The Hows and Whys of Acne

A few simple steps occur that cause skin blemishes. First, acne occurs when for some unknown reason or combination of reasons, hair follicles, also known as pores, become blocked.

Although the exact combination of reasons that pores become clogged may not be fully known, many contributing elements for teenagers and adults alike can include; genetics (whether or not there is a history of acne problems and if so, to what extent), hormones, dietary and vitamin make up (or lack of /deficiency) and stress related factors.

Other denominators could include factors like how your body normally rids itself of its dead skin cells and influences that may be working against this regularity (for example climate and other environmental forces or overall body health at the time) and your hormones and their effect on your own body's sebum production (especially for females).

Second, the normal dead skin cells that combine with your body's natural sebum oil as it drains through the skin's surface become clogged in these blocked pores. This substance becomes somewhat sticky, further clogging the passageway.

Third, bacteria begins to grow around these clogged areas. As a normal reaction your, your body's white blood cells attack the bacteria, fighting it and pushing it out of the body.

And forth, the resulting growths during this 14-day to 21-day battle are called microcomedones. Microcomedones turn into comedones, commonly referred to as blemishes, pimples or acne.

The four types of acne

Whiteheads, blackheads, pimples and nodules.

Whiteheads are when the sebum (oil) and resulting bacteria are trapped below the skin's surface and you can actually see a white head appear above (or near popping out of) the skin.

Blackheads are when the sebum and resulting bacteria are only partially trapped, slowly draining out the surface and turning black because of your skin's melanin or pigmentation.

In the absence of either white or blackhead are generally (but not always) smaller pimples.

And the often deeper, boil-like lesions are referred to as nodules.

All forms of acne can be mild, moderate or severe.

Typically, mild acne is visible in the form of whiteheads and blackheads, sometimes pimples.

With moderate acne, more pimples and pustules are present on the face, some may appear on the back or chest.

And with severe acne, many nodules develop, often large and sore, over parts of the face, back, chest and other body areas.

This type of acne can lead to scarring.

Actually, lesser cases of acne have been followed by scarring.

So for those with possible nodular acne, seeking advice from a healthcare provider as soon as possible is recommended.

A gender issue to note is that males more often have the severe form of acne rather than females, due to their hormones.

And the areas where they tend to break out most frequently are unfortunately more difficult to treat, the chest and back.

Discover more resources and answers to your questions at Acne-Care-and-Skin-Treatments.com

In The News:


Students study robots, smoking and acne for top science projects
Gary Post Tribune, IN - 17 hours ago
Munster High School's Niyati Shah completed a project studying the scourge of many teens, and a challenge for some adults: acne. Her work, "The effect of ...

Best Syndication

Acne - 9 Common Misconceptions About Acne
Best Syndication, CA - Jul 3, 2008
The effect of acne to individuals is alarming. However, there are certain truths that should be made clear so as to avoid wrong treatments and worse skin ...

Best Syndication

Adult Acne’s Physiological and Mental Impacts
Best Syndication, CA - Jul 3, 2008
Despite the association of acne to puberty, it is a fact that adults too experience breakouts. In fact, acne can occur at any age. ...

Acne Treatment
WebWire (press release), GA - Jul 3, 2008
Acne Free in 3 Days is the current best selling natural acne treatment program available online that will show you how to permanently eliminate your acne ...

New Manuka Honey Products - Coming Soon
PR-Inside.com (Pressemitteilung), Austria - 10 hours ago
The cause of acne infection is a bacteria called Propionibacterium acnes. The pores or follicles in the skin become blocked, preventing the sebum from ...

VAVELTA(R): Phase II data presented at FACE and commercial sales ...
FOXBusiness - Jul 3, 2008
To date, over 30 patients have been treated for a variety of different skin imperfections including acne scarring and wrinkle reduction. ...
Evotec's EVT 101 Well Tolerated in Four Week Higher Repeat Dose ... FOXBusiness
all 18 news articles

Paris cuts its cloth
Financial Times, UK - 2 hours ago
Every night of couture week saw yet another mega-fête, from the Crillon hoo-ha to celebrate the Lanvin/Acne jeans mini-capsule collaboration (complete with ...

