Acne Articles

When pores and hair follicles become inflammed and develop blemishes on the skin surface it is known as acne. These imperfections can take many forms including pimples, cysts, abscesses, open comedos, and in more severe cases even scarring. Acne most commonly happens in both women and men during the teenage stage that is known as puberty. This is when the body begins to have big changes in hormone levels as a result of developing into a grown-up, adult body capable of sexual reproduction. Acne often has an effect on teenage males, but it is not limited to just this group. Acne can affect both men and women of all ages; sometimes for their entire lives. This is less common but without a doubt not abnormal.

Sores with a whitish or yellowish color are known as pustules. Whiteheads and blackheads form from pustules. They are round sores that are inflamed because of agitated sebaceous glands. The 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 aggravated and infected. Cysts are larger pus filled sores that develop on the top but are in reality deep 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 infected area and the bodies defense mechanism of developing pus to minimize these effects. Permanent scars can result from cysts. Inflammatory acne is the more visible of the two types when it comes to skin appearance. Inflammatory acne can mostly be seen on the face, but can appear on a variety of other spots on the body like the shoulders, neck, chest, upper arms, scalp, back, and legs. The pimple is the most obvious form of acne seen. This is when the pore or hair follicle becomes irritated and forms small red sores on the skin surface. This is usually the end result of a variety of signs that are seen before the actual sore is fully formed. These signs include blackheads, whiteheads, cysts, and pustules. Blackheads are clogged pores that have a darker hue with an open end at the surface of the epidermis. The nose is the most common area that they are seen but they can appear 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 marks that appear to be bulging out from beneath the skin. They will commonly turn into pustules if left alone for a couple of days. If the pimples are forced open or popped, they will commonly become more infected and could lead to permanent scarring. So it is a good idea to leave the whiteheads alone. People with whiteheads should instead use a gently exfoliating cleanser, like Proactiv solution or Neutrogena.

There are two major types of acne blemishes; non-inflammatory acne and inflammatory acne. The non-inflammatory category is seperated into two categories; closed comedo and open comedo. A closed comedo is otherwise called a whitehead and appears on the skin surface as a small white or yellowish bump. An open comedo is also known as a blackhead. It is dark in appearance but, contrary to popular belief, is not an excess of dirt. It is in reality a build-up of melanin, a substance that makes up the hue of the skin surface. Closed comedos and whiteheads can be minimized and maintained by using anti-inflammatory cleansers such as Proactiv or products that have aloe vera.

Whatever kind of acne there is, there is an efficient treatment that is out there and available.A better knowledge of the different kinds of acne will give the patient a better idea of what the most efficient form of medication will be. Remember, blemishesdoesn’t have to affect you all your life. With a little research and time anybody can find the treatment that is proper for them.