What is Acne?

Every day literally thousands of people are all pondering the same problem – how to get rid of acne.

So let’s start right at the beginning and ask….what is acne?

Well actually its proper name is Acne Vulgaris – nasty name eh?

Acne is an infection or common skin condition which generally appears around puberty in both boys and girls. Many teenagers also call them pimples or zits.

Facial acne is the most common but it can also affect other parts of the body including the back, shoulders, neck and chest.

Even though most teenagers are going to experience the problem of acne at some time, adult acne is a lot more common than many people realize. Acne is a universal condition and affects males and females almost equally regardless of race or skin color.

Acne is characterized by lesions which break out on the skin. These can be in the form of whiteheads, blackheads, or cysts which form because of bacteria getting into the pores – such a great breeding place for these little nasties.

These outbreaks are common during puberty because it is at this time that the body produces an abundant supply of an oily substance called sebum.

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Sebum is needed to keep the hair and a skin soft and lubricated, but during puberty, the body produces more sebum than is needed. This excess can clog the pores and leave the skin feeling oily.

Something else going on in your body around 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 irritates the skin and results in redness and swelling in the afflicted area - commonly known as pimples.

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Whatever you do don’t feel too down hearted if you find Acne starting to appear on your face. It is an extremely common condition which affects about 85% of people between the ages of 12 and 24.

At least a quarter of these people have acne on other parts of the body besides the face…..the most common areas being the back and neck. It is believed around forty percent of acne sufferers seek medical attention because of the severity of their condition.

The most common area for pimples to appear is what’s referred to as the 'T zone' of your face. This area includes the forehead, nose and the chin, although spots may also appear on the cheeks as well.

The second most common area for acne is the back, followed by the neck then the chest and the shoulders.

By the time most people are in their 20s their acne has cleared up.

But unfortunately for some it may still persist well into their adult life. Amazingly some people escape the teen years and experience acne for the first time when they are adults. It is generally known that more boys than girls suffer from the adult acne condition.

Regrettably acne comes at a time in our young lives when we are at our most vulnerable as it affects our appearance and self image.

Acne can cause teenagers to have feelings of depression and reduced self-confidence and also causes some teens to withdraw completely from all social interaction creating feelings of anger and frustration.

Fortunately you don’t have to feel like that as these days there are many good treatments for acne so understanding what is causing your acne problems is a great place to start.

Number one in the first line of acne prevention is keeping the skin clean and oil free. This is something you must do religiously and is pretty easy to handle - gentle face and neck washing with medicated soap and water twice a day…..particularly after activities which cause excessive sweating and perspiration.

There is a wide variety of acne treatments available both prescribed and over-the-counter so make sure you check all your options.

Severe acne conditions can be treated by a dermatologist. The doctor can prescribe ointments which are used directly on the skin as well as drugs like antibiotics which combat the bacteria which causes pimples.

A dermatologist can also help dispel the myths about acne and give valuable advice about diet and lifestyle changes which will help in combating your acne.

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