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What is Acne? |
by:
Lana Hampton |
What is acne? Acne is a term
attributed to plugged pores, commonly known as blackheads and
whiteheads, pimples, and even cysts or nodules, occur on the face,
neck, chest, back, shoulders and upper arms. Follicles, often
called pores, often get blocked with sebum (oil), which normally
drains to the surface, and a bacteria propionibacterium acnes,
begins to grow. Both whiteheads and blackheads start out as a
"microcomedone" which then become skin blemishes called comedones.
Acne can be upsetting, disfiguring, sometimes leading to permanent
scarring.
There are different types of acne. A white head is a lesion where
trapped sebum and bacteria stay below the skin surface. A blackhead,
on the other hand, is a lesion where trapped sebum and bacteria
partially open to the surface and turn black due to the skin pigment
melanin.
A papule is a small solid lesion slightly elevated above the surface
of the skin. A pustule, again, is a dome-shaped skin elevation
containing pus: a mixture of white blood cells, dead skin cells,
and bacteria. It often has a hair in the center. A macule is a
temporary red spot left by a healed acne lesion. It is flat and
pinkish, with well-defined borders that can persist for days to
weeks. A number of macules can contribute to the "inflamed face"
appearance of acne. A nodule is a solid dome-shaped or irregularly
shaped lesion, characterized by pain, inflammation and extending
into deeper layers of the skin. It may cause tissue destruction
resulting in scarring.
A cyst is a sac-like lesion containing white blood cells, dead
cells, and bacteria. It may be severely inflamed and painful,
extending into deeper layers of the skin and can result in scarring.
Who gets acne? Acne affects teenagers mostly; however it can occur
in adults of all age groups also. Acne starts between the ages
of ten and thirteen and usually lasts for five to ten years. It
normally goes away on its own in the early twenties but can stretch
into the late twenties or thirties or even beyond. Some people
get acne for the first time as adults.
The treatment of acne is not difficult at all. Following a clear
regimen helps considerably. Gentle cleansing plus plenty of 2.5%
Benzoyl Peroxide gives a clear skin as Benzoyl peroxide kills
the acne bacteria well. A little itchiness after an application
is quite normal, and some people also experience redness of the
skin for the initial couple of weeks. However, this will definitely
get better because it will cure the acne and prevent any new outbreaks.
About the Author
Lana Hampton is the webmaster of www.theacnecenter.com. Visit
her site today for the latest acne information, treatments and
product reviews.
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