Acne Information

The Hows and Whys of Acne


A few simple steps occur that cause skin blemishes. First, acne occurs when for some unknown reason or combination of reasons, hair follicles, also known as pores, become blocked.

Although the exact combination of reasons that pores become clogged may not be fully known, many contributing elements for teenagers and adults alike can include; genetics (whether or not there is a history of acne problems and if so, to what extent), hormones, dietary and vitamin make up (or lack of /deficiency) and stress related factors.

Other denominators could include factors like how your body normally rids itself of its dead skin cells and influences that may be working against this regularity (for example climate and other environmental forces or overall body health at the time) and your hormones and their effect on your own body's sebum production (especially for females).

Second, the normal dead skin cells that combine with your body's natural sebum oil as it drains through the skin's surface become clogged in these blocked pores. This substance becomes somewhat sticky, further clogging the passageway.

Third, bacteria begins to grow around these clogged areas. As a normal reaction your, your body's white blood cells attack the bacteria, fighting it and pushing it out of the body.

And forth, the resulting growths during this 14-day to 21-day battle are called microcomedones. Microcomedones turn into comedones, commonly referred to as blemishes, pimples or acne.

The four types of acne

Whiteheads, blackheads, pimples and nodules.

Whiteheads are when the sebum (oil) and resulting bacteria are trapped below the skin's surface and you can actually see a white head appear above (or near popping out of) the skin.

Blackheads are when the sebum and resulting bacteria are only partially trapped, slowly draining out the surface and turning black because of your skin's melanin or pigmentation.

In the absence of either white or blackhead are generally (but not always) smaller pimples.

And the often deeper, boil-like lesions are referred to as nodules.

All forms of acne can be mild, moderate or severe.

Typically, mild acne is visible in the form of whiteheads and blackheads, sometimes pimples.

With moderate acne, more pimples and pustules are present on the face, some may appear on the back or chest.

And with severe acne, many nodules develop, often large and sore, over parts of the face, back, chest and other body areas.

This type of acne can lead to scarring.

Actually, lesser cases of acne have been followed by scarring.

So for those with possible nodular acne, seeking advice from a healthcare provider as soon as possible is recommended.

A gender issue to note is that males more often have the severe form of acne rather than females, due to their hormones.

And the areas where they tend to break out most frequently are unfortunately more difficult to treat, the chest and back.

Discover more resources and answers to your questions at Acne-Care-and-Skin-Treatments.com


MORE RESOURCES:

More older women being afflicted with acne
TheNewsTribune.com
“I've got uneven skin that's also oily with constant blackheads and cystic acne bumps on my chin,” Wolter said. Her once-simple regimen now involves a complicated product list: face brush, acne cover-up, face mask, cortisone shots and prescription acne ...



Ask Dr. K: Identifying rosacea triggers helps lessen its impact
Greenville Daily Reflector
Dear Dr. K: I read your column on adult acne with great interest. For years, I thought I had adult acne, but when I finally saw a doctor, she diagnosed me with rosacea. I'd like to learn more about this condition. Dear Reader: Rosacea is a long-lasting ...
Ask ShahnazThe Hindu
Ask Dr. K: Knowing rosacea triggers lessens impactGoErie.com

all 4 news articles »


Seaweed-based face wash 'could banish bugs that trigger acne'
Newstrack India
Washington, May 20 (ANI): Seaweed-based face wash could be an effective cure for acne as researchers have claimed that that an active ingredient from brown seaweed can cut spots by nearly two thirds. A new clinical trial of treatments containing the ...



Zapping the zit myths
The Daily Post
Acne can make life pretty miserable, whether you're a teenager or in your 30s. But what causes it? After all, a fresh crop of pimples can be put down to chocolate, fast food, even flirting - right? Wrong. Here, we debunk some of the more common myths .

and more »


New York Times

When 'Younger' Skin Is Not a Blessing
New York Times
“I've got uneven skin that's also oily with constant blackheads and cystic acne bumps on my chin,” Ms. Wolter said. And her once-simple regimen now involves a complicated product list: face brush, acne cover-up, face mask, cortisone shots and ...

and more »


CoralActives Acne Products Now Available at Kinney Drugs
Albany Times Union
CoralActives is proud to announce distribution of its Complete Acne Therapy System which includes their patent pending Retinol Exfoliating Cleanser, their patent pending 6% Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Serum, their 10% Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Cleansing Bar and ...

and more »


Daily Mail

How almost HALF of US women suffer from adult acne (but the good news is that ...
Daily Mail
By Kristie Lau Almost half of US woman aged between 21 and 30 suffer from clinical acne, a new study has showed. Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital found that 45per cent of women in their 20s are seriously affected by pimples.

and more »


Technorati

Fight Acne with Blue Light Therapy
Technorati
Acne is a frustrating condition that can strike people of all ages, gender, and race causing undue stress, embarrassment, and even low self-esteem. It's a debilitating condition that goes way beyond the aesthetic appearance of the skin.



USA TODAY

Clemens trial: Cashman on stand as trainer testifies to acne
USA TODAY
Lintner testified that he treated Clemens for what appeared to be acne on his back in 2005. Although Lintner said acne could be a side effect of steroid use, he said he did not suspect it to be the cause of Clemens' acne at the time.
No Sign Clemens Used Steroids, Says Astros DoctorHartford Courant
Yankees GM: Roger Clemens pushed team to hire trainer Brian McNameeCBS News

all 205 news articles »


Glaxo's Acne Drug Gets US Nod
Zacks.com
Fabior Foam, 0.1% is approved as a topical treatment for acne vulgaris in patients 12 years and above. The approval was based on data from two pivotal phase III studies conducted with Fabior Foam. The 12-week, randomized and double-blind trials were ...
US FDA approves Stiefel's Fabior Foam, 0.1% to treat acnepharmabiz.com
FDA backs new acne application 'Fabior Foam'CosmeticsDesign.com USA
GSK gets approval for acne treatment in USAPharma Times
MENAFN.COM
all 13 news articles »

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