Acne Information

What Causes Acne, Acne Treatments and Remedies

Acne is perhaps one of the most common afflictions that affects mostly teenagers. But acne can also be found in some adults. It's a relatively harmless disease, although if left untreated it can cause some permanent acne scarring.

There are many causes of acne and acne myths - we discuss some of them on the ensuing pages. Likewise, there are many ways to prevent and treat acne, including laser treatment and topical products. We will also cover the subjects of acne cures and acne solutions on these pages.

Acne and pimples

What is acne? Certainly, most of us know what it is, simply because we have had to experience acne at one time or another in our lives, in particular in our younger, teenage days. But, in case a definition is needed, here is a short one. Acne is a dermatological term that includes clogged pores, pimples and lumps or cysts that occur on the face, neck, chest, back, shoulders, and upper arms.

Acne and pimples occur most commonly in teenagers, but are not limited to any age group, afflicting even adults in their forties, who often can find it hard to cope with it. This disease has many varieties, and although none are life threatening, the more severe cases of acne can be disfiguring, leaving permanent scars on effected areas. Treating acne is important to avoid potential long-term unsightly scars.

Five types of acne

Acne cause physical changes in body tissue, or lesions, known as:

1. Comedos  
2. Papule  
3. Pustule  
4. Nodule  
5. Cyst  

These terms are also used to describe the severity of acne, with comedo being the mildest form (also known as blackheads and whiteheads), while nodules and cyst being the most severe form of acne. Acne treatment can deal with all these types of acne and pimples.

Acne is most common amongst teenagers between the ages of 12 and 17. Mild cases of acne or pimples are usually cleared with over-the-counter treatments and the acne tends to completely disappear by the early twenties. Both girls and boys get affected by the acne in equal proportions. But young men are more likely to have severe, long-term acne, while young women can have recurring acne well into adulthood, due to hormonal changes.