What causes pimples and how long they take to form are good questions. The answers are a bit confusing as science to date has not been able to pinpoint clear reasons for acne formation. Even so, the conclusion that has been reached in this regard is that the sebaceous glands of the skin that secrete fat cause these pustules. These glands enlarge at the time of puberty, making it clear why teenagers struggle more with acne.
Are you worried about pimples too or did you just have a teenager? A single pimple or many pimples are all acne. Either way, young or old, who in all the world would want a pimple? It’s a shame and it makes your self-esteem plummet. You may have already asked how long it takes for pimples to form. If so, that’s a good thing, because the more information you have on hand about acne, the better prepared you’ll be to treat it effectively and prevent new ones from forming.
Your root cause
Blackheads start in hair follicles more than 2 weeks before you can see them. So once you know you’re getting one or more, you should immediately start a preventative treatment regimen.
To understand how long it takes for these pesky blemishes to form, you first need to understand how pimples are related to hair follicles. Hair follicles contain sebaceous glands that contain a substance called sebum. This sebum after forming in the hair follicle slowly rises to the surface of the skin. The hormones that are released in the body play a vital role in deciding how much sebum the sebaceous glands will produce.
The hormone androgen and progesterone trigger excessive sebum production in both men and women, and those who have high levels of these hormones have acne-prone skin. Sebum on its way to the skin’s surface picks up dirt and debris as it gets closer to the surface. It then goes and blocks the pores in the skin, clogging the hair follicles. Bacteria attack the skin when it is clogged with sebum or perspiration. This bacteria known scientifically as P. acnes lives on your skin and becomes an acne-damaging rogue, thriving and growing in clogged hair follicles.
This all takes 2-4 weeks, which is plenty of time for you to take action rather than grieve over the condition of your tattered skin.
Types and causes
Acne comes in various forms and the most common are blackheads and whiteheads. These are harmless non-inflammatory acne but they make the face quite unsightly.
Now, if the bacteria infects a whitehead, papule, or pustule, a pimple forms. Such acne is inflammatory in nature and can be mild to severe in nature.
In very severe cases of acne, cysts and nodules develop, rupture and spread the infection causing permanent scarring.
They all secrete oil from their glands, but unfortunately some secrete it more than others. Genetics play havoc here, as do pregnancy and other hormonal fluctuations in the body. All causes of acne. Other modern factors like stress, pollution and change of diet are also causes of pimples. Dead skin cells that seem harmless enough can also clog hair follicles and cause pimples.
Basically, there is no single reason for acne and no set time for acne to form. Pimples form for a number of reasons and the time it takes for them to form also varies from person to person. You can combat acne problem in its early stage with proper care.