Acne is commonly known as pimples, it is a skin condition
that commonly afflicts people during their teenage years. Acne pre-dominantly
affects the face but can also show up on the back, neck, shoulders and chest.
While most common in teenagers it can appear on adults as well. Neither race nor
gender is an indicator of acne as it affects male and female and all races
equally.
The medical term for it is Acne Vulgaris. It can be
diagnosed by the lesions that form on the skin. These lesions can take several
different forms: blackheads, whiteheads and cysts. Cysts are formed when the
pore becomes completely blocked. Acne is most common during puberty because at
this time your body is creating an excess of sebum. Sebum is an oily substance
designed to keep the hair and skin soft and lubricated. During puberty the
production of sebum is greatly increased which can cause the skin to feel oily
and clog pores.
During puberty there is also an increase in the production
of follicle cells. Dead follicle cells mixed with sebum can build up and cause
white heads. This mix of oil and dead cells is a perfect breeding ground for
bacterial which will cause the swelling and redness associated with pimples.
Acne affects about 85% of all people sometime from the age
of 12-24. Around 25% of these people will have acne on their back and/or neck
as well as the face. The acne will be severe enough to cause about 40% of these
people to seek medical treatment.
Acne is most common on the face, especially on the forehead,
nose and chin. The back is the next most common area of affliction followed by
the neck, chest and shoulders.
Most people will have outgrown their acne problems by the
time they reach their twenty's, but some people will continue to suffer from
acne even as adults. In some cases people will not have any acne issues until
they are adults, this happens more frequently in men than women.
Acne can have severe emotional and psychological
repercussions. Since it affects their appearance it also affects their self-image
and self-esteem. Teenagers are especially vulnerable to this attack on their
self-confidence and can even trigger withdraw and depression, as well as
feelings of anger and frustration.
Fortunately in this day and age there are many treatments
that can help with acne. The foremost thing that can be done to help avoid or
alleviate acne is to keep the skin as clean and oil free as possible. Washing
the most common problem areas several times a day with soap and water,
especially after any activity that triggers perspiration, is usually adequate.
There are also many medications available by prescription and over the counter
to help with acne control.
If the acne is severe enough you can consult a
dermatologist, they can prescribe medications for the skin as well as
antibiotics to help fight the bacteria. They can also offer advice on life
style and diet changes that might help with the condition.
