Acne Articles

Acne is a skin disorder where the hair follicles and pores become irritated and inflamed, leading to facial blemishes that appear on the skin. These imperfections can take many forms including pimples, cysts, abscesses, open comedos, and in more severe cases even permanent scarring. Acne most often happens in both women and men during the teenage period known as puberty. This is when the human body begins to have obvious changes in hormone levels as a result of developing into a mature, adult body that is capable of sex. Acne most commonly affects teenage boys, but it is not limited to just this group. Acne can affect both sexes of all ages; sometimes all the way through their entire adult lives. This is more rare but without a doubt not uncommon.

Sores with a whitish or yellowish color are known as pustules. Whiteheads and blackheads develop from pustules. They are round sores that have become inflamed because of itirritated sebaceous glands. The body has thousands of sebaceous glands that produce an oil-like substance known as sebum. Infection and irritation can start when the body produces too much sebum. Cysts are bigger pus filled sores that can be seen on the surface but are actually deep within the epidermis. 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 appear as a result of the contents of a comedo moving across the infected area and the bodies defense mechanism of producing pus to minimize these aspects. Permanent scarring can result from cysts. Blemishes that seem more obvious on the skin are known as inflammatory acne. Inflammatory acne can most obviously be seen on the face, but can occur on a number of other places on the body such as 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 seen. These signs include blackheads, whiteheads, cysts, and pustules. Open comedos are clogged pores that have a darker appearance 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 slightly different in that they don't have an open ended pore. They are splotches that seem to be bulging out from under the skin. If not agitated for a few days whiteheads will form into pustules. If the zits are squeezed or popped, they will generally become more infected and could become permanently scarred. So it is a good idea to leave the whiteheads alone. Acne sufferers with whiteheads should instead use a gently exfoliating cleanser, such as Proactiv solution or Neutrogena.

Inflammatory and Non-infalammatory are the two major types of acne. Open comedos and closed comedos are the two major types of non-inflammatory acne. A closed comedo is also known as a whitehead and develops on the skin as a tiny white or yellow bump. An open comedo is also called a blackhead. It can be dark in appearance but, contrary to popular belief, is not a build-up of oil and grime. It is in reality an excess of melanin, a chemical that encompasses the pigment of the skin surface. Blackheads and open comedos can be prevented and controlled by using anti-inflammatory cleaners like Proactive or others that contain aloe vera.

Whatever kind of pimples there is, there is a good treatment that is around and available.Greater knowledge of the different types of acne will give the acne sufferer a better idea of what the most effective form of medication will be. Remember, zitsdoesn’t have to make you suffer all your life. With a bit of research and time everyone can find the treatment that is right for them.