What is acne? Acne is a term attributed to plugged pores, commonly known as blackheads and whiteheads, pimples, and even cysts or nodules, occur on the face, neck, chest, back, shoulders and upper arms. Follicles, often called pores, often get blocked with sebum (oil), which normally drains to the surface, and a bacteria propionibacterium acnes, begins to grow. Both whiteheads and blackheads start out as a “microcomedone” which then become skin blemishes called comedones. Acne can be upsetting, disfiguring, sometimes leading to permanent scarring.

There are different types of acne. A white head is a lesion where trapped sebum and bacteria stay below the skin surface. A blackhead, on the other hand, is a lesion where trapped sebum and bacteria partially open to the surface and turn black due to the skin pigment melanin.

A papule is a small solid lesion slightly elevated above the surface of the skin. A pustule, again, is a dome-shaped skin elevation containing pus: a mixture of white blood cells, dead skin cells, and bacteria. It often has a hair in the center. A macule is a temporary red spot left by a healed acne lesion. It is flat and pinkish, with well-defined borders that can persist for days to weeks. A number of macules can contribute to the “inflamed face” appearance of acne. A nodule is a solid dome-shaped or irregularly shaped lesion, characterized by pain, inflammation and extending into deeper layers of the skin. It may cause tissue destruction resulting in scarring.

A cyst is a sac-like lesion containing white blood cells, dead cells, and bacteria. It may be severely inflamed and painful, extending into deeper layers of the skin and can result in scarring.

Who gets acne? Acne affects teenagers mostly; however it can occur in adults of all age groups also. Acne starts between the ages of ten and thirteen and usually lasts for five to ten years. It normally goes away on its own in the early twenties but can stretch into the late twenties or thirties or even beyond. Some people get acne for the first time as adults.

The treatment of acne is not difficult at all. Following a clear regimen helps considerably. Gentle cleansing plus plenty of 2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide gives a clear skin as Benzoyl peroxide kills the acne bacteria well. A little itchiness after an application is quite normal, and some people also experience redness of the skin for the initial couple of weeks. However, this will definitely get better because it will cure the acne and prevent any new outbreaks.

There is no exact cause for acne. There are several factors that doctors think bring on this problem for many people. One of those important factors is the hormone level in the body. The hormones are called androgens and increase in both boys and girls when they are going through puberty. This is the reason why there are so many pre teens and teenagers that have to deal with acne get some form of acne medication to treat it.
Another cause of acne is genetics. If a child has a parent that had to deal with a lot of acne problems as a child, then chances are they will too. When a pre teen or teenager sees that they are having a problem with acne, it is important for them to seek acne medication to help fight this problem early so that there are no long term affects of the acne.
One factor that can cause acne in girls is their menstrual period. This is a time when hormones are really active and this can cause a flare up of problems in most pre adolescent girls. There are many acne medications that can treat this problem and get their skin looking perfect again over a time period. It will take time for the skin to clear up and get back to normal.

Pregnancy and birth control pills are another reason why women get acne. When a woman is pregnant this is a time when her hormones are changing and all different things are happening to her body. Birth control pills are another source that will cause women to have an acne problem and have to resort to acne medication.

Certain medications that people have to take can also cause acne to occur in certain people. This is typically normal and can affect just about anyone. Usually once the body accepts the medications the acne will stop or at least lessen. There are acne medications to help when this is the case.
Certain fabrics as well can cause acne to appear also. Wearing tight collars, backpacks, and hats can bring on a case of acne on any part of the body. That is another factor; acne can be on any part of the body. It is not just limited to the face. When acne appears on different parts of the body, you may be able to control it with over the counter medicine or you may have to go to a doctor for your acne medications.
There are many myths of way acne starts, like chocolate or greasy foods. However, there are no actual links to these rumors and it is not proven. However, in some cases a person’s diet will affect their skin and that it why it is important to have a healthy well balanced diet so that you do not need acne medications in the future.

Acne primarily occurs when the pores of our face get clogged with whiteheads, blackheads or lumps like cysts or nodules. Acne appears on the face, neck, chest, shoulders, back and the upper arms. It is very common with teenagers but adults till the age of forty can be affected by acne. It is not at all hazardous to health but it creates blemishes on the body, which in turn is very irritating. Acne causes scarring which are often permanent.