Acne Do's & Don'ts this Summer
Jamaica Observer, Jamaica - Jun 30, 2008
1 Using gentle soaps, or a non-drying acne wash, such as Benzoyl Peroxide five per cent bar and Neutrogena to cleanse your face twice daily is a major start ...

Ozone steps into anti-acne segment with Zap n Clear
Indiantelevision.com, India - Jul 2, 2008
NEW DELHI: Delhi-based Ozone Ayurvedic has stepped into the anti-acne skincare segment with the launch of Zap n Clear, the nomarks anti-acne range. ...

“Acne cream harmful during pregnancy”
Hindu, India - Jun 29, 2008
New Delhi: Women careful of their looks should learn to live with acne, at least during pregnancy, as experts say the use of anti-acne creams can lead to ...
Acne cream harmful during pregnancy! Press Trust of India
all 4 news articles
acne - Google News

How a 25 Year Old Asian Man Stumbled Upon a Sweet and Delicious Cure for Acne Permanently!

When dealing with acne, we somehow have the gut feeling... Read More

Slash Your Acne Supplement Expenses with Food

Twenty-one year old Lydia Garcia faces an imminent dilemma- poverty... Read More

The Many Benefits of Microdermabrasion

There are numerous microdermabrasion benefits. One of the most noteworthy... Read More

Acne and Skin Problem Myths Debunked

Isn't skin a wonderful thing to have?An obvious benefit of... Read More

A Bumpy Ride Towards Aging

Picture this; the snow-white clear skin that you have been... Read More

Keep Your Skin Clean and Acne Free by Brushing

The skin is the largest of the elimination channels. Through... Read More

Makeup for Acne Scars ? Hiding as You Heal

Acne is a pernicious and upsetting condition, and most sufferers... Read More

Performing Microdermabrasion at Home

Microdermabrasion kits have been designed for medical professionals, estheticians, and,... Read More

Popping Pimples ? Is it worth it?

Everyone, it seems, has a different opinion on popping pimples,... Read More

Acne Scars ? Cause, Prevention and Treatment

Acne affects as much as 80% of teenagers and others... Read More

Water and Sunlight Helps to Clear Acne

Drink More WaterThe skin stores around 12% water. It is... Read More

Using Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5) as an Acne Treatment

How Pantothenic Acid Works Many people have commented before that... Read More

Home Remedies for Acne

Acne is a disorder of the skin. This disorder causes... Read More

Acne Home Remedy

Acne or pimples are caused by hormonal changes, wrong food... Read More

Microdermabrasion Acne Treatments ? Harsh or Helpful?

Many people think of microdermabrasion acne treatments as those supplied... Read More

Acne ? A Clean Face ? First Step In A 12 Step Program

For those that need more than a special cream like... Read More

Acne Program ? Step 8 Vegetables to Eat and Drink

Eating and drinking vegetables is necessary for good health and... Read More

Back Acne Havoc

If you are between 10 to 40 you have great... Read More

Colon Cleaning May Help Acne Sufferers

Many doctors and alternative medicine practitioners believe that one essential... Read More

Are You Sure Your Diet Doesnt Affect Your Acne?

For those of you who have met me, you know... Read More

The Wonders of Green Tea- It can Help With Acne Care

Green tea is the most consumed beverage in the world,... Read More

How to Brush Your Skin to Relieve Acne

Brushing your skin with a brush or cloth is an... Read More

What is Acne?

What is acne? Acne is a term attributed to plugged... Read More

Acne Scars ? Getting Rid of Bad Memories!

Acne scars can often be the final reminder of a... Read More

Cover Up Skin Problems With Ease

There are many acne treatment coverup products on the market... Read More