What is Acne?

Acne is a condition that most of us remember as a unwelcome but fleeting affliction, confined to adolescence, but it’s actually a skin disorder that can flare up at any age and is a real frustration for chronic sufferers.

The disorder falls into two categories: non-inflammatory acne and inflammatory acne. Both types are caused when oily buildup (“sebum”) clogs up your skin’s pores, creating a perfect environment for nasty bacteria to grow.

Well-known examples of non-inflammatory acne are blackheads and whiteheads, which occur when the trapped sebum pushes its way up to the skin’s surface. In the case of whiteheads, the trapped sebum and bacteria are just below the skin. With blackheads, the pore has opened and the air has oxidized the sebum, making it turn black. They are usually relatively small skin blemishes, and can cause little or no bother. In fact, you may not even notice them at all for a long time.

Inflammatory acne is more noticeable. The first signs of this are “papules”, caused when the follicle under the skin breaks and white blood cells rush in, enlarging the area and making it look red. After a couple of days, these white blood cells move towards the surface of the skin, creating an unsightly white “pustule” or zit. At this stage it’s tempting to squeeze or “pop” the spot, but experts warn against this. Apart from the fact that you could risk scarring yourself, there’s also a chance you could push the bacteria further down into the pores, making the redness worse.

Occasionally, more severe types of inflammatory acne can occur. If one of these pustules suddenly collapses or ruptures, they create what are called “nodules” or “cysts”. These sore bumps or lesions can be very uncomfortable for the sufferer and trying to deal with them by squeezing them can very easily cause scarring.

Causes of Acne
Acne is entirely indiscriminate; whatever age or race you are, it is possible to develop acne. Among dermatologists one factor widely acknowledged to cause acne is the hormone androgen, which causes a swelling of the sebum glands. Indeed, any kind of hormonal fluctuation can irritate the oil balance under your skin, so women will often experience a spate of acne during menstruation, pregnancy or the menopause. Other possible causes range from oily cosmetics, chemicals found in medications, sun and stress. Acne is almost impossible to avoid, so you shouldn’t feel embarrassed if you get the occasional breakout.

Top Tips for Getting Rid of Acne
Anxiety can cause our oil glands to go into overdrive, so avoiding stress is one important way to avoid developing acne. Whether it’s going for a brisk walk or jog, joining a yoga class or simply running yourself a long, soothing bath, do something to de-stress today. Sweating is a great way to clean out the pores, but the salty residue left on your skin when sweat evaporates can actually block your pores if it’s not removed. I find that a moisturising body wash like Neutrogena Acne Stress Body Wash works really well. It doesn’t dry out the skin like some acne body washes tend to do, and creates a nice creamy lather when you apply it. It also smells like a normal body wash, rather than the chemical smell a lot of acne-specific products tend to have. Why not give it a go if acne is causing you problems, and see if it makes a difference for you too.
What is Acne?