Acne, Defined

What it looks like: Acne is a skin condition that occurs when pores become clogged with oil and
dead skin cells – leading to what are called comeodomes – whiteheads and blackheads. Overactive oil glands produce excess oil which builds up behind these clogged pores. Bacterial overload and inflammation cause pimples and cysts –and can lead to scarring if not treated early and aggressively. Acne is most common among teenagers – affecting up to 85% of teens – though it affects people of all ages.

Who gets acne: People of all races and ages get acne. Nine out of ten people suffer from acne at some point in
time. It is most common in adolescents and young adults. For most people, acne tends to go away by the time they reach their thirties, however, some people continue to break out in their forties and fifties. Many women first experience acne in adulthood, while men usually develop acne as teenagers.

Why It Happens

Acne happens when pores become clogged -whiteheads and blackheads which are medically called closed and open comeodomes. Bacteria can build up behind a clogged pore and inflammation ensues creating pustules or pimples and cysts.

Long-term Effects

Some people dismiss acne as a skin condition that you’ll eventually outgrow, but acne can have a profound and
lasting effect on someone’s life. Many people develop one or more of the following after getting acne.

Acne Scars

Even when an acne breakout clears, it can leave a permanent skin changes. Skin scars from acne can be depressions, color changes – redness, darkness, and white areas or hypopigmentation, ice-pick like holes, loss of skin volume and even raised, thick scars. Early treatment and aggressive and appropriate treatment helps prevent scarring.

Dark Spots On The Skin

As an acne breakout clears, some people see a spot where the acne once was. Dark spots are more common in darker skin types.

Lower Self-Esteem

Research shows that acne can deflate one’s self-esteem. Lower self-esteem during the teen and early adulthood years can negatively affect one’s life.

Depression

Higher rates of depression are documented in individuals with acne.

PIMPLESSEVERITY

This is the next step after whitehead and blackhead – these are clogged pores that are now raised, red, swollen and may be pus filled. Bacteria, which are found normally on our skin, have grown in excess numbers behind these clogged pores creating this redness, inflammation, and pus.

WHITEHEADSSEVERITY

Whiteheads or closed comeodome:
A clogged pore with no obvious skin opening and appears raised and white or flesh colored.

BLACKHEADSSEVERITY

Blackheads or open comeodome:
A clogged pore with a skin opening that appears black and can enlarge the pore.

CYSTSSEVERITY

These are deeper inflammatory lesions that are often painful and can be quite large. Cyst can readily and quickly lead to scarring.

BOILSSEVERITY

A painful, pus-filled bump that forms under your skin when bacteria infect and inflame one or more of your hair follicles.

ACNE SCARSSEVERITY

Where the scars appear on your body. If you have taken isotretinoin to treat acne, be sure to tell your dermatologist before treatment for acne scars begins.