Acne Overview
Acne is commonly known as pimples, it is a skin condition that usually strikes people during their adolescent years. Pre-dominant Acne affects the face, but can also be seen on the back, neck, shoulders and chest. While most common in adolescents may appear on the adults too. Neither race or sex is an indicator of acne as it affects men and women and also all races.
The medical term is acne vulgaris. It can be diagnosed by the lesions that form on the skin. These lesions can take many forms: blackheads, whiteheads and cysts. Cysts form when the pore becomes completely blocked. Acne is most common during puberty because at this moment your body is the creation of excess sebum. Sebum is an oily substance designed to keep hair and skin soft and lubricated. During puberty, sebum production is greatly increased, which can cause the skin to feel oily and clog pores.
During puberty, there is also an increased production of follicle cells. Dead follicular cells mixed with sebum can build up and cause white heads. This mixture of sebum and dead cells is a breeding ground for bacteria which causes swelling and redness associated with pimples.
Acne affects about 85% of all people sometimes as young as 12-24. Approximately 25% of these people have acne on the back and / or neck and face. The acne is severe enough to cause about 40% of these people to seek medical Treatment.
Acne is most common on the face, especially on the forehead, nose and chin. The back is the region most common affliction followed by the neck, chest and shoulders.
Most people will have outgrown their Acne Problems by the time they reach their twenties, but some people continue to suffer from acne as adults. In some cases, people will not have any problems with acne until they are adults, it occurs more frequently in men than women.
Acne can have severe emotional and psychological repercussions. Because it affects their appearance, it also affects their self-image and self esteem. Adolescents are particularly vulnerable to this attack against their self-confidence and can even cause withdrawal and depression, and feelings of anger and frustration.
Fortunately, in this day and age, there are many treatments that can Help With Acne. Before all that the thing can be done to help prevent or reduce acne is to keep the skin clean and oil free as possible. Wash the areas most common problem several times a day with soap and water, especially after any activity that triggers perspiration is usually sufficient. There are also many drugs available on prescription and OTC to help control acne.
If the acne is severe enough, you can consult a dermatologist they can prescribe drugs for skin and antibiotics to help fight against bacteria. They can also offer advice on lifestyle and diet changes that could contribute to this condition.
