improving. I do my situps and push ups and am getting more cut and rock hard, not to mention good looking, abs.

Masturbation. Yea, I quit masturbating a few weeks ago, as a matter of fact, May 10th. I don't know, I heard it helps depression, stopping it that is. Could NOT masturbating be CAUSING acne?

Diet. Remember my exercise, well diet comes too. I have stopped drinking soda and eating candy. WTF, I don't think that helps anything cept calorie intake.

Hormones - See Masturbation.

Anyway, the only thing I am doing to counter this old enemy who has new tricks is using Netrugena Body Cleanser with Suyaticsomething Acid. And some kind of face cream crap. I'm actually glade its on my back and not my face, but now its beginning on my chest and that just pisses me off. I've just started this new treatment so I'll update ya in a week.

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Debate? Oh, right, um. What is your view on Causes of acne and what treatment do you use? If you want to debate, discussion is nice too.

 

[Fafnir]

Ok, stress. I don't know, I don't think I'm very stressed out. The only thing I can think of is my new girlfriend is causing this? Nah.

Depends, compare her to past relationships or 'stress' experiances you've had in your life... I dunno....

Exercise, I have been trying to get in *better* shape for the last few weeks. I ride my bike a few miles everyday and I am definitely noticing my running distance improving. I do my situps and push ups and am getting more cut and rock hard, not to mention good looking, abs.

Doesn't sweat getting clogged up in pores help the growth of acne? Make sure you wash after doing your excercises.

Masturbation. Yea, I quit masturbating a few weeks ago, as a matter of fact, May 10th. I don't know, I heard it helps depression, stopping it that is. Could NOT masturbating be CAUSING acne?

Well, only one way to find out. Time to get your hands dirty.

Diet. Remember my exercise, well diet comes too. I have stopped drinking soda and eating candy. WTF, I don't think that helps anything cept calorie intake.

Well, other then I guess less greasy foods, make sure that if you get any food on your face or wherever, that you wash it(who wouldn't....).

Hormones - See Masturbation.

No way to stop this, unless you want to become a gelding.

Anyway, the only thing I am doing to counter this old enemy who has new tricks is using Netrugena Body Cleanser with Suyaticsomething Acid. And some kind of face cream crap. I'm actually glade its on my back and not my face, but now its beginning on my chest and that just pisses me off. I've just started this new treatment so I'll update ya in a week.

----

Debate? Oh, right, um. What is your view on Causes of acne and what treatment do you use? If you want to debate, discussion is nice too.

The only precautions I take are washing my face when I get up and before I go to bed, and I havn't had a real bad breakout(a few here and there) all school year(although I'm starting to get quite a few... possibly exam stress, but I'm done those now, so that shouldn't apply....).

Hormones is probably a factor. Also, do you have any skin conditions?

 

[Rhazdel]

To recap/add to Fafnir:

Ok, stress. I don't know, I don't think I'm very stressed out. The only thing I can think of is my new girlfriend is causing this? Nah.

Stress can cause acne and other unrelated side effects, and any significant change (even a positive one) can cause stress on the body. However, this is probably nothing to worry about unless you are losing sleep over it.

Exercise, I have been trying to get in *better* shape for the last few weeks. I ride my bike a few miles everyday and I am definitely noticing my running distance improving. I do my situps and push ups and am getting more cut and rock hard, not to mention good looking, abs.

Steroids are bad, ummkay? Just kidding. But seriously, make sure you always shower after you exercise. As Fafnir said, sweat can clog your pores and cause acne.

Masturbation. Yea, I quit masturbating a few weeks ago, as a matter of fact, May 10th. I don't know, I heard it helps depression, stopping it that is. Could NOT masturbating be CAUSING acne?

Hahaha. No. Masturbation has never been proven to be linked in any way to acne or hair growth.

Diet. Remember my exercise, well diet comes too. I have stopped drinking soda and eating candy. WTF, I don't think that helps anything cept calorie intake.

Try to avoid anything with high sugar amounts or greasy foods. Stopping the soda/candy intake actually should start to help improve your complextion. Be mindful, however, because junk food isn't the only food that can cause acne.

Hormones - See Masturbation.

Again, probably not masturbation, but hormones are a possiblity. With increased exercise you are pumping out more testosterone (male hormone). Increased testosterone (or a fluctuation in testosterone levels) can lead to acne. That is why so many people have acne problems when they go through puberty.

