Acne is the term that is used to define the variety of spots, pimples and blemishes that can occur on the face, chest, back and sometimes other parts of the body. It is something that usually happens to a person when they hit puberty and will normally last until they get into their twenties. However acne is not just the reserve of the young. Older people can also suffer from this particular ailment.
What Causes Acne
The reason that spots appear on the face is due to the over production of oil from the natural oil glands in the skin. This natural oil is used to keep the skin well lubricated and protected. If too much is produced, it gets trapped and the build up is what forms the raised bumps that appear on the face.
The typical types of pimples that people can suffer from include blackheads, whiteheads and cysts.
Blackheads and whiteheads are quite similar. The medical term for a blackhead is comedo and for a whitehead it is known as an open comedo. These types of pimples are caused by a blockage of bacteria, dead skin cells, keratin and sebum, which is the name of the natural oil that the skin produces. It is quite normal to find these sorts of spots erupting from clogged hair follicles.
What Is A Blackhead
A blackhead is the result of dead skin cells and the natural oil combined with oxygen in a blocked skin pore. It is the oxygen that provides the substance with its colour. This is able to occur because the pore has a tiny opening, allowing air to get in.
What Is A Whitehead
A whitehead is similar to a blackhead but there is no opening in the clogged pore. This means that air can not get in so the colour remains a milky white substance.
What Is A Cyst
A cyst is the term used to describe the sort of acne that happens deeper under the skin. It is a raised area or bump and will contain a collection of fluid or sometimes you will find a collection of pus. A cyst will also contain some air. Depending on the severity of the case, some people will have painful cysts, while others will not.
Acne is a condition that can have a profound effect on a sufferer. It can make a person feel insecure about their appearance and can be a trigger for unwanted attention. This is particularly the case for young adolescence at school.
The initial way to treat acne is to try the various over the counter remedies available from a local pharmacy. If the problem is more serious then it would be time to consult with a doctor to find out about alternative treatments.