Acne is not dependent upon race, ethnicity, color or sex. Nearly 100% of people belonging to the age group of twelve to seventeen suffer from the occasional blackhead, whitehead or pimple. Most of these young people are able to take care of this problem with some medications that can be had over the counter. For some the problem is serious and needs professional care. About 40% of adolescents and teenagers suffer from severe problems that require the assistance of a physician to be cured.

When does it start?

Acne hits between the ages of ten and thirteen. The condition persists for the next five to ten years. It normally disappears in the early twenties though it can stay till one is in their late twenties, thirties or even later than that. There have been cases when people start getting acne when they are well into adulthood.

Men or women?

There has been no concrete evidence to show whether men or women suffer more from acne. But young men are more prone to the different forms of acne than women. For men acne is far more severe and lasts really longer than women. Despite this men do not visit the dermatologist as often as they should.

Young women usually have acne that occurs intermittently. This is caused by hormonal changes that are associated with the menstrual cycle. Acne can also be caused by the use of cosmetics without understanding whether they are suitable to the particular skin type or not. These kinds of acne can happen to women who are well into their adulthood.

Where do they occur?

Acne can occur most commonly on the face but they also occur on the chest, back, shoulders, scalp, neck, upper arms and legs.

Impact

Acne may seem to be very trivial but you will be surprised to know that it does have an economic impact as well. Approximately a hundred million dollars a year are spent on non-prescriptive drugs that most teenagers buy to get rid of acne. This amount does not include the money spent on the cleansers and soaps that have been made for controlling acne. Besides this one needs to visit the dermatologist and buy the medicines that he has prescribed. This also needs money.

You have come to know that you are not the only one who is suffering from this problem. A careful skin-cleansing regimen needs to be followed to have a healthy skin.

Usually acne or pimples appear when you are in the period of puberty, teenagers oftern suffer from it. Suddenly the red spot then growing to be a bigger one appears on the face, then it spreads in some numbers of them on the face.

With some special treatments and good maintaining of food and taking a look at the hormonal system of yours, then acne can be diminished from the face. yes, it can cause a matter of inconvinience and uncomfortable feelings, also, the feeling of losing self confidence because of acne …those are some feelings appearing after acne comes to your faces.

But, when it happens to adults…

some can it very seriously. should we feel worried about the acne attacking when you are in the mature ages?

According to Pimples Past Puberty: Dealing With Adult Acne

Provided By: Berkeley Wellness, Adult acne is usually mild and tends to clear up on its own or with a little self help (see below). But if it persists or develops suddenly, see your doctor or dermatologist. Mild-to-moderate cases are usually treated with topical medicines (they may contain benzoyl peroxide, antibiotics, retinoids, and other ingredients); oral medications (including antibiotics) may help in more severe cases. What works for teens generally works for adults, too, although adult skin may be both more sensitive and more resistant to various ingredients. A dermatologist may also do light therapy, chemical peels, and gentle extractions. If hormone imbalance is a factor in a woman, oral contraceptives or an anti-androgen may be prescribed. The drug isotretinoin (Accutane) is very effective for scarring acne, but it has serious side effects and must not be taken by pregnant women or women who could become pregnant during treatment; it’s safe to become pregnant a month after you stop the drug.

From the explanation above, yes, mature ages especially for women sometimes suffer from the change of imbalance hormonal system which finally leads to the acne problem, anyway this matter can be handled very easily and can be maintained to remove all acnes much faster than the one attacking to teenagers. Some treatments are suggested to help cure this acne problem, but maybe the treatment will be rather complex if the acne itself stays persistently.

Sometimes the treatment cannot be just suitable for the acne patients, when the external treatment can not be resulting for what they have expected, then maybe it is the time to control your internal treatment, the same as doing some diet to manage what types of food are needed to intake.

So, the battle to acne is not that difficult and consuming so much cost if you have managed to create such a balance in what you are eating, what you are thinking in your mind (release stress), and what treatment you are starting with. A daily simple cleansing process will lead you to much healtier face, clear without acne/pimple.

Healthy life….is a mutual key to lead you to stay away from acne/pimple for everyone.