What Is Acne - How Does Acne Occur?

by Shontelle Yew

Many people try to get rid of acne without understanding how it forms, and what are the main causes. Although the causes of acne can be very different from one person to another, pimples do form in the same way on our skin. So what is acne? Acne is basically an inflammation of the follicles that are found under the skin. The follicle connects the sebaceous glands to the skin pores. The sebaceous glands are meant to produce skin oil which moisturises and pushes out the toxins and other residue from our body. If the follicle gets inflamed it cannot perform its function properly. Thus, what you will get are pimples, white heads, cysts, or black heads.

Acne can be classified into the following categories:

1. Black heads occur when sebum reaches the skin surfaces but remains trapped inside the pore. This causes oxidation and the sebum becomes black. Commonly, people think that a black head is a dirty skin pore so they try to scrub and clean the area. This usually won't work, and might cause inflammation and pimples.

2. White heads happen when the sebum remains under the skin. People are usually tempted to squeeze the white heads, but this is a mistake. Squeezing them is only going to push some of the bacteria deep inside the skin. It is better to let the white heads dry on their own. This also prevents any scars and further inflammation.

3. Nodules and cysts usually present themselves as red bumps on the surface of the skin. The cysts are much bigger and harder. This is triggered by a severe inflammation of the oil glands, and a high number of bacteria is also present. Cysts and nodules usually produce scarring due to their ability to destroy the healthy skin cells.

Acne can become worse during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, or very stressful periods. Research has also shown that an acne condition can be hereditary, especially for male subjects.

All forms of acne are a pretty common condition. Over 70% of the population between puberty and 35 years old develop some form of acne. Determining the exact cause of acne for each individual can be quite challenging even for a dermatologist. If you want to get rid of acne, you must know that an acne condition needs to be attacked from as many angles of possible.

The Don'ts of treating acne 1. Don't be harsh on your skin in order to get rid of acne faster. People with acne sometimes assume that they need to use many aggressive treatments on their skin. This can actually cause acne to become more severe. Since the skin is already inflamed, it is a mistake to use lots of acne cosmetics and creams on your face. Use one product at a time and see how it goes.

2.Don't over wash your face. Even though over-washing can seem like a good idea because it dries your face, it can actually irritate the skin more. Use a special acne soap from the pharmacy and only wash your face 2 times a day. You can also use clay as a mask. It removes the impurities without stripping your skin of all its protective oils.

3. Don't pop any type of pimples or black heads. This is the biggest don't for acne sufferers. Popping pimples is only going to cause more acne in that same area, and extend it to other areas too. Refrain from popping any pimples. Just apply acne remedies, and wait for the pimples to heal on their own.

4. Don't touch your face during the day. This is a very important rule because acne sufferers tend to pick at their face. Pimples can hurt or itch, but you must leave them alone. Your hands have more bacteria than any other part of the body. By touching your face you are just infecting the pimples, which can become bigger and they will heal much slower.

Those that are predisposed to acne need to watch their diet, practice regular exercise, and reduce stress. Make a journal of your skin condition during a month's time, and see which foods and products make your acne worse. If you are taking supplements for your skin, make sure to try only one at a time. Getting rid of acne can be easier if you follow these simple guidelines. Also, there are natural remedies that can heal your skin and help you get rid of acne.

About the Author

To treat acne, you should first understand what acne is, and what the causes of acne are and the various classifications of acne - black and white heads, nodules and cysts, etc. Visit http://www.acnepimplehelp.com for more acne help. Don't forget to collect your FREE guide to making your very own cleanser, toner and moisturizer for acne-prone skin!

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