What is Acne?

What is Acne and why cause scars?

Acne is a disorder in the sebaceous apparatus.
Remember: untreated or improperly treated acne is likely to cause the worst scarring.

Sebum is produced by sebaceous glands that are largest and most numerous on the skin of the forehead, around the nose and mouth, and over the cheekbones. When sebum gets blocked in the glands, you get acne. Hormones, bacteria, medications and heredity can often increase the sebum production.

Read here about Causes of acne.

Remember: severe acne can lead to permanent scarring.
If you have acne you can see a variety of lesions.
The simplest acne lesion, called the comedo is an enlarged and plugged hair follicle. When a comedo reaches the surface of the skin is called an open comedo or blackhead because it looks black on the skin's surface.

Read here about Herbs for Acne.

Other acne lesions can be:

Papules (small inflamed lesions);

Pustules or Pimples (white or yellow lesions with pus);

Nodules (solid and painful lesions);

Cysts (deep and painful lesions causing ugly scars)

Severe forms of acne are generally disfiguring and are usually accompanied by psychological effects.

There are also some rare formes of acne:

Acne conglobata

: is a rare, aggressive forms of acne vulgaris. The severe systemic inflammation is caused by sensitivity to Propionibacterium acnesis. Large painful indurated nodules develop and form cystic lesions with severe inflammation and severe scarring. Multiple, solitary, grouped, open comedones and inflamed follicular papules found in an area comprised primarily of depressed scars with cystic bases and fistula.It often appears on the face, chest, back, thighs, upper arms and buttocks and affects people between the ages of 18 and 30.

Acne fulminans:

is a sudden onset of highly destructive inflammation and more usually develop in men. Symptoms of severe nodulocystic, often ulcerating acne, aching joints and fever are apparent. The face, chest, and upper back are the most common sites. It may result from unsuccessful treatment of acne conglobata. It does not respond well to antibiotics, so accutane and oral steroids are normally prescribed. Corticosteroids or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications may be given to reduce inflammation.

Remember: cure your acne to prevent acne scar!
If you really know what is acne, you have made the first step to prevent ugly scar on your face.

Related Articles:

Acne medication review



Return from "What is Acne" to "Acne Solutions"

Return from "What is Acne" to "Acne Scar Removal"