Acne Articles

Acne is a common disorder where the hair follicles and pores become agitated and inflamed, leading to facial imperfections that show on the skin. These imperfections can take many forms including pimples, cysts, abscesses, black heads, and in more severe cases even scarring. Acne most often happens in both women and men during the teenage stage known as puberty. This is when the human body begins to undergo obvious changes in hormone levels as a result of developing into a grown-up, adult body that is capable of sexual reproduction. Acne often afflicts male teenagers, but it is not limited to just this group. Acne can affect both men and women of all ages; sometimes all the way through their entire adult lives. This is more rare but definitely not abnormal.

Sores with a whitish or yellowish hue are known as pustules. Whiteheads and blackheads develop from pustules. They are round sores that are inflamed because of itirritated sebaceous glands. The human body has lots of sebaceous glands that produce an oil-like substance 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 can be seen on the top but are in reality deep within the epidermis. Because of the size and depth of the inflammation, cysts are often very unpleasant and can be as big as an inch across the infected area. They form as a result of the contents of a comedo spreading across the infected area and the bodies defense mechanism of developing pus to minimize these effects. Cysts can leave deep and permanent scars. Inflammatory zits are the more apparent of the two types in regard to skin appearance. Inflammatory acne can mostly be seen on the face, but can form on a number of other spots on the body like the legs, chest, upper arms, back, shoulders, neck, and scalp. The zit is the most obvious form of acne observed. This is when a pore or hair follicle becomes irritated and forms tiny red sores on the skin surface. Before the sore is fully formed there are symptoms that can be observed. These signs 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 epidermis. They are more often than not found on the nose, but can also be observed on the cheeks and forehead as well. White heads are a little bit different in that they don't have an open ended pore. They are spots that seem to be bulging out from beneath the skin. If not agitated for a few days whiteheads will turn into pustules. If they are squeezed or popped, they will generally become more infected and could become scarred. So it is an excellent idea to leave the whiteheads alone. Consumers with whiteheads should instead use a gently exfoliating cleanser, like Proactive solution or Noxema.

There are two major types of acne; non-inflammatory acne and inflammatory acne. The non-inflammatory category is divided into two categories; closed and open comedo. A closed comedo is also known as a whitehead and develops on the skin as a tiny whitish or yellow hump. The open comedo is also known as a blackhead. It is dark in appearance but, contrary to popular belief, is not a build-up of oil and grime. It is in reality a build-up of melanin, a substance that makes up the hue of the skin. Closed comedos and whiteheads can be minimized and controlled by using anti-inflammatory cleaners such as Proactive or products that contain aloe vera.

Whatever kind of zits there is, there is a good treatment that is out there and available.More knowledge of the different types of acne will give the acne sufferer a more complete idea of what the most effective form of medication will be. Remember, pimplesdoesn’t have to make you suffer all your life. With a little research and time anyone can find the treatment that is perfect for them.