The truth about acne

The truth about acne is simple: it is not a disease but a skin problem that affects people largely in the 12-24 age group. However, a few adults, both men and women, may suffer from acne especially if they were plagued by pimples during their teenage years.

It is important to understand how acne occurs. During puberty the secretion of sex hormones stimulates the activity of the sebaceous glands. Under normal circumstances the sebum passes thought a duct and is released through the pore on to the surface of the skin.

But because of excessive secretion of sebum the skin pore gets blocked. Retention keratosis or improper shedding of skin cells can also block the skin pore. If this closed skin pore gets infected by bacteria, it erupts in the form of acne. Acne can occur in the form of whiteheads, blackheads, papules or cysts.

A similar situation is noticed during pregnancy and menopause in women. Your lifestyle, health and genes contribute to acne problems as well. It has been shown that a person suffering from stress related problems is more vulnerable to acne than his counterparts. This is why you might suffer from recurring acne while your friend might suffer from mild acne problems.

There are different kinds of inflammation. Whiteheads or blackheads, also known as comedones, are smaller and take a longer time to heal. Pimples are pus filled papules which are commonly observed in the face. Mature pimples are painful and are larger in size when compared to comedones. Scarring is a possibility if the pimple is pinched out in an inappropriate manner. Acne cysts are usually deep seated in the skin and are very painful. They should be treated by a dermatologist.

Acne flare ups can occur in any part of the body but they are most commonly seen in the face since the facial skin is most sensitive. The other parts of the body where acne can occur are neck, chest and back.

You should avoid applying direct pressure on the pimple to reduce redness or swelling as this does more harm than good. About 40% of the eruptions are present on the surface of the skin. The remaining 60% are present beneath the surfaces of the skin. Hence it is likely that you might push the infection further downward. This worsens the conditions and can trigger fresh breakouts. You should also avoid touching pimples because bacteria present on your hands can re-infect the pimple.

A good way to avoid the outbreak of acne is to maintain a healthy diet that comprises of a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables and water. These flush out the toxins from the body and improve the tone and texture of your skin. You should also avoid using heavy make up because oil-based creams block skin pores.