Acne Help For You

Acne

Acne is a condition that has plagued human beings from the beginning of time. People want

to look as good as possible, regardless of their age, and experiencing an attack of giant zits

certainly is not in keeping with ones normal definition of beauty. If tiny acne pimples find their

way to a visually unappealing location it can be devastating. One of these locations might be

on the tip of the nose. These types of strategically located zits probably will not affect global

warming, but for those suffering from the dreaded end of the nose pimple it can be devastating;

possibly affecting who your future spouse might be or whether or not you go to that big job interview.

So what are these little, or sometimes not so little blemishes, how many people do they affect,

and what can be done about them?

Acne is a common inflammatory skin disorder thought that acne affects over 85 percent of the

population between the ages of 12 and 45, and is currently the most commonly treated skin

disorder by Dermatologists. While not life threatening, the emotional stress created by an acne

outbreak can be tremendous, not to mention the temporary damage to ones self esteem.

The potential for serious acne starts around the age of 12, or the onset of puberty. During puberty

the body goes into overdrive producing androgens (male sex hormones). Androgens in turn

stimulate the production of keratin (a type of protein) and sebum (skin lubricating oil). If sebum is

produced at a faster pace than it can pass through the pores or if a pore is blocked a sebum

buildup will occur, allowing bacteria to become trapped inside. Blackheads occur when skin

pigment blends with sebum to clog the pores. If scales below the surface of the skin become

filled with sebum you will have distinction of becoming a victim of the dreaded whitehead. In

serious acne outbreaks, a whitehead builds up, spread under the skin, and ruptures, leading

to inflammation. It is a common perception to associate acne with poor hygiene, but it is more

likely the product of overactive oil glands.

If you are a teenager reading this it probably comes as no surprise that around 25 million of your

closest friends suffer from this disorder; so don’t bother with the get well cards. As adults we tend

to correlate acne outbreaks as a teen occurrence, but the number of adults suffering from acne is

increasing at a staggering rate. While teenage acne is most common on the face and/or upper

body, adult acne is usually limited to the chin and jaw line, and involves fewer, but potentially

more painful blemishes.

In adult women premenstrual flare-ups are common and facilitated by the release of progesterone

after ovulation. Oral contraceptives contain progesterone and can trigger outbreaks as well. The

presence of candidiasis can also cause hormonal changes that encourage the liver to produce

the wrong substances for healthy sebum.

Wishing you the best for a blemish free complexion!

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Acne Help For You