What is Acne? 

Acne is the medical word used to describe anything from the occasional blemish through the entire spectrum of pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, nodules and large cysts.

Acne is a skin condition that occurs when excess oil (sebum) production combined with dead skin cells clog your pores. Then, bacteria forms in the clogged pores resulting in red inflamed pimples, pus filled whiteheads, or blackheads. 

Acne is extremely common. So common that it's considered a normal part of growing up. If you're a teenager or a young adult, then chances are that you had or have some form of acne.

Over 17 million Americans suffer from acne and the vast majority of them are between 12 and 24 years old. A human body contains many sebaceous glands underneath the skin. These glands secrete and oil type of substance and sometimes this oil thickens and clogs your pores. These plugs cause your pores to get plugged and inflamed. This inflammation leads to infection from bacteria. If these pores get too infectious it can lead to serious scarring. There are different kinds of acne infections. The comedo is a lesion that forms on the skin due to infection. If it is a closed comedo it will be considered a whitehead if it is a closed comedo it will be a blackhead. Papules are a different kind of comedo, they do not get red or swollen, instead they give the skin the appearance of being rough, like sandpaper. And last but not least a pustule is a lesion that is filled with pus. These often lead to cysts or nodules and these leave the most significant scars.


Facial acne is not the only acne that people can be prone to. Other parts of the body such as the neck, chest and back can have severe outbreaks as well. Areas such as the back and chest can be extremely hard to treat. The skin on the back is nothing at all like that of the face. It is thick and much more oily. This can make treating your back acne very hard to treat. There are many different ways to treat acne of all types. Topical treatments are generally the first line of defense. Keeping 
your skin cleansed is imperative to keeping your acne at bay. It is not dirt or sanitation that causes acne but keeping the oil levels of your skin down is what will keep your skin clear. Many people's skin is simply prone to acne. This means that it will keep coming back a soon as topical treatments stop!

If you suffer from acne, it does not matter where, you should never pick at the pimples. Picking at them will only increase the chances of serious scarring. These lesions are already infected and human hands are filthy things. If you pick at the lesions you will only add to the bacteria. Acne is a terrible disorder to have to deal with and unfortunately this does not keep it at bay. For most people treatment of some sort is 
necessary. The level of the treatment is wholly dependant on your acne and your skin. What works on some people does not work on everyone. It may take some time to find the treatment that is just right for your skin type. As long as you try to deal with it you will find a way to treat your acne skin disorder. 

Editors Note: Did You Know! Research has shown that eating chocolate or greasy food does not cause acne, nor does dirty skin.