Acne Phases

To date the exact cause of acne is unknown. However, it is known that acne is the visible end result of some type of hormonal imbalance resulting from the overproduction of oils by the sebaceous gland, followed by bacterial infection and inflammatory disturbance. Though it is typically known to affect the face region, body acne is not uncommon.

There is no real acne cure, what exist are acne treatments in the form of acne creams, prescribed antibiotics, and super vitamins such as the controversial accutane, and herbal remedies.

Once the process starts it general continues and advances. As greater amounts of oil are produced its composition may change as it builds up to a more sticky substance causing it to block the pore rather than drain out. This shows up as white heads and blackheads (comedones).

As the process continues the acne bacteria grows and multiply in the retained oil. Ironically the sebum produced by the body is nutrition for the bacteria. The bacteria when feeding on the sebum releases chemicals within the pore. This results in the white blood cells responding and attacking, the area becomes inflamed due to the reaction between the white blood cells and the bacteria; the end result is a zit.

Acne development takes place over a 2-3 week period before it appears on the skin’s surface. During this time, in normal skin dead cells that are shed gradually keep pace with the formation of new cells. This shedding of skin cells is different in different people. In some people, the skin sheds dead cells evenly. In other cases the shedding of the skin becomes uneven and the dead cells accumulate in the follicles, thus effectively plugging the pore with sebum and bacteria.

The result of this process can be non-inflammatory or inflammatory. Non-inflammatory acne is the common form of acne called comedo.

If the comedo’s pore is closed and the plug remains inside the skin, it is called a whitehead. When the pore is open and the plug pushes through the skin on the outer surface, it is called a blackhead. The opening of this blackhead appears dark in color.

Although these forms of acne are non-inflammatory, if these are not controlled, they may turn into inflammatory acne lesions, which are red, swollen, and take time to heal. These are papules, pustules, nodules, cysts, maculae and scars.

Papules are red pimples or lesion. A papule is a small, solid and usually conical elevation of the skin. Papules do not contain pus, which distinguishes them from pustule.

Pustules are just like papules but its center is filled with pus. Nodules are deep-seated acne, which may take up to 8 weeks to heal. Cysts are not a common type of acne but this is the most serious example of acne, which can reach up to several centimeters of diameter. Cystic acne is considered to be a severe form and needs immediate medical attention.

Infants to people in their 40s can suffer from acne, as it is largely linked with the hormonal imbalance. Infant acne develops because of the hormonal changes occurring in mother, which pass through the placenta and affect the infant. This acne can appear before birth or between 3 to 6 months. Baby boys are more likely to develop this acne than baby girls. Usually the infantile acne does not leave scars and gets healed naturally, but it also may develop in that person’s teen years as acne vulgaris.

Acne though a problem that has plagued many has many solutions, which upon the advise of a doctor could result in you being acne free. Many acne products exist on the market today, however their effectiveness is dependent on the condition of the patient and the key ingredients within the product.

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