Acne is a common skin
disease characterized
and recognized for plugged
pores such as whiteheads,
blackheads, pimples, and
deeper bumps like cysts and
nodules which appear on the
face, neck, chest,
shoulders, back, and the
upper arms. It happens when
the pores of the skin become
clogged with internally
occurring oil known as
Sebum, bacteria, and dead
skin cells.
Acne
Vulgaris--sometimes
identified as common
acne--is today the most
common skin disease. At
present, acne affects about
80 million people in both
the United States and
Canada.
Acne is
an "ordeal" for most
teenagers but is not
confined to any age group;
sometimes adults in their
20's or older--can
experience acne. Although
acne is not a dangerous
condition, it can become the
root cause of much emotional
distress when one's skin is
disfigured and unattractive.
When acne becomes severe, it
may lead to permanent
scarring; it is known that
even less harsh cases of
acne may lead to scarring.
Throughout time there has
been a number of effective
treatments developed for
addressing from mild to
severe cases of acne. There
are natural and very
effective treatments, as
well as prescription
medications for treating
very severe acne but with
side effects that can
continue to occur even after
one stops taking such
medications.
Who can get acne?
Almost 100% of young people
between the age range of
twelve and seventeen
have usually an occasional
blackhead, whitehead, or
pimple, despite race or
ethnicity. Most of these
young sufferers successfully
can manage their acne
problems by
using over-the-counter
treatments. For others, a
case of acne may be more
serious. In reality, by the
time they reach their
mid-teens, a greater number
of teens have a severe case
of acne that often requires
formal treatment by a doctor
or dermatologist.
Generally, most cases of
acne begin between the age
range of ten and thirteen,
and can usually persist for
five years or longer.
Acne normally disappears on
its own in one's early
twenties. Nonetheless, acne
can continue to surface into
the late twenties, thirties,
or beyond. There are people
as adults who experience
acne for the first time.
Acne can equally affect
both young men and women,
but there exists certain
differences. For whatever
the reason, young men more
often than young women are
prone to suffer more severe
and longer lasting types of
acne. Regardless of this
fact, young men are less
likely than young women
to see a dermatologist for
their acne. On the other
hand, young women have a
greater chance to experience
intermittent
acne because of hormonal
changes linked with their
menstrual cycle. Young women
can suffer from such acne
well into adulthood.
Acne lesions commonly
occur on the face, but
they may also show up on the
chest, back, neck,
shoulders, upper arms, legs,
and scalp.
