Acne Explained - What It Is, Who Gets it And Why

Acne is a skin condition that is caused by bacteria forming inside of the skin's pores when they become blocked. This blockage forms the red bump commonly known as acne. These bumps can be painful as well as enflamed, and for most, they're embarrassing.

Sebum is an oil naturally produced by your skin. This oil helps to keep your skin supple and healthy. It's the combination of this oil and the bacteria that causes acne and pimples. The blockage is caused when your skin's pores close, and this traps the bacteria with the oil. The pain is caused by the pressure that builds up under the skin.

As well as acne you can suffer from small pimples commonly known as white heads or yellow heads. This coloring of the head of the spot or pimple is a collection of white blood cells that have formed as part of the healing process.

Acne is more common in boys and girls in their early teens. It's usually a result of hormonal changes that are present during puberty. Boys usually get more severe acne than girls because of the production of more androgen hormones.

For a small percent of people acne can continue into adulthood into their twenties and thirties. In worst cases acne can continue into the forties.

Usually acne in later life can be the effect of taking certain medications rather than anything to do with one's hormones. The only exception is a woman's menstrual cycle when her hormones are usually all over the place.

Spots and pimples also effect other parts of the body with the most common being the back. The neck can be effected as well.

A poor diet can contribute to acne although many researchers will say that diet plays no part in the condition of your skin. If however, you want to eat a diet that consists of a lot of greasy food this will have an effect on your whole body that will show itself in the condition of your skin.

The first thing you need to do to successfully cure your acne is discover the cause. You will cure your skin condition the quickest if you think yours is caused by a poor diet. Just changing your diet to one filled with nutritious foods will show an improvement in your skin within days.

If your acne is caused by hormonal changes then your doctor may be able to help, and the same applies to you if your poor skin is caused by any current medication.