Beyond being unsightly, spots can impact self-esteem and social relationships. Often found in teenagers, spots can also affect adults, regardless of their age. What are the causes of spots? How and why do they form? Discover the answers to these questions here.
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What causes the occurrence of spots?
Summary
Published October 30, 2024,
updated on October 30, 2024,
by
Pauline, Chemical Engineer
—
10 min read
How do spots form?
Whether it's open or closed comedones, papules or pustules, the formation of spots is often closely linked to the pilosebaceous follicles, the skin appendages where hair originates. These hair follicles are attached to a sebaceous gland, responsible for the production of sebum. Pilosebaceous follicles are primarily found in areas prone to acne, such as the forehead, nose, cheeks, chin, chest and back. The formation of spots involves several biological processes, sometimes working in synergy.
An increase in sebum production: The primary factor responsible for the emergence of blemishes is hyperseborrhea, that is, an excessive production of sebum by the sebaceous glands. Indeed, although it is not always the case, individuals prone to skin imperfections often have a combination or oily skin. This overactivity of the sebaceous glands causes an accumulation of sebum in the hair follicle, leading to its blockage and the dilation of the skin's pores. In response to this blockage, a plug forms and a blemish appears.
An accumulation of dead cells: The blockage of hair follicles can also be caused or exacerbated by a dysfunction in the renewal of keratinocytes, the cells of the epidermis. When the latter is impaired, dead cells accumulate on the skin's surface and can mix with sebum. This phenomenon can contribute to clogging the pores and forming spots.
Bacterial colonisation: Finally, the proliferation of Cutibacterium acnes, a bacterium naturally present on the skin, can exacerbate the appearance of spots. By feeding on the triglycerides in sebum, this microorganism releases free fatty acids that irritate the follicular walls and trigger an inflammatory response. This excessive presence of C. acnes is often correlated with the formation of inflammatory spots of the type papules or pustules.
What are the causes of spots?
The mechanisms of spot formation, as previously discussed, do not activate independently but stem from various causes, which are decoded below.
Hereditary.
We are not all equal when it comes to spots, and some people are naturally more prone to them than others. Individual genetic predispositions notably influence the appearance of blemishes by playing a crucial role in the regulation of sebum production. Indeed, some individuals inherit genes that increase the activity of the sebaceous glands or enhance sensitivity to androgen hormones, stimulating sebum production. These familial predispositions manifest as a higher probability of pore blockage, one of the key factors in the formation of spots. Genetics also influence the skin microbiota and the individual immune response. This can particularly result in more or less pronounced inflammations in response to free fatty acids generated by the bacterium C. acnes.
Several studies have explored the existing link between genetics and acne. One of these, conducted in 2006 with 151 patients, showed that 54% of them had a family history of acne. Although this difference is small, the authors deemed it significant. This hypothesis of a genetic component in acne was further verified in 2014 during another study. This involved 221 patients and highlighted a family history of acne in 70.1% of them. A familial component thus appears to play a role in the formation of spots.
Hormonal changes.
Another common cause of spots: hormonal fluctuations. Indeed, an excess of androgen hormones in the blood, primarily testosterone and dihydroxytestosterone (DHT), stimulates the activity of the sebaceous glands, thereby creating a skin imbalance conducive to the development of C. acnes. This is particularly what happens during adolescence, where the amount of hormones secreted increases significantly, often leading to acne problems. However, puberty is not the only period in life prone to hormonal changes and spots, which can appear later. In adults, hormonal spots predominantly affect women, due to the numerous hormonal variations they encounter throughout their life (menstrual cycle, pregnancy, menopause, contraceptive pill...).
80% to 90%
Adolescents and young adults between the ages of 12 and 20 suffer from acne.
40%
adults over the age of 25 are affected by acne.
Stress.
