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

Eureka! Science News

Acne drug may help fight the progression of HIV Private MD An inexpensive antibiotic that has been used for years to treat acne may soon help improve current therapy options for people with HIV, ... Acne Drug Might Prevent Breakout Of HIVTopNews United States Acne drug may help prevent HIV breakoutTimes of India Acne Drug May Help in the Fight Against AIDSBusinessWeek Edmonton Journal -eMaxHealth all 48 news articles »

Some tips to combat acne ABS CBN News MANILA, Philippines - Around 90% of teenagers have occassional acne breakouts. But they are not the only ones complaining. People up to the age of 40 get ...

Daily Mail

Beauty Bible Beauty Clinic Daily Mail Q As Prescriptives is coming to an end (sad face) I am struggling to find a foundation that gives me coverage for my acne-prone skin and that matches my ...

BioCosmetic Center Cites Conclusions that Women Undergo Cosmetic Procedures ... PR Web (press release) The majority of patients are still female, but we are seeing more and more men interested in procedures such as liposuction, laser hair removal, acne scar ... and more »

Dermatologist to Donate 'The Pimple Clinic' Acne Products PR-CANADA.net (press release) The Pimple Clinic, a safe, effective non-prescription line of acne products developed by the dermatologist who founded Skinstore.com, is being provided to ...

New York Times

A Family Affair, From Acne to Arthritis New York Times ... is a gentler reworking of the farcical 1989 movie with the same title, and is mostly a coming-of-age drama for all ages, from acne to arthritis. ... and more »

Acne drug may help prevent HIV breakout Oneindia Washington, Mar 20 (ANI): A cheap acne drug that's been used for decades effectively targets infected immune cells in which HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, ...

Independent board to look into clinical trials TODAYonline SINGAPORE - Injecting stem cells under the skin to make a person look younger, or using platelet-rich plasma to treat acne scars - could such ... and more »

Premenstrual Acne: How to Treat it Naturally EmpowHer (blog) In the last blog I discussed acne that is a symptom associated with women's menstrual cycles. I talked about how women's hormonal imbalances cause symptoms ...

Sneak Peek! Acne, Spring '10 FabSugar.com (blog) Acne's first batch of Spring pieces are out and ready for consumption. Staying true to its cutting-edge flavor, the brand dreamt up a line of streamlined ...