Acne is one of the most common skin complaints, suffered by more than 80 per cent of people at some stage, but particularly during pubescent years. Up to 14 per cent of those people consult their GP and 0.3 per cent see a dermatologist. Acne is easily recognisable by red spots and/or blackheads or whiteheads, particularly on the face. The effects can range from mild to severe, with the worst cases causing serious long term-effects such as scarring and psychological problems, as well as possible suicidal tendencies.
Acne is caused by infected plugged hair follicles. Just under the skin sit tiny sebaceous glands attached to hair follicles.The glands produce sebum to lubricate the hair and the skin to stop them drying. However, in acne, they produce too much sebum. At the same time, the skin sheds dead skin cells, which mix with the excess sebum to form a plug in the follicle. These can then produce either a whitehead, if close to the skin surface, or a blackhead, if the follicle is open to the skin.
To read the full article by Catriona Williams, director at talkhealth click here
Although acne is traditionally thought of as a disorder of the teenage years, long after those years have passed and the acne condition has faded, many adults are left with facial scarring from acne they had years earlier. Thanks to modern medical advancements, there are very effective treatments available today to treat acne scarring.
on February 28, 2012 at 11:01 pm Angela HolyokeWhy not stop acne breakouts holistically, Choose cleansers wisely, such as soap made from Echinacea and other herbal ingredients. Tea tree oil has known antibiotic properties and serves as a mild anesthetic to soothe irritated skin.Some women get acne when they discontinue birth control pills that have been keeping acne at bay. Wouldn’t it be safer to stop acne breakouts holistically.
on March 6, 2012 at 9:31 pm Khadijah Belew