Acne explained
Acne is the most common skin disorder in the world. Blemishes, bumps, papules, pustules, spots, whiteheads, zits, goobers, the plague, or whatever you call it, almost everyone is liable to get it.
In the United States and Canada, acne affects 45 to 55 million individuals at some point in their lives, the vast majority of whom are teenagers. In fact, nearly 80 percent of all young people will face at least an occasional breakout of acne. Acne imposes itself on young men and young women about equally, but young men are likelier to have more severe forms of acne.
The events that take place in the sebaceous glands and hair follicles
trigger acne. The exact cause is unknown; however, regardless of a person's age, acne is a condition of clogged hair follicles and the reaction of sebaceous glands, glands that are attached to hair follicles and produce an oily substance called sebum.
Mix in some dead skin cells that become sticky and block the pores, add a bit of bacteria, and you have the makings of a breakout.
Doctors believe that these events, and acne itself, result from several related factors, including your hormones (which are responsible for increasing oil production) and heredity (the tendency to develop acne is often inherited from parents and other relatives).
Less commonly, acne can occur as a reaction to certain drugs and chemicals, and other physical factors may exacerbate the problem.
I'll put one myth to bed right now that will come as good news.
Pizza, French fries, and other greasy foods don't cause acne or make it worse. You're welcome. (I'm a doctor, so I'm compelled to remind you that though these foods won't affect your acne, they aren't the building blocks of a healthy diet.)
But before you snidely bring this mistaken notion to your mom's attention, another one of her common statements is right on the money: Quit playing with your face. Picking does make zits worse!
In most cases, acne starts between the ages of 10 and 13 and usually lasts for 5 to 10 years. The appearance of teenage acne (acne vulgaris is the technical term that I throw around here and there) is largely the result of your body's increased production of hormones. The good news is that those embarrassing blemishes usually go away and are often gone for good by the time you reach your early 20s.
However, the not-so-good news is that for some unlucky folks, acne vulgaris can persist into their late 20s or 30s or even beyond.
But back to the good news: There are many steps you can take to zap the zits and improve the appearance of your skin.
Although acne is typically thought of as a condition of youth, an ever-growing number of women (less often men) get acne for the first time as adults.
Acne is no longer just a teenage affliction. There's definitely been a rise in the number of adult women in their 20s and 30s with acne even those who never had a pimple before!
In the United States and Canada, acne affects 45 to 55 million individuals at some point in their lives, the vast majority of whom are teenagers. In fact, nearly 80 percent of all young people will face at least an occasional breakout of acne. Acne imposes itself on young men and young women about equally, but young men are likelier to have more severe forms of acne.
The events that take place in the sebaceous glands and hair follicles
trigger acne. The exact cause is unknown; however, regardless of a person's age, acne is a condition of clogged hair follicles and the reaction of sebaceous glands, glands that are attached to hair follicles and produce an oily substance called sebum.
Mix in some dead skin cells that become sticky and block the pores, add a bit of bacteria, and you have the makings of a breakout.
Doctors believe that these events, and acne itself, result from several related factors, including your hormones (which are responsible for increasing oil production) and heredity (the tendency to develop acne is often inherited from parents and other relatives).
Less commonly, acne can occur as a reaction to certain drugs and chemicals, and other physical factors may exacerbate the problem.
I'll put one myth to bed right now that will come as good news.
Pizza, French fries, and other greasy foods don't cause acne or make it worse. You're welcome. (I'm a doctor, so I'm compelled to remind you that though these foods won't affect your acne, they aren't the building blocks of a healthy diet.)
But before you snidely bring this mistaken notion to your mom's attention, another one of her common statements is right on the money: Quit playing with your face. Picking does make zits worse!
In most cases, acne starts between the ages of 10 and 13 and usually lasts for 5 to 10 years. The appearance of teenage acne (acne vulgaris is the technical term that I throw around here and there) is largely the result of your body's increased production of hormones. The good news is that those embarrassing blemishes usually go away and are often gone for good by the time you reach your early 20s.
However, the not-so-good news is that for some unlucky folks, acne vulgaris can persist into their late 20s or 30s or even beyond.
But back to the good news: There are many steps you can take to zap the zits and improve the appearance of your skin.
Although acne is typically thought of as a condition of youth, an ever-growing number of women (less often men) get acne for the first time as adults.
Acne is no longer just a teenage affliction. There's definitely been a rise in the number of adult women in their 20s and 30s with acne even those who never had a pimple before!
Source...