Acne, The Real Truth

Put very simply, acne, or as it is often misspelled acnee, is a skin condition that is caused when a skin follicle, also known as a pore, becomes blocked. At the base of each pore are what are called Sebaceous Glands, which produce Sebum, a natural body oil. When the pore becomes blocked, this oil, or Sebum can no longer be expelled through the pore, and bacteria begins to grow.

75% of all teenagers suffer from acne sue to the fact that sebum production is often caused by an increase in hormonal activity.

Areas of the body where acne most commonly occurs:

Acne characteristically occurs in areas of the body that are oilier, such as:

•The upper arms

•The chest

•The neck

•The shoulders

•The back

•The face

Acne comes in two main forms, Inflammatory and Non-inflammatory.

Inflammatory acne usually presents itself as pimples or cysts;

1.Pimples begin life as papules. These papules occur when the follicle or pore wall breaks, and white blood cells hurry to repair the break, unintentionally blocking the follicle. Some days later, a papule will form as the white blood cells become visible on the surface as a large bump or pimple.

2.A cyst is formed when an inflamed lesion breaks, causing the surrounding skin and possibly even nearby follicles to become infected.

Non-Inflammatory acne presents itself as whiteheads, or blackheads.

1.Whiteheads form when the bacteria that have embedded themselves in the follicle, and the sebum remain below the skin's surface. This is usually visible as a small white spot, but are often so small as to remain unseen.

2.Blackheads happen when that bacteria and sebum force through the skin's surface. They are then exposed to air and oxidise. This gives them their black colouring. This black spot is not dirt, cannot be wiped away, and take a long time to disappear naturally.

If non-inflammatory acne is left untreated, it can develop into inflammatory acne.

Why does Acne Occur?

Acne appears to be formed from an assortment of causes.

Dermatologists agree that androgen hormones are one of the leading causes associated with acne development. These androgen hormones appear to be produced in larger numbers during puberty, as well as during female menstruation and during pregnancy.

It is often found that parents who have suffered from acne will have children who are acne sufferers thus suggesting that acne may have a genetic cause

Certain cosmetics, hair products, skin products, and even some steroid and hormonal medications may also be a cause of acne. However, Acne is not caused by poor hygiene. In fact, over scrubbing the face is likely to make acne worse.

Contrary to popular belief, acne is not just a condition limited to those undergoing puberty. In actual fact, it is the most common skin condition in the US. Reports have shown that 80% of people between the ages of 20 and 30 have mild or moderate acne. 50% of adult women and 25% of adult men are acne sufferers. It has even been known for it to occur in babies and young children.

By: Dave Arnoldi

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