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.

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.