Androgens (Male sex hormones - e.g. DHEA, Testosterone, DHT, 5-ANDROSTENEDIOL) - stimulate the proliferation of sebaceous gland and sebum production;
Androgens are produced (under the influence of the pituitary gland) by the ovaries in females, the testes in men and the andrenal gland by both sexes - pilosebaceous units in the skin possess all thesteroid metabolizing enzymes (such as Type 1 5a-reductase) needed to convert DHEA to more active forms,DHT and 5-ANDROSTENEDIOL, further increasing sebum production. Furthermore, sebocytes have thecapacity to produce their own androgens from cholesterol, thus exercising local control over sebum production;
What conditions elevate androgen levels ?
▲ Puberty/adolescence
▲ Using anabolic steroids
Blood sugar roller coaster ride aggravates acne
▲ LOW blood sugar level or fluctuating blood sugar from eating too many low-fiber/high-starch carbs - a dipping blood glucose level invokes an emergency response for the adrenals to signal the liver to release some of its glycogen stores, to bring back up the blood
Androgen levels decrease with age - and thus sebum production decreases with age in both men and women.In women,sebum reduces substantially after menopause.
INSULIN-LIKE GROWTH FACTOR (IGF-1) - High IGF-1 levels correlate with elevated sebum production. IGF-1 is a protein hormone produced in the liver, similar in structure to INSULIN.
What raises IGF-1?
▲HUMAN GROWTH HORMONE (hGH) stimulatesIGF-1 hormone production - hGH levels tend to be highest during adolescence (the growing years).
▲ Milk consumption is linked to Increased IGF-1
Elevated INSULIN levels could also cause increased sebum production - since INSULIN is similar in structure to IGF-1;
▲ INSULIN levels are often elevated in individuals who consume a high glycemic diet (high sugar/carbohydrate), or who have Type 2 diabetes - chronically high INSULIN resistance and T2d, offering an explanation for the observed correlation between high glycemic diets, obesity and increased incidence of acne vulgaris.
Inflammation / Increased sebum production - in a reinforcing feedback loop, trapped sebum in a clogged follicle provides an environment conducive for bacterial infection, which causes inflammation as it feeds on sebum, which increases sebum production to provide more food for bacteria.