Continue using body scrubs and cleansers regularly, moderate your diet, and remember not to overdo it with the exercise and your body should normal out fairly soon. If it doesn't, the best thing you can do is to see a dermatologist.

 

[arcthemonkey]

Junk food causing acne is something of an urban legend, I believe.

I'm betting 90% it's hormones. Unless you are REALLY stressed.

Exercise is supposed to help with acne, if you wash up after getting sweaty.

But yeah, it's probably hormones. You should talk to a dermatologist if it's bothering you.

 

[Rhazdel]

Diet has been pretty solidly linked to skin condition/acne. Foods high in fat/grease soak into every part of your body. It can clog your arteries, fatten your belly and even seep into your pores, clogging them up.

Another thing I never thought of, what is your profession? Jobs that are around greasy things (ie: fast food restaurants) or other dirty jobs can also be hard on the skin. If your job gets you dirty, make sure to shower immediately after you come home from work, and possibly even wear more/better protective gear while on the job to help prevent dirt, grime and grease from coming in contact with your skin.

 

[benben]

I think you're growing up... and get a new level-up in real life^^
(anyway, hormones are in first place in guiltie's box... )

 

[Giam]

I don't have a job at the moment. Even when I did it wasn't anything dirty. My bet is on stress or hormones.

 

[arcthemonkey]

Diet has been pretty solidly linked to skin condition/acne. Foods high in fat/grease soak into every part of your body. It can clog your arteries, fatten your belly and even seep into your pores, clogging them up.

I can't find, in all of my searching of Ebsco or PubMed, a single study linking fatty foods with Acne. I'd love it if you could provide a study to the contrary, but I don't think it exists.

 

[Juuhou]

This same type of thing happened to me last year as well, I was 17 and it bugged the hell out of me. What I did to get rid of it was to product myself up , before going to bed. Clearasil will do wonders after a few weeks that or some good oxypads. It may seem kinda weird using products...but as long as it isnt public and you start looking better I think its all worth it. Its really annoying when it gets on your back and chest...as it really does not look appealing at all. Just gotta work on it and try to make it a daily routine or something to keep it from coming back or getting worse.

That, working out, and cleaning yourself up everyday will get you back to where you want to be. (First hand experience).

Also, I just want to add that its probably just the damn hormones.

 

[holloway]

Arc, it's because, generally, foods with a high fat content are generally lacking in vitamins and minerals. There is no link with fat, apart from causing general spots, and acne, but it's the fact most junk food consumers don't get enough of a balanced diet, which fucks up your hormones.

 

[Rhazdel]

Actually, I have read mixed reviews on diet affecting skin condition, so I am not entirely sure either way. It's kind of like the "is milk good or bad for you?" question. It depends on who you ask. Some doctors say "yes" and others say "no".

 

[Giam]

Food, eh, I did have a whole 2 pizzas last weekend. That could be the cause of this recent chest acne development, if food has anything to do with it.

Anyway, my exercise was put on hold all this week, today might be the first day I go out and ride a few miles. My skin is losing redness and I haven't seen anything new pop up. I am using Body Clear(R) Body Wash by Neutrogena(R), which is Dermatologist recommended (Salicylic Acid 2%), and I am using Noxzema(R) triple clean blackhead cleanser for my face. I put both of these on in the shower after I scrub with a wet rag and lather real good on my body and massage gently with the Noxzema stuff. I leave it all sit for about (this is gonna sound stupid, but I am working on increasing the length I can hold my breath, so after I get done applying I hold my breath as long as I can and when I breath next I rinse it all off) a minute, then I rinse it off and get out of the shower.

The whole point of that was: My treatment looks like its working, yay. And I don't know how to do the Circle R thing so I put (R).

 

[madmax_vii]

'tis the curse of puberty, child.

 

[Eivien]

In my experience, products like clearasil work pretty badly if at all. It will be your hormones that are causing it, diet and lack of hygeine causing acne is more of a myth than reality.

When i was 16 to 17 i had a really bad problem with acne, i mean REALLY bad; the problem is because its genetic most of these skin cleansers probably won't work... remember skin hygeine is not your problem.

I would advise going to see your doctor, they can perscribe drugs against it these days, most of which will work, you don't need to let your family know if you don't want to, your local GP should treat it confidentially.
If your depressed acne is most likely a cause as much as a side effect, it is a depressing thing to have because your always thinking that people are looking at you and thinking that you don't wash and stuff like, i was depressed when i had my Acne, and it was so bad that in the end the doctor had to perscribe a pretty harsh drug and that was pretty bad whilst i was taking it, but since the acne went its never come back even if do go a few days without washing too well i.e. in camping trips and stuff. So the best advice if your still have the problem is your GP.

