Acne, medically known as Acne Vulgaris, is a skin disease that involves the oil glands at the base of hair follicles. It commonly occurs during puberty when the sebaceous (oil) glands come to life - the glands are stimulated by male hormones produced by the adrenal glands of both males and females.
Acne is not dangerous, but can leave skin scars. Human skin has pores (tiny holes) which connect to oil glands located under the skin. The glands are connected to the pores via follicles - small canals. These glands produce Sebum, an oily liquid. The sebum carries dead skin cells through the follicles to the surface of the skin. A small hair grows through the follicle out of the skin. Pimples grow when these follicles get blocked, resulting in an accumulation of oil under the skin.
Fast facts on acne
- Acne is a skin disease that involves the oil glands at the base of hair follicles.
- Acne commonly occurs during puberty.
- Acne is not dangerous, but can leave skin scars.
- Types of pimples include whiteheads, blackheads, papules, pustules, nobules, cysts.
- Approximately three-quarters of 11 to 30 year-olds will get acne at some time.
- Acne can affect people of all races and all ages.
- Experts believe the primary cause is a rise in androgen levels (hormone).
- A susceptibility to acne could also be genetic.
- Treatment for acne may depend on how severe and persistent it is.
- Acne can be affected by the menstrual cycle, anxiety and stress, hot and humid climates, oil based makeup, greasy hair and pimple squeezing.
Read the full article below for more detail and supporting information.
What is acne?
The word acne comes from the word acme meaning "the highest point," which comes from the Greek akme meaning "point" or "spot" - it was originally misspelt, with an 'n' rather than an 'm' in 1835.
In humans, pimples tend to appear on the face, back, chest, shoulders and neck.
Simply put - skin cells, sebum and hair can clump together into a plug, this plug gets infected with bacteria, resulting in a swelling. A pimple starts to develop when the plug begins to break down.
Scientists from the Washington University School of Medicine found that there are good and bad strains of bacteria that determine the severity and frequency of developing acne. They explained in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology (March 2013 issue) that not all acne bacteria trigger pimples - in fact, one strain they identified can help keep the skin pimple-free.
Causes of acne
Nobody is completely sure what causes acne. Experts believe the primary cause is a rise in androgen levels - androgen is a type of hormone. Androgen levels rise when a human becomes an adolescent. Rising androgen levels make the oil glands under your skin grow; the enlarged gland produces more oil. Excessive sebum can break down cellular walls in your pores, causing bacteria to grow.
Some studies indicate that a susceptibility to acne could also be genetic. Some medications that contain androgen and lithium may cause acne. Greasy cosmetics may cause acne in some susceptible people. Hormone changes during pregnancy may cause acne either to develop for the first time, or to recur.
Recent developments on acne causes from MNT news
Strain of acne-causing bacteria found to actually preserve skin
Everyone has acne-causing bacteria living on their skin, but researchers at the Washington University School of Medicine have identified that there are "good" and "bad" strains of the bacteria, which determine the frequency and severity of developing pimples.
High GI-diet and dairy intake linked to acne
A diet high in glycemic index foods and dairy products is now linked to acne, according to a new study published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
The types of acne pimples
- Whiteheads - remain under the skin and are very small
- Blackheads - clearly visible, they are black and appear on the surface of the skin. Remember that a blackhead is not caused by dirt. Scrubbing your face vigorously when you see blackheads will not help
- Papules - visible on the surface of the skin. They are small bumps, usually pink
- Pustules - clearly visible on the surface of the skin. They are red at their base and have pus at the top
- Nobules - clearly visible on the surface of the skin. They are large, solid pimples. They are painful and are embedded deep in the skin
- Cysts - clearly visible on the surface of the skin. They are painful, and are filled with pus. Cysts can easily cause scars.
How common is acne?
Dermatologists (skin specialists) say that approximately three-quarters of 11 to 30 year-olds will get acne at some time. Acne can affect people of all races and all ages. It most commonly affects adolescents and young adults, although there are people in their fifties who still get acne. According to Brown University, USA, approximately 17 million Americans are estimated to have acne at any one time.
Although acne affects both men and women, young men suffer from acne for longer - probably because testosterone, which is present in higher quantities in young men, can make acne worse.
How to get rid of acne
How your acne is treated may depend on how severe and persistent it is.
On the next page we take a look at some of the available treatments for mild and severe acne.
Fast facts on acne. Acne is a skin disease that involves the oil glands at the base of hair follicles. Acne commonly occurs during puberty. Acne is not dangerous, but
Acne: Diagnosis, treatment, and outcome
How do dermatologists diagnose acne? To diagnose acne, a dermatologist will first examine your skin to make sure you have acne. Other skin conditions can look like acne.
3 Ways to Get Rid of Acne wikiHow
Exfoliate your face. Exfoliates are mild scrubbing products that work to slough (to get rid of) off dead skin cells that build up and cause acne.
10 Simple And Natural Ways To Get Rid Of Acne Fast
Try some of these simple and natural ways to get rid of acne.
Acne - Causes - NHS Choices
Causes of acne . Acne is caused when tiny holes in the skin, known as hair follicles, become blocked. Sebaceous glands are tiny glands found near the surface of your
Acne - National Library of Medicine - PubMed Health
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