Do You Have Acne?

Acne is quite common in our society. Most commonly affected age group is between the ages 12 to 25. Approximately 85% of Americans in this age group suffer from acne. The next common age group to get affected is between the ages 25 to 44, and they constitute around 10% of the total Americans within this age group.

Acne should not be taken lightly as they can lead to formation of pus due to infection, can create scars that can become permanent in the form of pockmarks.

Acne is a disease and not a normal process. It involves the sebaceous glands found in our skin that usually secrete sebum, an oily material that if accumulated in excess, can lead to formation of pimples. Acne is also known by the names like seborrhea or seborrheic dermatitis. Sebaceous glands openings (pores) contain dirt, toxic materials, excessive sebum, dead skin cells, and acidic waste. Under normal conditions, these glands pour these secretions on the skin surface that is cleaned when we ash our face. However, in persons with acne, these are produced in excess, which lead to clogging of the pores and accumulation of all these products in the openings itself.

If these pores burst due to excessive accumulation, bacteria that are normally present in our skin can infect it. At the same time, the immune cells of our body present under the skin fight with these bacteria. All this results in the formation of pus and can later on lead to scar formation if left untreated.

Therefore, to avoid having scars, it is essential to clear those clogged pores. The easiest method is to take a regular care of your skin with daily wash of your face with some anti-acne cleanser. Next, you should apply anti-acne creams before going to bed. If your acne is persisting, you should immediately contact your dermatologist to seek medical help.