ACNE & SKIN CONDITION

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
• cysts ( deep pimples )

If the inflammation is right near the surface, you get apustule; 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."

Acne happens when oil ( sebaceous ) glands come to life around puberty stimulated by male hormones from the adrenal glands of both boys and girls. Oilis a natural substance which lubricates and protects the skin, and undercertain circumstances, cells that are close to the surface block the openings of sebaceous glands and cause a build up 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.

Other skin conditions :

Rosacea

This condition is characterized by pimples in the middle third of the face,along with redness, flushing, and superficial blood vessels. It generally affects people in their 30's and 40's and older. There is sometimes no"line" separating acne from rosacea, however, there are no blackheadsor whiteheads in rosacea.

Pseudofolliculitis

This is sometimes called "razor bumps" or "razor rash." When cut close to the skin, curly neck hairs bend under the skin and produce pimples. This is a mechanical problem, not a bacterial one, and treatmentinvolves shaving less ( growing a beard, laser hair removal ). Pseudofolliculitis can, of course, occur in patients who have acne too.

Posted in: acne,health