What Is Acne?
Acne is an annoying skin condition that affects people of every age, gender, and race—few skin conditions are as bothersome and disturbing. The scientific name for the condition is acne vulgaris, because acne usually strikes in plainly visible locations such as the face, neck, chest and back. Acne is an age-old problem that has plagued people for centuries. But there are numerous treatment methods available for this bothersome condition.
Acne is a disorder resulting from the action of hormones on the skin’s oil glands (sebaceous glands), which leads to plugged pores and outbreaks of lesions commonly called pimples or zits. Acne lesions usually occur on the face, neck, back, chest, and shoulders. Nearly 17 million people in the United States have acne, making it the most common skin disease. Although acne is not a serious health threat, severe acne can lead to disfiguring, permanent scarring, which can be upsetting to people who are affected by the disorder.
Acne is a disorder that causes outbreaks of skin lesions commonly called pimples. It is caused by the skin’s oil glands making too much sebum, an oily substance, which leads to plugged pores. It also can be caused by the rapid production of a bacteria P. acnes. Acne lesions occur mostly on the face, neck, back, chest, and shoulders. It is the most common skin disease. Although acne is not a serious health threat, severe acne can lead to disfiguring and permanent scarring.
Acne is a genetically-inherited disease, which is the result of several factors occurring in the skin. Aside from excess oil secreted by the sebaceous glands, there is a proliferation of cells that clog the pores, trapping oil in the follicle. Bacteria inhabit the follicle and digest the oils, generating waste products which then cause the irritation to the skin. Oilier skin conditions tend to experience more acne breakouts because they provide more food for the bacteria. Teenagers hormonal changes increase oil production, in turn increasing acne breakouts. A quick Face Mapping by your skin care therapist will identify your acne-prone areas.
Simply, acne is when pores are plugged caused by overactive oil glands. Acne is a disease which affects the tiny pores that cover the face, arms, back and chest and the oil glands attached to them. Acne is caused when dried sebum, flaked skin and bacteria collect in the skins pores blocking the natural oils. A partial blockage causes a restriction in the flow of oil onto the skins surface. This causes the oil filling the hair channel to solidify forming a blackhead. If the partial blockage becomes complete the oil builds up around the hair and becomes infected with bacteria normally present on the skin. If the inflammation is deep and severe, or if the spot is manipulated or squeezed, the pus can burst deep into the skin rather than onto the surface. This deep-rooted inflammation and infection results in scarring and cyst formation.
