Symptoms, remedies, treatments and care for Acne

Acne

Acne, a.k.a. common acne or acne vulgaris is a skin condition that occurs when hair follicles become plugged with oil and dead skin cells. It starts when greasy secretions from the skin's sebaceous glands (oil glands) plug the tiny openings for hair follicles (plugged pores). If the openings are large, the clogs take the form of blackheads: small, flat spots with dark centers. If the openings stay small, the clogs take the form of whiteheads: small, flesh-colored bumps. Both types of plugged pores can develop into swollen, tender inflammations or pimples or deeper lumps or nodules. Nodules associated with severe cases of acne (cystic acne) are firm swellings below the skin's surface that become inflamed, tender, and sometimes infected.

Ace usually appears on your face, but they can also occur on the neck, chest, back, shoulders, and upper arms. Acne is most common among teenagers, with a reported prevalence of 70 to 87 percent. It usually starts during puberty, when the sebaceous glands activate. The glands produce oil and are stimulated by male hormones produced by the adrenal glands in both males and females. A range of factors triggers acne, but the main cause is thought to be a rise in androgen levels. Androgen is a type of hormone, the levels of which rise when adolescence begins. Rising androgen levels cause the oil glands under the skin to grow. The enlarged gland produces more sebum, which can break down cellular walls in the pores, causing bacteria to grow.

Acne is not dangerous, but it can cause emotional distress and may leave scar on the skin. The earlier you start treatment, the lower your risk of lasting physical and emotional damage.
60 million people in the U.S. have acne. This number includes all grades of acne, from the mild, occasional breakout to more severe conditions such as cysts, but of those 60 million, 20% have some form of acne bad enough that it results in scarring on the skin. According to research conducted in 2016, 85% of people surveyed have experienced acne at some form or another at some point in their lives, which makes for an overwhelming majority. Women made up for 80% of adult acne cases studied.
99% of people get breakouts on the face. 60% see spots on other parts of the body (most usually the back and butt), and 15% have clogged complexions on their chests.