Acne Advice at Its Best

Dealing With Acne Q & A

Acne is a common skin problem for most adolescents and also afflicts some adults. People of all ages and backgrounds have had to deal with acne at some point. Hence, there has long been a desire to prevent it or cure it.

We will look at some of the causes of acne as well as some of the ways in which people treated. Our hope is that you will gain a better understanding of why people get acne and what they can do for treatment and prevention.

 

What is acne?

For thousands of years, people have struggled with acne. Known in some cultures as a curse from the gods for immoral behavior, acne has largely been misunderstood. Only within the past century or so has the medical field been able to identify the true causes of acne. As one might expect, this has allowed those who suffer the blemishes to gain a certain sense of relief.

Is this an inflammatory disease of the skin?

An inflammatory disease of the skin, acne is the result of severe changes in the skin's structure. Acne is thought to be the body's unusual response to a relatively normal production of testosterone, a male hormone. Rather than a sign that one's skin is not clean, acne is more closely associated with the hormonal and bacterial activity beneath the skin, which eventually leads to the irritation of the skin. The result is the red swelling we know as acne.

What is the most common type of acne?

One might think that all is acne is the same, but it is not. As with all skin irritations, there are several forms. Some are considered more serious and more difficult to eliminate than others. The most common type is acne vulgaris, which simply means "common acne," usually indicated by a red swelling of the skin. Soon, the white or yellow pus that people associate with acne becomes apparent.

Tis is the type of acne that most teenagers get, caused when extraordinary amounts of oil from the sebaceous gland combine with dead skin cells to help clog the skin's pores. Because the skin's pores are blocked, oil continues to build up, thus allowing bacteria and yeast to spread. This excess of bacteria and yeast is what eventually does tons of damage to one's skin.

What are the mental effects of acne?

Acne may show a body's failure to properly deal with hormonal changes. Acne can indicate that a person is not dealing with stress effectively. It may be evidence of a potentially serious allergic reaction to a medication or other element. It is not these effects of acne that tend to do the most damage, though.

More than a health issue

More than a health issue, acne is known causing people (mainly teens) a sense of shame and embarrassment. Acne is falsely associated with being unclean. Clear, healthy skin is associated with cleanliness, while severe forms of acne are often believed to be the result of sanitary neglect.

Not only that, acne can be ugly and turn people away. Most people who experience severe acne are emotionally scarred by the social rejection, leading to adolescent emotional insecurity and a sense of self-doubt. Because of this, acne should be treated as quickly and as thoroughly as possible.