 

[Title Loan Man]

You should up your intake of water drastically. I've had some battles in my day, and I've noticed a consistent winning streak over the course of the past two or so years as I've gradually increased my intake of water. I hardly ever have breakouts now, and the ones that I do have seem to always follow a week or so of poor hydration.

Hey, at the very least you're gonna be better hydrated...

 

[Mr.Mo]

In my experience, products like clearasil work pretty badly if at all. It will be your hormones that are causing it, diet and lack of hygeine causing acne is more of a myth than reality.

When i was 16 to 17 i had a really bad problem with acne, i mean REALLY bad; the problem is because its genetic most of these skin cleansers probably won't work... remember skin hygeine is not your problem.

It does not cause it, but it does makes it worse. Let's look what doctors say:

With excess sebum production, the cell lining of the follicle wall also starts to overproduce (Ductal hypercornification).These dead cells along with the extra amount of sebum plugs the canal and accumulates there. Soon, the bacteria present on the skin surface, namely Propionibacterium acnes, invade these clogged ducts and attract white blood cells of the immune system. The infected area becomes inflamed due to the reaction between white blood cells and the bacteria.

(source)

The more bacteria you have, the worse it would be :p.

The exact cause of acne is unknown, but doctors believe it results from several related factors. One important factor is an increase in hormones called androgens (male sex hormones). These increase in both boys and girls during puberty and cause the sebaceous glands to enlarge and make more sebum. Hormonal changes related to pregnancy or starting or stopping birth control pills can also cause acne.

Another factor is heredity or genetics. Researchers believe that the tendency to develop acne can be inherited from parents. For example, studies have shown that many school-age boys with acne have a family history of the disorder. Certain drugs, including androgens and lithium, are known to cause acne. Greasy cosmetics may alter the cells of the follicles and make them stick together, producing a plug.

Factors That Can Make Acne Worse

Factors that can cause an acne flare include:

* Changing hormone levels in adolescent girls and adult women 2 to 7 days before their menstrual period starts
* Oil from skin products (moisturizers or cosmetics) or grease encountered in the work environment (for example, a kitchen with fry vats)
* Pressure from sports helmets or equipment, backpacks, tight collars, or tight sports uniforms (I can vouch for this)
* Environmental irritants, such as pollution and high humidity
* Squeezing or picking at blemishes
* Hard scrubbing of the skin
* Stress.

(source)
*Red by me.

So technically, you are correct, it is a myth. It is most likely his hormones that cause it. If his hygiene is bad, it might worsen it.

I just googled this and the sites "seem" authentic, but whatever. Just trying to help.

 

[Eivien]

The interesting point here is that hard scrubbing can make it worse, a lot of people with acne resort to that because they think they have it because they are somehow unclean.

Infact most people with really bad acne are some of the most hygienic people you will meet because they are desperate to get rid of it...

 

[Giam]

Yea, thats me...

Anyway, I have stoped using that acne specialized stuff. It turns out I'm one of those people that is seems to have the opposite effect on, the only thing that works for me is the face pads, Stridex.

All I use now is the all natural sope, Ivory, or something, and my Head and Shoulders. I take fast showers, get in, get clean, and get out. I don't scrub as hard anymore cause, like Eivien said, it just makes it worse.

Seems to be working, nothing new popping up.

 

[Lene]

Yeah, I found that all that Neutragena shit dries out your skin horribly. Also, I found that if you start using something like that and stop you go through sort of a withdrawal process...where your skin starts acting up strangely.

Don't be like my sister who is using Proactiv (talk about a successful ad campaign) for absolutely no reason at all. She never even had acne to begin with!

I wouldn't know what to do with full blown acne, but I use an exfoliator occasionally when I see that things might be a problem. It's better than scrubbing at your face that's for sure. (St. Ives, it's good for sensitive skin).

 

[Grandor]

Yeah, it's not recommend you wash your face more than 2 times a day or your face can really dry up which makes the problem worse. Don't pick at your face though. That's really not good, your just infecting the area and if the area gets infected, white blood cells go to fight the infection and can leave the place more red. It's a fact of life, we all go through it. Also if you wear long hair try not to keep it covering your face as that can cause sweat and other toxins to accumulate which can cause more problems.