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Introduction
Acne is a skin disease that results in pores being blocked
which leads to the development of whiteheads, blackheads,
inflammatory lesions or cysts.
Acne is one of the most common skin problems affecting everyone
from babies to adults. Acne shows up as whiteheads, blackheads,
pimples, and, in some people, deep painful bumps that look
and feel like boils.
Acne is commonly found on the face but can also appear on
the neck, chest, back, shoulders and even the upper arms.
Acne is not a life threatening condition, but can be upsetting
and disfiguring to the individual who has it. Acne can cause
scarring depending on the severity of the condition and how
it is treated.
It is estimated that acne affects one in ten adults. It affects
25% of all adult men and 50% of adult women at some time in
their lives.
How Acne Begins
Acne begins in your pores. Pores are considered hair
follicles, even though not every pore grows a hair. Every
pore contains an oil secreting sac called a sebaceous
gland and is attached to the follicle. Sebum, the oil that
keeps your skin from drying out, is produced from the gland.
When dead skin gets stuck in a follicle it combines with the
sebum and creates a plug called a comedo.
The comedo is plugged with oil, dead skin cells and bacteria.
A whitehead is a closed Comedo since the plug lies beneath the
surface. A blackhead is an open Comedo, the follicle's dark
plug is visible.
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