Acne is not just a problem for teenagers, it can affect people from ages 10 through 40. It is not unusual for women, in particular, to develop acne in their mid-to-late 20's, even if they have not had breakouts in years (or ever). Acne can appear as any of the following:
• congested pores,
• whiteheads,
• blackheads,
• pimples,
• pustules, or
• cysts (deep pimples).
These blemishes occur wherever there are many oil (sebaceous) glands, mainly on the face, chest, and back.
• congested pores,
• whiteheads,
• blackheads,
• pimples,
• pustules, or
• cysts (deep pimples).
These blemishes occur wherever there are many oil (sebaceous) glands, mainly on the face, chest, and back.
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Last Updated: Sep 2009
Last Updated: Sep 2009
What is Acne?
You can do a lot to treat your acne using products available at a drugstore or cosmetic counter, that do not require a prescription. However, for tougher cases of acne, you should consult a physician.
No one factor causes acne. Acne happens when oil (sebaceous) glands come to life around puberty stimulated by male hormones from the adrenal glands of both boys and girls. Oil is a natural substance which lubricates and protects the skin, and under certain circumstances, cells that are close to the surface block the openings of sebaceous glands and cause a buildup of oil underneath. This oil stimulates bacteria, (which live in everyone's skin and generally cause no problems), to multiply and cause surrounding tissues to become inflamed.
If the inflammation is right near the surface, you get a pustule; if it's deeper, a papule (pimple); deeper still and it's a cyst. If the oil breaks though to the surface, the result is a "whitehead." If the oil becomes oxidized (that is, acted on by oxygen in the air), the oil changes from white to black, and the result is a "blackhead."
No one factor causes acne. Acne happens when oil (sebaceous) glands come to life around puberty stimulated by male hormones from the adrenal glands of both boys and girls. Oil is a natural substance which lubricates and protects the skin, and under certain circumstances, cells that are close to the surface block the openings of sebaceous glands and cause a buildup of oil underneath. This oil stimulates bacteria, (which live in everyone's skin and generally cause no problems), to multiply and cause surrounding tissues to become inflamed.
If the inflammation is right near the surface, you get a pustule; if it's deeper, a papule (pimple); deeper still and it's a cyst. If the oil breaks though to the surface, the result is a "whitehead." If the oil becomes oxidized (that is, acted on by oxygen in the air), the oil changes from white to black, and the result is a "blackhead."
