What Is Acne?
April 11, 2010 by Shawn Everette
Filed under Skin Care
Acne is the most common skin disease and nearly 17 million individuals in the United States have it. Cystic acne can cause scars in some people. You can reduce scars by not squeezing or picking at pimples. Acne develops when small holes on the surface of the skin, called pores, become clogged. Each pore is an opening to a canal called a follicle. It contains a hair and an oil gland.
It is characterized by pimples, cysts and abscesses. It occurs when the pores in the skin are blocked, trapping oil, dead skin and bacteria in the hair follicles. Acne can often disappear only to leave a discoloured or raised mark where it once was, or even small craters in severe cases. Redness often fades in a matter of months or in a year; but, in some cases, these acne scars can be permanent.
Acne, especially cystic acne, can cause scars in some people. You can help reduce scarring by not squeezing or picking at blemishes.
Acne in young women tends to be more random and linked to hormone changes, such as the menstrual cycle. It shows up on the face, neck, and back as different types of bumps. They include whiteheads, blackheads, red bumps (pimples), and bumps that are filled with pus (pustules).
It can often disappear only to leave a discoloured or raised mark where it once was. Even small craters in severe cases can form. Redness often fades in a matter of months or in a year but in some cases these acne scars can be permanent.
Lesions ordinarily occur on the face, neck, back, chest, and shoulders. Although acne is usually not a serious health threat, it can be a source of great emotional depression. It is NOT caused by dirty pores but most likely by over active oil glands. The excess oil makes the pores sticky allowing bacteria to become trapped inside.
Want to find out more about how to properly treat and cure your acne, then visit Shawn Everette’s website, MyAcneCure.net, which is Your Complete Online Acne Source.