Acne Articles

Acne is a disorder of the skin where the pores and hair follicles become irritated and inflamed, leading to facial imperfections that appear on the skin surface. These blemishes can take many forms including zits, cysts, abscesses, black heads, and in more severe cases even permanent scarring. Acne most often occurs in both women and men during the adolescent period that is known as puberty. This is when the human body begins to develop obvious changes in hormone levels as a result of building a mature, 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 sexes of all ages; sometimes throughout their entire lives. This is less common but definitely not uncommon.

Pustules are red sores that are filled with pus and have a whitish or yellowish hue. They can form from whiteheads or blackheads. They are round sores that are inflamed because of aggravated sebaceous glands. The human body has lots of sebaceous glands that produce an oil-like chemical known as sebum. Infection and irritation can start when the body manufactures too much sebum. Cysts are larger pus filled sores that develop on the top but are actually deep 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 effects. Permanent scars can result from cysts. Blemishes that seem more obvious 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 places 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 the pore or hair follicle becomes irritated and forms small red spots on the skin surface. This is usually the end result of a variety of signs that are seen before the actual sore is fully developed. These symptoms include blackheads, closed comedos, cysts, and pustules. Open comedos are clogged pores that have a darker color with a hole at the surface of the skin. The nose is the most common area that they are seen but they can be observed on the cheeks and forehead as well. White heads are a little different in that they don't have a pore opening. They are spots that appear to be bulging out from under the skin. If not irritated for a few days whiteheads will turn into pustules. If the pimples are forced open or popped, they will often become more infected and could become scarred. So it is a good idea to leave the whiteheads alone. Consumers with whiteheads should instead use a gently exfoliating cleanser, such as Proactiv solution or Noxema.

There are two major types of acne blemishes; non-inflammatory and inflammatory. Open comedos and closed comedos are the two major kinds of non-inflammatory acne. A closed comedo is otherwise called a whitehead and appears on the skin surface as a tiny white or yellowish hump. The open comedo is otherwise known as a blackhead. It can be dark in appearance but, contrary to popular belief, is not a surplus of oil and grime. It is actually a build-up of melanin, a substance that encompasses the hue of the skin surface. Blackheads and open comedos can be prevented and controlled by using anti-inflammatory cleansers like Proactiv or products that contain aloe vera.

Whatever kind of zits there is, there is an effective treatment that is around and available.A better knowledge of the different types of acne will give the acne sufferer a more complete idea of what the best form of medication will be. Remember, an acne problemdoesn’t have to make you suffer all your life. With some research and time everyone can find the treatment that is perfect for them.