Acne Articles

Acne is a skin disorder where the hair follicles and pores become irritated and inflamed, leading to facial spots that show on the skin surface. These blemishes can take many forms including pimples, cysts, abscesses, open comedos, and in more severe cases even permanent scarring. Acne most often occurs in both men and women during the teenage stage that is known as puberty. This is when the human body begins to develop big changes in hormone levels as a result of building a mature, adult body that is capable of sex. Acne most commonly affects male teenagers, but it is not limited to just this group. Acne can affect both sexes of all ages; sometimes for their entire lives. This is less common but definitely not abnormal.

Inflammatory and Non-infalammatory are the two major kinds of acne. Open comedos and closed comedos are the two major categories of non-inflammatory acne. A closed comedo is also known as a whitehead and appears on the skin surface as a tiny whitish or yellowish hump. An open comedo is otherwise called a blackhead. A build-up of dirt, contrary to popular belief, is not the cause of blackheads. It is actually a surplus of melanin, a chemical that makes up the pigment of the skin surface. Using a gently exfoliating cleanser with anti-inflammatory aspects like Proactiv or another moisturizing product that contains aloe vera can minimize blackheads and whiteheads.

Sores with a whitish or yellowish color are called pustules. Whiteheads and blackheads form from pustules. They are round sores that are inflamed because of agitated sebaceous glands. The human body has lots of sebaceous glands that produce an oil-like substance known as sebum. When the skin is exposed to an excess of sebum, the hair follicles and pores become aggravated and infected. Cysts are bigger pus filled sores that can be seen on the surface but are in reality embedded within the skin. Because of the size and depth of the inflammation, cysts are often very irritating and can be as big as an inch across the affected area. They form as a result of the contents of a comedo moving across the infected area and the bodies natural defense of producing pus to minimize these aspects. Cysts can leave deep and permanent blemishes. Blemishes that appear more obviously on the skin are known as inflammatory acne. Inflammatory acne can mostly be seen on the face, but can develop on a variety of other locations on the body like the legs, chest, upper arms, back, shoulders, neck, and scalp. The pimple is the most obvious form of acne observed. A pimple is when a pore or hair follicle becomes inflamed and develops tiny red sores on the skin surface. Before the sore is fully formed there are symptoms that can be seen. These signs include open comedos, closed comedos, cysts, and pustules. Open comedos are clogged pores that have a darker hue with an open end at the surface of the skin. The nose is the most common area that they are seen but they can be seen on the cheeks and forehead as well. Closed comedos are a little bit different in that they don't have an open ended pore. They are spots that appear to be bulging out from beneath the skin. They will often turn into pustules if not aggravated for a couple of days. If the pimples are forced open or popped, they will generally become more infected and could cause permanent scarring. So it is a good idea to leave the closed comedos alone. People with whiteheads should instead use a gently exfoliating cleanser, such as Proactive solution or Neutrogena.

Whatever kind of zits there is, there is an efficient treatment that is around and available.More knowledge of the various types of acne will give the consumer a better idea of what the most effective form of medication will be. Remember, an acne problemdoesn’t have to make you suffer all your life. With a little research and time anybody can find the treatment that is perfect for them.