In a nutshell, 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.
There are basically four types of acne; whiteheads, blackheads,
pimples and nodules. Whiteheads are when the sebum (oil) and
resulting bacteria are trapped below the skinŐs 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 skinŐs 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.
About the author:
Kirsten Hawkins is a freelance writer specializing in skin
conditions such as acne and rosacea. Visit
http://www.acnesolution411.com/ for more information on acne and
acne treatments.