Stress plays a fundamental role in hormone balance, and therefore in the amplification and frequency of spot occurrence. Indeed, during periods of stress, cortisol is secreted in large quantities. This hormone has an impact on the skin by stimulating the adrenal glands, which are responsible for the production of androgen hormones that in turn regulate the production of sebum by the sebaceous glands. A study conducted in 2017 at a medical school involving 144 female students examined the link between acne and stress and found a correlation between these students' stress levels, measured on a scale from 0 to 30, and the severity of their acne. The numerical summary of this study is presented in the table below. However, the results should be interpreted with caution as it is possible that the stress experienced by the participants may be partly due to their acne, and not the other way around.
| Acne Severity | Average levels of stress |
|---|---|
| No Acne (3 Students) | 16 |
| Mild Acne (104 female students) | 21 |
| Moderate Acne (33 female students) | 24 |
| Severe Acne (4 students) | 26 |
Évaluation des niveaux de stress chez des étudiantes selon leur degré d'acné.
Source : ALRAHMANI D. & al. The association between stress and acne among female medical students in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology (2017).
Diet.
Diet also plays a role in the occurrence of spots. More specifically, foods with a high glycaemic index, such as white bread, processed products or fruit juices, are strongly suspected of exacerbating acne. Indeed, when a food with a high glycaemic index is consumed, the concentration of glucose in the blood increases significantly. In response, the pancreas stimulates the secretion of insulin, which in turn promotes the release of the growth factor IGF-1. This factor increases the levels of androgens in the blood, thereby intensifying sebum production and the risk of blemishes. It is also interesting to note that meat and dairy products, despite their low glycaemic index, possess powerful insulin-stimulating properties. They are also likely to play a role in the formation of spots.
Some cosmetic products.
Finally, in some cases, spots can be due to certain cosmetic products. This is then referred to as cosmetic acne. Most often, this type of blemishes takes the form of small bumps on the skin or closed comedones. Products likely to cause cosmetic acne are referred to as comedogenic. They are generally very occlusive and can block the skin's pores. The concept of comedogenicity is particularly important for people with combination to oily skin as they are often prone to cosmetic acne. It should be noted that each person reacts differently: the same product can be non-comedogenic for one individual and cause blemishes for another.
Note : Contrary to a fairly widespread misconception, spots are not a sign of poor hygiene.
No matter what the cause of your spots, if they are causing you distress, it is important to seek advice from a dermatologist so that they can guide you towards a treatment suitable for your situation.
The key takeaway.
Spots are the result of an overproduction of sebum, an excessive keratinisation, and a bacterial colonisation.
Spots can be caused by genetic factors, hormonal fluctuations, stress, a diet high in glycemic index, or certain cosmetic products.
In cases of severe, persistent or distressing acne, it is recommended to consult a dermatologist.
Sources
SHAW J. C. Hormonal therapies in acne. Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy (2002).
HANCOX J. & al. Diagnosis and Treatment of Acne. American Family Physician (2004).
DINARDO J. C. & al. A re-evaluation of the comedogenicity concept. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (2006).
DRENO B. & al. Heredity: A Prognostic Factor for Acne. Dermatology (2006).
TAHIR M. & al. Pathogenesis of acne vulgaris: simplified. Journal of Pakistan Association of Dermatologists (2010).
TANGHETTI E. & al. The Role of Inflammation in the Pathology of Acne. Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology (2013).
MANGI R. & al. A Brief Review on Acne Vulgaris: Pathogenesis, Diagnosis and Treatment. Research and Reviews: Journal of Pharmacology (2014).
JOONG KIM K. & al. Heredity of acne in Korean patients. The Journal of dermatology (2014).
CHEN W. & al. Sex hormones and acne. Clinics in Dermatology (2017).
ALRAHMANI D. & al. The association between stress and acne among female medical students in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology (2017).
POTENZA C. & al. Adult Acne Versus Adolescent Acne. Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology (2018).
DIANZANI C. & al. Acne and diet: a review. International Journal of Dermatology (2021).
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