Acne an introduction

What is acne ?

Acne is a skin condition in which spots, especially on the face, shoulders, and upper back. It is a skin condition that shows up as different types of bumps. Acne is not just a problem for teenagers, it can affect people from ages 10 through 40. It is not unusual for women, in particular, to develop acne in their mid-to-late 20's, even if they have not had breakouts in years (or ever). Acne can appear as any of the following; congested pores, whiteheads, blackheads, pimples, pustules, or cysts (deep pimples).They include whiteheads, blackheads, red bumps (pimples), and bumps that are filled with pus (cysts). These blemishes occur wherever there are many oil (sebaceous) glands, mainly on the face, chest, and back.Acne tends to begin at puberty, and although most sufferers are over it within a few years, it may carry on for life.Generally many young women and men will have at least a few pimples over the course of their lives. Young men are more likely to have a more serious form of acne. Acne is easily recognised by the appearance of the spots, and by their distribution on the body. Acne is caused due to sebaceous glands which come to life around puberty stimulated by male hormones from the adrenal glands of both boys and girls. Acne is caused by the overactivity of the sebaceous glands that secrete oily substances onto the skin. Acne affects the skin of the face, back, neck, chest and arms and the severity of the condition can vary. The processes that cause acne are exactly the same in people with black or brown skin but the impact is altered by the skin pigmentation. But acne seems to affect men and women in different ways.