What Is Acne?
Acne is a common skin
condition which most often appears during the teenage years.
With most teenagers living with its effects at one time or
another, effective acne treatments are a necessity. The acne
condition is commonly known as pimples. The acne usually
appears on the face, but can also happen on other parts of the
body such as the back, the shoulders, neck and chest. Even
though most teenagers experience acne at some point, it is a
condition which can also affect adults, called adult acne or
acne rosacea. Acne is universal -- it affects males and females
almost equally and occurs in every race. As a result, a variety
of acne treatments have been formulated for every form of acne
and every skin type.
The proper name for acne is
Acne Vulgaris. It is characterized by lesions which break out
on the skin. The lesions can be whiteheads, blackheads, or
cysts which form because of clogged pores. It is most commonly
seen during puberty because it is at this time that the body
produces an abundant supply of an oily substance called sebum.
Sebum is needed to keep the hair and a skin soft and
lubricated, but during puberty, the body produces more sebum
than is needed. The excess can clog pores and leave the skin
feeling oily.
Another change that occurs during puberty is the excess
production of follicle cells. The dying cells can quickly build
up and combine together with sebum to form whiteheads. This
mixture of oil and dead cells creates a breeding ground for
bacteria which results in redness and swelling in the afflicted
area that are known as pimples.
Acne is an extremely common
condition which affects about 85% of people between the ages of
12 and 24. One quarter of these people have acne on other parts
of the body besides the face -- most commonly the back and neck
areas. 40% of acne sufferers seek medical attention because of
the severity of their breakouts.
The most common area for
pimples to appear is the so-called 'T zone' of the face. This
includes the forehead, the nose, and the chin, although acne
may also appear on the cheeks and other parts of the face. The
second most common area for acne is the back, followed by the
neck, the chest, and the shoulders.
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Q&A: What kind of
acne do I have? Learn
more about the different
types
of acne here...
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By the time they are
in their 20s, most people's acne has cleared up. However, it
may still persist throughout the adult years in some people.
Some people even experience acne for the first time when they
are adults. Slightly more boys than girls suffer from the
condition.
Thankfully, there are many
modern acne treatments, both over-the-counter and prescribed
acne medications. More severe acne conditions can be treated by
a dermatologist. Acne treatments that doctors prescribe include
acne skin care ointments, which are used directly on the skin,
as well as, acne medicine, like antibiotics, which combat the
bacteria which causes pimples.
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