Definition of Acne

Acne is well-known and spread skin disorder caused by the overproduction of the oil in human skin. This oil is called sebum. Human skin has small holes (pores) inside that are connected to oil glands under the skin and they are connected to the pores via small canals, also called follicles. Sebum than carries dead skin cells through the follicles to the surface of the skin.

In normal conditions this oil moisturizes the skin. However, sometimes it gets trapped in blocked oil ducts and forms different signs of acne known as pimples, blackheads and whiteheads and this then appear on surface of the skin. Acne sometimes goes deeper into the skin and this lesions are called cysts.

Skin areas with the biggest portion of oil glands are the most susceptible to suffer from acne.

Areas with the highest density of the oil glands are:
  • the face
  • the chest
  • the back
This skin disorder is totally harmless, but can leave scars that are unsightly especially when they appear on the face. There are more types of acne beside the most wide-spread one that forms erupted and red colored pimples.
Other types of this disorder are:
  • Whiteheads
  • Blackheads
  • Papules
  • Pustules
  • Nobules
  • Cysts
Sometimes you can read about various causes of acne. You need to know, that was not discovered or proven what is the exact cause. Poor hygiene, harmful diet or an uncontrolled sex drive are often falsely considered as the causes. According to some researches heredity and hormones might be behind most forms of acne, however this was not proven or verified. Therefore having a shower 5 times a day or swearing off the chocolate won't change your predisposition to this embarrassing skin problem.

Acne is mostly connected with teenage years and it disappears when they grow up, however there is a special type called "adult acne" and this occurs in about of 20% of adults. It usually starts with puberty. People with dry skin mostly have less obvious symptoms and the one with oily skin.

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