Acne Articles

When pores and hair follicles become clogged and form sores on the top of the skin it is known as acne. These marks can take many forms including pimples, cysts, abscesses, open comedos, and in worse cases even scarring. Acne most commonly occurs in both women and men during the adolescent period 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 often has an effect on male teenagers, but it is not limited to just them. Acne can affect both men and women of all ages; sometimes throughout their entire lives. This is more rare but definitely not abnormal.

There are two major types of zits; non-inflammatory and inflammatory. 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 as a tiny white or yellow hump. The open comedo is otherwise known as a blackhead. It is dark when seen but, contrary to common belief, is not an excess of dirt. It is actually an excess of melanin, a chemical that encompasses the color of the skin. Closed comedos and whiteheads can be prevented and controlled by using anti-inflammatory cleaners such as Proactive or others that contain aloe vera.

Pustules are red sores that are filled with pus and have a whitish or yellowish color. Whiteheads and blackheads develop from pustules. They are round sores that have become inflamed because of itirritated sebaceous glands. The human body has thousands of sebaceous glands that produce an oil-like chemical 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 top 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 large as an inch across the infected area. They appear as a result of the contents of a comedo moving across the affected area and the bodies defense mechanism 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 most obviously be seen on the face, but can appear on a variety 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. A pimple is when a pore or hair follicle becomes irritated and forms tiny red spots 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. Blackheads are clogged pores that have a darker color with a hole at the surface of the skin. They are more often than not found on the nose, but can also be seen on the cheeks and forehead also. Closed comedos are a little bit different in that they don't have an open ended pore. They are splotches that appear to be bulging out from under the skin. If not agitated for a few days whiteheads will turn into pustules. If the pimples are squeezed or popped, they will often become more infected and could become scarred. So it is an excellent idea to leave the closed comedos alone. Consumers with whiteheads should instead use a gently exfoliating cleanser, such as Proactive solution or Neutrogena.

Whatever kind of skin problem there is, there is an effective treatment that is around and available.A better knowledge of the different kinds of acne will give the patient a better idea of what the best form of treatment will be. Remember, an acne problemdoesn’t have to affect you all your life. With a little research and time anybody can find the treatment that is proper for them.