Acne can be defined as a skin condition that affects the oil glands that are located on the skin. Your skin has a number of pores that are intricately connected to the oil glands under your skin. Under normal circumstances these glands produce an oily substance known as sebum which usually carries dead skin cells to the skin’s surface. The skin pores are connected to the glands through a canal called a follicle. Out of this follicle there is a thin hair that grows and it is when there is a clogging of those skin glands that there is an outgrowth that is normally referred to as a pimple. Generally, most of these pimples appear around the neck, face, chest, back, or the shoulders. Even though acne is not a very serious condition it can cause long term acne scars.

Acne at other times happens when the sebum, hair and the dead skin cells clump up together. This plug is likely to develop some bacteria which are what causes the type of swelling associated with acne. It is when the plug is breaking down that brings up the breakdown of the skin as the pimples grow. Pimples can be classified into many different types but there are those that are more common than others:

Blackheads are pimples that get to erupt and rise above the surface of the skin and their outlook is usually black which can easily be confused with dirt, which is nit really the case.

Whiteheads: These are pimples that remain under the surface of the skin.
Pustules: These ones appear red at the bottom with pus on their tops
Papules: These pimples appear in small pink lumps that feel very tender to touch.
Cysts: These are the common deep, painful pimples that are usually filled with pus and when they heal they leave scars on the skin’s surface.
Nodules: nodules are large painful pimples with solid masses that are embedded deep in the skin.

Apparently almost anyone can get pimples irrespective of race and age even though they are mainly concentrated around the teen age. Most persons between the ages of 11 and 30 will report at least one attack of acne during their lifetime. It is in very rare cases that people older than the age of 30 report getting acne attacks. What brings about acne attacks cannot exactly be pinpointed although doctors believe there may be a connection with the increase of bodily hormones during puberty. The same may apply with the use of birth control pills, pregnancy, heredity, makeup, as well as some medication.

Acne attacks are treated by dermatologists who are experts in the treatment of skin conditions. In order to prevent the scars associated with acne it is always best to try and seek treatment as early as possible. The dermatologist will decide on how to treat every different case with some getting treatment on the skin whereas other cases are treated using oral medication. People who develop acne need to take great care of their skin in order to remove all the predisposing factors as well as prevent recurrence.