13/05/2020
Care Skin & Hair Clinic
All About Acne: Causes, Treatments, and Prevention
Overview
Nearly everyone suffers from the most common skin condition, called acne, at some
point in life. Acne is so common that it's considered absolutely normal during puberty. If you're a teenager, chances are high that you have some acne. Although acne is not a serious health threat, it can be painful when severe and can leave
permanent physical scars over time. If you have acne on your face, then facial scars can affect your self-esteem and can also lead to emotional distress.
So, what causes acne, and what can you do about it? Let’s explore.
What is Acne?
Acne, also known as Acne Vulgaris, is a common, chronic, and inflammatory skin
disease that involves the skin’s oil glands at the base of hair follicles. Acne lesions,
such as pimples and spots, are most common on the face and forehead, but they
can also appear on the neck, upper back, upper arms, shoulders, and chest.
How Does Acne Develop?
Acne occurs when your hair follicles get blocked with oil and dead skin cells. Pores
are connected to the oil glands under the skin by a canal called a follicle. The oil
glands secrete an oily material known as sebum. Sebum carries dead skin cells from
inside the follicles to the surface of the skin. A thin hair also grows through the follicle
and comes out to the skin. Sometimes, the hair, sebum, dirt, and dead cells collect
together to form a plug. The bacteria in the plug cause swelling. When the plug starts
to break down, it develops a pimple. When your skin gets affected by this condition
repeatedly, it leads to the development of acne.
Types of Acne:
Based on Appearance:
Based on the appearance on the skin, acne may be of the following types:
1. Whiteheads: Small, fleshly bumps
2. Blackheads: Small, black-coloured spots
3. Pimples/Zits: Red, swollen, and tender bumps/inflammations
4. Papules: Small, tender pink bumps
5. Pustules: Bumps that contain pus on top and are red at the bottom
6. Cysts: Deep, closed bumps filled with liquid, semisolid, or gaseous
substance, similar to a boil or a blister.
7. Nodules: Deep, painful lumps or firm swellings below the skin's surface that
become inflamed, tender, and sometimes infected in severe cases.
Continued....