Acne Information

Different Ways of Dealing With Acne


Types of Acne

Acne is a general term used to describe the result of plugged pores on the face, back, or chest. Generally characterized by red bumps and whiteheads, acne also includes blackheads and lumps that form beneath the skin.

The following conditions are generally referred to as acne, but each condition has particular traits.

Comedo - The condition when a sebaceous follicle becomes clogged with a combination of sebum (released from the sebaceous gland under the skin), dead skin cells, tiny hairs, dirt, oil, and bacteria. When the comedo is open and exposed to oxygen from the air, it becomes dark in appearance, forming what is commonly known as a blackhead. A closed comedo forms a small bump beneath the skin, and takes on a skin tone or slightly white appearance, commonly known as a whitehead.

Papule - A small, solid bump that elevates slightly above the skin surface. Typically the coloring of a papule matches that of the skin. Several papules grouped together are rough to the tough, having an almost sandpaper type feel to them.

Pustule - A small, fluid filled bump that elevates above the skin surface and is topped by puss. This bump is filled with a mixture of white blood cells, bacteria, sebum, and dead skin cells.

Nodule - Similar to a papule, nodules are solid bumps that elevate slightly above the skin. The main difference is that a nodule also develops deep into skin layers and is one of the leading causes of scaring from acne. This type of acne can be very painful and is more difficult to treat than other forms.

Cyst - Similar to a pustule, a cyst is a fluid filled bump that elevates above the skin and is topped by puss. A cyst is also filled with a mixture of white blood cells, bacteria, sebum, and dead skin cells and becomes severely inflamed. A cyst will form deeper into the skin layers and can be quite painful and is the other leading cause of scaring from acne. Like nodule acne, a cyst can be difficult to treat.

Macule - The red or pinkish spot left after an acne lesion has healed. Depending on the severity of the initial lesion, the discoloration may last for a few days to a few weeks before subsiding.

The problem is, most people lump all these various types of acne into one group, and just call it acne. This wouldn't be an issue, except that they each react differently to various forms of treatment, and what works for one will not necessarily work for all.

This is further complicated because some people experience more than one form of acne at a time. It is very common to have both a pustule outbreak, and a cystic outbreak simultainously.

Because of these facts about acne, treatment is not always simple and straightforward. Benzoyl peroxide, or tea tree oil are usually a safe bet when first trying to treat acne. Some people will never need anything more than this. However, for those of you who have tried 1, several, or many treatments without success, it may be helpful to determine the types of acne you suffer from, and treat each type as suggested by a dermatologist.

Again, there is no 100% acne fix. However, knowing the type of acne you suffer from can help you find a treatment that will work best for you.

BIO:

Greg Podsakoff is a former acne sufferer, and currently provides information on treating acne, pimples, and zits, via an objective informational skincare website, http://www.acne-treatments-guide.com


MORE RESOURCES:

FDA OKs New Acne Gel Epiduo
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WKRG-TV

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Daily Mail

Bunged-up nose? Just take these acne pills
Daily Mail, UK - Jan 5, 2009
By Roger Dobson A drug used to treat acne and prostate disease may help sufferers of nasal polyps. This is one of several new non-invasive treatments for ...


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Meadow Free Press, ID - Jan 2, 2009
If you speak about acne, first you should know what causes it. A group of experts at the Aerican Academy of Dermatology affirm that the cause for acne is an ...
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Treating whiteheads: Pore better or for worse
Philippine Star, Philippines - 14 hours ago
Don’t scrub your face hard with a washcloth — acne and clogged pores can’t be scrubbed away, and scrubbing may actually make it worse by irritating the skin ...


Police seek armed robbery suspect
Today's News-Herald, AZ - 23 hours ago
He is 19 to 22 years of age with severe acne and acne scarring or pockmarks. He was last seen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and black jeans. ...


Home Remedies for Acne - Top 13 Users Recommended Home Remedies
PWO, France - Jan 4, 2009
Acne can grow for the first time in people in their late twenties or even the thirties. Acne can also be caused by taking extra hormones, in the form of ...


Resolve to use a retinoid regularly
MiamiHerald.com, FL - 22 hours ago
Acne, consider Ziana. While all retinoids fight acne (that's what they were first developed for), this prescription-strength retinoid also contains an ...

Acne - Google News

Supplementary Article

The Sad Tales of Adult Acne

01/07/09

by Charlene J. Nuble

The tales of adult acne has ever been a silent one, only told as whispers and an unfortunate few suffered from it, some may even refuse to show themselves to the world. The manifestation of adult acne has been recognized during the Eighties, when the yuppie generation has standardized of what is to become the hip urban lifestyle free of adult acne and any other lesions.

Though adult acne is one aesthetic issue that is quite prevalent in the real world, nearly 25 percent of men, and about 50 percent of women from their twenties and even in their fifties may still experience having adult acne. The face is usually the first place for adult acne to appear, and may also form in parts of the body only their significant other knows where.

So much like the majority of teenagers with their growing pains, what sort of twisted fate that could make adults tremble with fear due to adult acne? Have they suffered enough when they were younger and forced to douse themselves with every medicated formula there is to cure adult acne?

As much as today's medical breakthroughs can offer in the 21st century, adult acne, so much like teenage acne, still has no cure though doctors and dermatologists believe its roots may be traced to hormonal imbalance. Another addition to the cause of adult acne can be found on how we actually live, mostly on diet, stress, vitamin deficiency, and evolutionary biology. No, we are not turning into monsters. All they can prescribe is that products on acne marketed for teens may also be used by adults.

Social issues fall victim to adult acne, causing anxiety and depression among friends and family alike. Who could just walk into an after-hours club when his or her face is covered in adult acne? It may be a vanity thing for those who would want to stand out to be noticed, but adult acne is one type of concern that will definitely make you stand out like a weed. Skin clinics rejoice that they make thousands of (pesos) from people to help them get rid of their adult acne. Cosmetic products like foundations, blushes and such kept flying off the shelves as women find ways to hide the scars caused by adult acne. They would say that 'judge not a book by its cover', but it would only mean that only the fortunate ones have not suffered adult acne. As we live in a generation where superficiality can be just about anything, adult acne has become a hindrance of a majority of adults who wish to look presentable.

We have yet to find the ultimate cure for adult acne, and while the answer is yet to be found, only prevention is the best cure for adult acne.

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Note: This article may be freely reproduced as long as the AUTHOR'S resource box at the bottom of this article is included and and all links must be Active/Linkable with no syntax changes.
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About the Author

Charlene J. Nuble 2005. For up to date links and information about acne, please go to: http://acne.besthealthlink.net/ or for updated links and information on all health related topics, go to: http://www.besthealthlink.net/

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