What is Acne?
Acne plagues almost everyone, but what is acne exactly?
A normal hair follicle is also called a pore. A pore has a sebaceous gland that secretes sebum, natural oil, used to moisturize your skin. When sebum is unable to drain to the surface of your skin from the follicle, it gets blocked and begins to grow bacteria.
The growth of bacteria within the follicle becomes the inflammation considered acne. Areas with the most sebaceous glands tend to have the most acne outbreaks. These areas include the face, chest, shoulders, and back.
There are numerous types of acne and categories of severity along with acne treatment to control the blemishes.
If sebum and the bacterial growth in the follicle remain below the skin, a whitehead surfaces on the skin. Releasing the pus, or popping the pimple, can help heal the blemish if done appropriately.
Blackheads happen to be pores that open to the surface and the sebum oxidizes, leaving a dark mark. Contrary to popular belief, blackheads are not dirt and are not easily washed away.
Papules and pustules are caused for different reasons under the skin. A papule is a break in the follicular wall that allows white blood cells to infiltrate the pore, causing an inflammation. A pustule is similar to a papule, however the white blood cells go to the surface. A pustule is the type of acne most people refer to as a zit.
Severe acne like a nodule or cyst, are reactions to the hair follicle collapsing. This type of acne tends to be sensitive to touch. Controlling severe acne is a patient and persistent hygienic process. Often, this type of acne can lead to permanent skin damage and scarring.