Acne Articles

Acne is a skin infection where the pores and hair follicles become agitated and inflamed, leading to facial spots that show on the skin. These blemishes can take many forms including zits, cysts, abscesses, black heads, and in worse cases even permanent scars. Acne most commonly happens in both men and women during the adolescent stage known as puberty. This is when the body begins to have obvious changes in hormone levels as a result of developing into a grown-up, adult body capable of sex. Acne most commonly afflicts male teenagers, but it is not limited to just them. Acne can affect both sexes of all ages; sometimes all the way through their complete lives. This is less common but certainly not irregular.

Pustules are red sores that are filled with pus and have a whitish or yellowish color. They can develop from whiteheads or blackheads. They are round sores that are inflamed because of agitated sebaceous glands. The body has lots of sebaceous glands that produce an oil-like chemical 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 embedded within the epidermis. Because of the size and depth of the inflammation, cysts are often very unpleasant and can be as large as an inch across the infected area. They form as a result of the contents of a comedo spreading across the affected area and the bodies natural defense of producing pus to minimize these aspects. Permanent scars can result from cysts. Inflammatory and Non-infalammatory are the two major kinds of acne. Open comedos and closed comedos are the two major kinds of non-inflammatory acne. A closed comedo is otherwise called a whitehead and develops on the skin as a small white or yellow hump. The open comedo is otherwise called a blackhead. A build-up of dirt, contrary to popular belief, is not the cause of blackheads. It is in reality a build-up of melanin, a chemical that encompasses the pigment of the skin surface. Using a gently exfoliating cleanser with anti-inflammatory aspects like Proactiv or another restorative product that contains aloe vera can minimize blackheads and whiteheads.

Inflammatory zits are the more apparent of the two kinds in regard to skin appearance. Inflammatory acne can most obviously be seen on the face, but can occur on a number of other locations on the body such as the legs, chest, upper arms, back, shoulders, neck, and scalp. The zit is the most obvious form of acne seen. A pimple is when a pore or hair follicle becomes irritated and develops tiny red sores on the skin surface. Before the sore is fully formed there are symptoms that can be observed. 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 skin. They are most often found on the nose, but can also be seen on the cheeks and forehead also. White heads are a little different in that they don't have an open ended pore. They are spots that seem to be bulged out from under the skin. If left alone for a few days whiteheads will develop into pustules. If the pimples are forced open or popped, they will often become more infected and could lead to permanent scarring. So it is a good idea to leave the whiteheads alone. Consumers with whiteheads should instead use a gently exfoliating cleanser, like Proactive solution or Noxema.

Whatever kind of pimples there is, there is an efficient treatment that is out there and available.A better knowledge of the various types of acne will give the patient a more in-depth idea of what the most effective form of medication will be. Remember, pimplesdoesn’t have to make you suffer all your life. With some research and time anyone can find the treatment that is right for them.