I am sure that every one of you is somehow familiar with acne. Sometimes it seems as though everyone got that skin disorder, right? Acne is usually defined as an inflammatory skin disease that generally affects the tiny pores that cover the face, arms, back and chest, even the oil glands attached to them. Its technical name is acne vulgaris and is the skin disease caused by the interplay of follicular hyperkeratinization, the presence of Propionibacterium acnes bacteria in the follicular canal and sebum production.

Acne, according to certain studies, can vary from quite mild to tremendously severe. It typically forms when the lining of the skin duct as well as the sebaceous glands start to work
overtime. Acne starts when the lining of the duct sheds cells which are then transported to the the skin by the sebum. A plug known by many as the comedo is formed when the sebum and cells begin to amass, blocking the duct.

As more studies have been done it has been found that once the plug stays below the plane of the skin, whiteheads or “closed comedo” occurs. If the plug pops out of the skin duct and the top is dark, it is called a blackhead or “open comedo”. As was explained earlier, this is not just dirt, thus it will not wash away.
It is actually melanin, the dark tint in our skin, that causes the discoloration.

Acne occurs among many people, in about 80 percent of all teenagers, according to certain studies. The onset of acne is most common among people aged 25 to 30, mostly for women. The true cause of acne and what makes it develop is not totally understood
in the teen years. However, several factors are deemed contributors for the acne’s formation. It involves heredity, which is deemed as the most important factor that plays a role in
the acnes development. As is believed by many, if a member of your family, either your parents or your grandparents, had acne there is a greater possibility that you too will have acne.

Today, acne has many different treatments available. So, acne doesn’t need to control your life. For those suffering with it, there are some prescription drugs available you can use to treat such a disease. As always, consult your physician before starting any acne treatment.