WHAT EXACTLY IS ACNE?

Acne according to dermatologists ‘is a disorder resulting from the action of hormones and other substances on the skin's oil glands (sebaceous glands) and hair follicles'. These factors lead to plugged pores and outbreaks of lesions commonly called pimples or zits. Acne lesions usually occur on the face, neck, back, chest, and shoulders.

Well, to me ‘acne is a very annoying, irritating, obvious (because It appears at the most glaring place of my body….my beautiful face) thing'. Acne on my face usually comes up at the most inappropriate times of my life like when I am supposed to go for a dinner function/date or have an important interview or there is a big party about to happen with lots of important people present.

According to the dermatologists ‘acne is not a serious threat'. According to me however, it is a serious social life status dropper and an embarrassment.

While researching the term ‘acne' I found out that acne was a disease of the pilosebaceous units. Found over most of the body, these units consist of a sebaceous gland connected to a canal, called a follicle that contains a fine hair. These units are most numerous on the face, upper back, and chest (which explains the acne I saw on my chest last month). The sebaceous glands make an oily substance called sebum that normally empties onto the skin surface through the opening of the follicle, commonly called a pore.

According to my research, I found out that there are different types of acne. I would try to explain it without being too technical. They include Comedo (which includes blackheads that are usually tiny and have a blackish appearance and whiteheads with skin colored appearance). Quickly check the mirror to see if you have any one. I see some blackheads on my face, DRAT!

Others are Papule (usually small and may be almost invisible but have a "sandpaper" feel to the touch), Pustule (a dome-shaped, fragile lesion containing pus), Macule (a temporary red spot left by a healed acne lesion), Cyst (larger than a pustule, may be severely inflamed and may be very painful. It can result in scarring), Nodule (it may be painful, characterized by inflammation and may cause tissue destruction that results in scarring).

Hope you identified which one you have because I have discovered that an effective acne treatment usually depends on the type of acne you have.

Till I get the chance to tell you more about acne, try to keep your body acne free as best as you can.

For more on my struggle with keeping my face and chest acne free, check out my blogs http://beautyandhealthshop.blogspot.com , http://Acnespotfree.blogspot.com or http://beautyandhealth1.wordpress.com . I hope you would enjoy all my postings.