Acne Articles

Acne is a common disorder where the hair follicles and pores become irritated and inflamed, leading to cosmetic marks that appear on the skin. These blemishes can take many forms including pimples, cysts, abscesses, black heads, and in more severe cases even permanent scars. Acne most commonly happens in both men and women during the teenage period known as puberty. This is when the human body begins to undergo big hormonal changes as a result of developing into a mature, adult body that is capable of sexual reproduction. Acne most commonly afflicts young teenagers, but it is not limited to just this group. Acne can affect both men and women of all ages; sometimes all the way through their complete lives. This is more rare but definitely not abnormal.

There are two major types of acne blemishes; non-inflammatory acne and inflammatory acne. Open comedos and closed comedos are the two major kinds of non-inflammatory acne. A closed comedo is also known as a whitehead and develops on the skin surface as a small whitish or yellow hump. The open comedo is otherwise called a blackhead. It can be dark when seen but, despite popular belief, is not a surplus of oil and grime. It is actually a build-up of melanin, a chemical that makes up the hue of the skin. Blackheads and open comedos can be prevented and maintained by using anti-inflammatory cleaners such as Proactive or products that have aloe vera.

Blemishes that appear more obviously on the skin are called inflammatory acne. Inflammatory acne can most obviously be seen on the face, but can appear on a number of other locations on the body like the legs, chest, upper arms, back, shoulders, neck, and scalp. The zit is the most obvious form of acne observed. A pimple is when a pore or hair follicle becomes agitated and forms tiny red sores on the skin surface. This is usually the end result of a number of symptoms that are observed 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 an open end at the top of the skin. They are more often than not found on the nose, but can also be seen on the cheeks and forehead as well. White heads are a little different in that they don't have an open ended pore. They are splotches that seem to be bulging out from beneath the skin. If not agitated 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 become permanently scarred. So it is a good idea to leave the closed comedos alone. Consumers with whiteheads would be better off using a gently exfoliating cleanser, such as Proactiv solution or Noxema.

Pustules are dark sores that are filled with pus and have a whitish or yellowish color. Whiteheads and blackheads develop from pustules. They are round sores that are inflamed because of aggravated sebaceous glands. The human body has thousands 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 irritated and infected. Cysts are larger pus filled sores that develop on the top but are in reality embedded within the epidermis. 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 develop as a result of the contents of a comedo spreading across the affected area and the bodies defense mechanism of developing pus to minimize these aspects. Cysts can leave deep and permanent scars.

Whatever kind of pimples there is, there is a good treatment that is around and available.More knowledge of the different types of acne will give the consumer a more complete idea of what the best 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 correct for them.