What Is Acne And Who Gets Acne?
Posted by Kayla Phillips on
Acne primarily occurs when the pores of our face get clogged with whiteheads, blackheads or lumps like cysts or nodules. Acne appears on the face, neck, chest, shoulders, back and the upper arms. It is quite common with teenagers but adults till the age of forty can be affected by acne. It is not at all hazardous to health, but it creates blemishes on the body, which in turn is very irritating. Acne causes scarring which is often permanent.
Acne is not dependent upon race, ethnicity, color, or sex. 100% of people belonging to the age group of twelve to seventeen suffer from the occasional blackhead, whitehead, or pimple. Most of these young people can take care of this problem with some medications that can be had over the counter.
For some the problem is serious and needs professional care. About 40% of adolescents and teenagers suffer from severe problems that require the assistance of a physician to be cured.
When does it start?
Acne hits between the ages of ten and thirteen. The condition persists for the next five to ten years. It normally disappears in the early twenties though it can stay till one is in their late twenties, thirties or even later than that. There have been cases when people start getting acne when they are well into adulthood.
Men or women?
There has been no concrete evidence to show whether men or women suffer more from acne. But young men are more prone to the different forms of acne than women. For men acne is far more severe and lasts longer than women. This may be because men do not visit the dermatologist as often as they should.
Young women usually have acne that occurs intermittently. This is caused by hormonal changes that are associated with the menstrual cycle. Acne can also be caused by using cosmetics without understanding whether they are suitable to the skin type or not. These kinds of acne can happen to women who are well into their adulthood.
Where do they occur?
Acne can occur most commonly on the face, but it also occurs on the chest, back, shoulders, scalp, neck, upper arms, and legs.
While acne may seem trivial, you will be surprised to learn that it has an economic impact as well. Most teenagers buy non-prescription acne medicines to get rid of acne for about $100 million a year. The amount does not include money spent on the cleansers and soaps that are designed to control acne. Furthermore, one needs to see a dermatologist and buy the medicines that he prescribes. It also requires money.
You have discovered that you are not alone in experiencing this problem. To maintain healthy skin, a careful skin-cleansing regimen must be followed.
How does acne affect the skin? Causes and symptoms
Acne vulgaris is an inflammatory skin disease caused by changes to the pilosebaceous units (hair follicles and their associated sebaceous glands). It is common to refer to acne lesions as pimples, spots, or zits.
Due to a higher genetic predisposition, the condition is common in puberty, especially in Western societies. A normal level of testosterone produces an abnormal response. Once one reaches their early twenties, acne tends to disappear, or at least decrease, due to the diminishing response over time. The length of time it will take for acne to disappear entirely is impossible to predict, and some people will continue to suffer from acne decades later, well into their 30s and 40s. A significant percentage of humans experience acne at some point in their lives.
The symptoms
There are several types of acne, but the most common one is acne vulgaris, meaning "common acne."
A combination of excessive sebaceous gland secretion and dead skin cells blocks the hair follicles. Some instances of abnormal shedding of skin lining the pores can also be attributed to a faulty keratinization process. Propionibacterium acnes multiplies uncontrollably under the blocked pores due to oil secretions. A visible lesion results from inflammation of the skin. Particularly affected areas include the face, chest, back, shoulders, and upper arms.
Inflammatory cysts, comedones, papules, pustules, and nodules are typical acne lesions. A pus-filled or reddish bump, or even a boil-like tender swelling, is more inflamed. Non-inflamed ‘sebaceous cysts’, more properly called epidermoid cysts, occur either in association with acne or alone but are not a constant feature. After resolution of acne lesions, prominent unsightly scars may remain.
Aside from scarring, its main effects are psychological, such as reduced self-esteem and depression. Acne usually appears during adolescence when people already tend to be most socially insecure.
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