What Is Acne?

Very simply, acne, or as it is often misspelled acnee, is caused when a follicle in your skin, also called a pore, becomes blocked. At the base of each follicle are Sebaceous Glands, which produce Sebum, a natural oil. This oil, or Sebum can no longer be excreted through the pore, and bacteria starts to grow.

An increase in hormones often results in an increase in Sebum production; it is for this reason that pimples are common in teenagers. (Seventy five percent of teenagers suffer from acne).

Acne comes in two main forms, Inflammatory and Non-inflammatory.

Non-Inflammatory acne presents itself as blackheads or whiteheads.

1) Whiteheads

When the bacteria that have grown in the pore and the Sebum (oil) stay below the surface of the skin, you can usually see a small white spot, or Whitehead. These are often so small as to be indiscernible.

2) Blackheads

Sometimes, the bacteria and Sebum can push though the surface of the skin. This exposes them to the air and they oxidise. This is what gives them their black colour, hence Blackheads. This black spot cannot be wiped away and is not dirt. It can take a long time for the blackhead to go away naturally.

Left untreated, non-inflamed acne can progress to inflamed acne.

Inflammatory acne presents as pimples or cysts

1) Pimples

Pimples begin as Papules. A papule occurs when the wall of the follicle breaks, and white blood cells hurry to the break, inadvertently blocking the pore.

A number of days later this forms a Pustule. This occurs when the white blood cells rise to the surface and become visible as a white bump.

2) Cysts

Sometime an inflamed lesion can rupture, causing inflammation of the surrounding skin and even nearby follicles. These lesions are called cysts.

Areas of the body where acne most commonly occurs

Acne typically occurs in areas of the body that are more ‘oily’, such as:

Face acne
Back acne
Shoulder acne
Neck
Chest pimples
Upper arms

Why does Acne Occur

There appears to be no singular cause for acne, it is a conglomeration of a number of influences.

It is widely accepted by dermatologists that the development of acne is associated with androgen hormones. These hormones are produced in greater numbers during puberty, as well as in women during menstruation and pregnancy.

Acne can also be brought on by the use of certain cosmetics, hair and skin care products and even certain steroidal and hormonal medications.

There is also some evidence to suggest that acne may be genetic. It is common to find that children of parents, who suffered from acne, will also become acne sufferers.

Acne is not caused by bad hygiene. In fact it is likely that over scrubbing the face, can make it worse.

Acne is also not a condition limited to teenagers. It is, in fact, the most common skin ailment in the United States. It has been reported that eighty percent of people between the ages of twenty and thirty have mild to moderate acne. Twenty five percent of adult men and fifty percent of adult women suffer from acne. It is even possible for it to occur in babies and young children.

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