What is an acne?

Acne is a skin condition of the face, neck, and back. The most common signs of this problem are blackheads and pimples, which are caused by clogged skin pores.

Acne begins on the oil glands of the skin. The growing-up process, usually in the teenage stage, can cause the glands to produce large amounts of oil. This oil will then be changed into weak acid by bacteria. The acid will form sticky substance when combined with old cell shed from the lining of the pore. This sticky substance can plug the skin pore. A pimple will be formed when the plugged skin pore swells. On the other hand, a blackhead will be formed when a dark-colored plug rises to the surface of the skin. The color actually comes from melanin, a skin pigment.

Many persons who have acne try to squeeze out the blackheads which will cause the acid to spread to other parts of the skin, and will eventually result to scar. Squeezing the pimple can also spread the infection, resulting to a serious condition called a cystic acne.

Washing the skin with an acne condition with warm water and a mildly disinfectant soap twice a day, can be a very good solution to acne problems. Some ointments, especially the oily ones, may actually make acne worse. The oil glands that have caused the problem will usually become normal as one grows alder; the acne will usually go away, leaving no lasting damage, when the skin is treated properly.

Serious acne, such as cystic acne, should be consulted to a dermatologist. Dermatologists usually prescribe antibiotics to kill the bacteria. A substance made from vitamin A, when rubbed on the skin, greatly reduces oil production in the glands.