6 Things You Need To Know About Acne

Acne is one of the most common skin diseases in the United States. In fact, nearly 17 million people in the United States suffer from acne. Acne is most typically found in teenagers and young adults, and people from all races are a target. Nearly 85 percent of people between the ages of 12 and 24 get acne at one time or another. For some, acne is not just a 'every now and then' problem; it is an on-going problem that can cause scarring and emotional damage. By the time we reach the age of 30, acne usually goes away; however, some people in their forties.. and even fifties... still get acne.

The process by which a pimple develops is highly intricate. The exact cause of pimple formation is unknown; however, we do know that a pore collapses on itself and blocks sebum (oil) from escaping. Scientists are working on figuring out why this process takes place in one sebaceous gland and not in others.

While we don't understand exactly what causes acne, we do know that hormones, diet, vitamin deficiency, stress, evolutionary biology (just to name a few) play a role in the formation of acne. Most pimples are found on the face, neck, back, chest and shoulders. While acne is not a serious health threat, it can cause physical and emotional scars.

Pimples grow when body hair, sebum (oil), and skin cells clump together into a plug. Bacteria in the plug cause swelling. When the plug starts to break down, a pimple appears.

Since we do not know exactly what causes pimples, our time is better spent finding and testing an effective treatment.

There are many types of pimples. The most common types are:

1. Whiteheads. These are pimples that stay under the surface of the skin.

2. Blackheads. These pimples rise to the skin's surface and look black. The black color is not from dirt.

3. Papules. Small pink bumps on the surface of the skin that can be tender.

4. Pustules. These pimples are red at the bottom and have pus on top.

5. Nodules. Painful, large, solid pimples that go deep into the skin.

6. Cysts. These deep, painful, pus-filled pimples can cause scars.