Acne Articles

Acne is a skin disorder where the hair follicles and pores become agitated and inflamed, leading to facial spots that show on the face and body. These blemishes can take many forms including pimples, cysts, abscesses, black heads, and in more severe cases even scarring. Acne most commonly occurs in both men and women during the adolescent stage called as puberty. This is when the body begins to have major hormonal changes as a result of building a grown-up, adult body that is capable of sex. Acne most commonly has an effect on young teenagers, but it is not limited to just them. Acne can affect both men and women of all ages; sometimes throughout their whole lives. This is more rare but certainly not irregular.

Inflammatory acne is the more apparent of the two types regarding skin appearance. Inflammatory acne can most obviously be seen on the face, but can occur on a variety of other places on the body like the legs, chest, upper arms, back, shoulders, neck, and scalp. The most common form of acne observed is the pimple. This is when the pore or hair follicle becomes irritated and forms tiny red spots on the skin surface. This is usually the end result of a number of symptoms that are seen before the actual sore is fully formed. These symptoms include open comedos, closed comedos, cysts, and pustules. Blackheads are clogged pores that have a darker appearance with an open end at the top of the skin. They are commonly found on the nose, but can also be seen on the cheeks and forehead also. Closed comedos are slightly different in that they don't have an open ended pore. They are marks that appear to be bulging out from under the skin. They will most often turn into pustules if left alone for a few days. If they are squeezed or popped, they will often become more infected and could become permanently scarred. So it is an excellent idea to leave the whiteheads alone. Consumers with whiteheads should instead use a gently exfoliating cleanser, such as Proactiv solution or Noxema.

Inflammatory and Non-infalammatory are the major types of acne. Open comedos and closed comedos are the two major types of non-inflammatory acne. A closed comedo is also called a whitehead and appears on the skin as a tiny whitish or yellowish bump. The open comedo is also known as a blackhead. A build-up of dirt, contrary to popular belief, is not the cause of blackheads. It is in reality an excess of melanin, a chemical that encompasses the hue of the skin surface. Using a gently exfoliating cleanser with anti-inflammatory aspects like Proactiv or another restorative product that contains aloe vera can minimize blackheads and whiteheads.

Sores with a whitish or yellowish color are called pustules. Whiteheads and blackheads develop from pustules. They are round sores that have become inflamed because of aggravated sebaceous glands. The body has lots of sebaceous glands that produce an oil-like chemical called sebum. When the skin is exposed to an excess of sebum, the hair follicles and pores become irritated and infected. Cysts are larger pus filled sores that appear on the surface but are in reality embedded within the skin. Because of the size and depth of the inflammation, cysts are often very painful and can be as big as an inch across the infected area. They appear as a result of the contents of a comedo spreading across the affected area and the bodies natural defense of producing pus to minimize these effects. Permanent scarring can result from cysts.

Whatever kind of skin problem there is, there is an effective treatment that is out there and available.Greater knowledge of the various kinds of acne will give the person a better idea of what the most efficient form of treatment will be. Remember, zitsdoesn’t have to make you suffer all your life. With a little research and time everyone can find the treatment that is correct for them.