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Acne

 

What is acne?

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Your skin has tiny holes called pores that can become blocked by oil, bacteria, dead skin cells, and dirt. When this occurs, you may develop a pimple, sometimes also called a zit or blemish. 

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If you get spots often, especially several at once repeatedly, you may have acne.

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While acne doesn’t pose a serious risk to your overall health, it can still be painful, particularly if you have severe acne. Over time, acne might also cause scarring that can contribute to emotional distress. Acne and acne scars on your face and other visible body locations can affect self-esteem and self-confidence, and they can even cause anxiety or depression.

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Acne is  a common condition and is very treatable. A number of effective treatments exist, so you have options for reducing the number of spots you get and minimising your chances of scarring.

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Acne types;

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Whiteheads and blackheads, both also referred to as comedones, are the most common acne lesions. 

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• Blackheads, or open comedones, open at the surface of your skin. Oxygen in the air (not dirt) gives the top of these spots their darker appearance.

• Whiteheads, or closed comedones, form as raised bumps under the surface of your skin. They remain flesh-colored.

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Inflammatory lesions, which are more likely to cause scarring of your skin, include:

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• Papules. These small, red, raised bumps are caused by inflamed or infected hair follicles.

• Pustules. These small red pimples have pus at their tips.

• Nodules. These solid, often painful lumps develop beneath the surface of your skin.

• Cysts. These large lumps beneath your skin contain pus and are usually painful

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What are the symptoms of acne?

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Acne can be found almost anywhere on your body, but you’ll most commonly notice breakouts on your: 

 

• face and neck

• back

• shoulders

• chest

• spots can give your skin a rough, uneven texture. 

• With acne, you might also experience: 

• skin discoloration, including dark patches or spots (hyperpigmentation) and redness

• swelling and inflammation

• pain and tenderness when touched or not

• Acne breakouts can also cause scarring or discoloration on your skin. 

• Popping pimples can raise your chances of scarring, so avoid squeezing — no matter how tempting it feels to get rid of the pimple immediately — and try these tips. 

• Once a spot develops, it can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks to completely clear up. An acne breakout can take a lot longer to heal and clear, especially without treatment.

   

  What causes acne?

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• Acne occurs when the pores of your skin become blocked with oil, dead skin, or bacteria.

• Each pore of your skin opens to a follicle. The follicle is made up of a hair and a sebaceous (oil) gland. 

• The oil gland releases sebum (oil), which travels up the hair, out of the pore, and onto your skin. Sebum helps keeps your skin lubricated and soft.

• One or more mishaps in this lubrication process can contribute to acne. 

• your follicles produce too much oil

• dead skin cells accumulate in your pores

• bacteria build up in your pores

• Any of these concerns can lead to pimples, which develop when bacteria grow in a clogged pore and the oil can’t escape.