Acne affects young adults the most, but it can also be a problem for older people. It usually starts in puberty when skin glands produce excess grease. Dead skin cells and grease block pores on the face, upper arms, upper back and chest.
Women are generally affected at a younger age, the peak severity being between ages 17 and 18, while men peak between 19 and 20 years old. Acne appears most frequently on the face, but can also appear on the neck, behind the ears, on the chest and in the groin.
Most people experience acne. Usually it's a mild condition, but for 15 per cent of people it's severe. Acne affects both sexes equally, however it's often worse in males.
Acne tends to develop in stages
For many people, a major life event triggers acne. During adolescence this may be exams, a new boyfriend or girlfriend, or simply the bumpy ride through puberty. Big events happen throughout our lives, which explains why acne can appear for the first time in adults.
Normal skin has thousands of tiny hair follicles. Each has a sebaceous gland that produces an oily substance, sebum.
First, an unusual reaction of the sebaceous glands in the skin to the male hormone testosterone causes them to make more sebum. Acne tends to affect men more than women because they have more testosterone.
This overproduction of sebum - together with dead skin cells - blocks hair follicles. The characteristic "blackhead" appearance is caused by the presence of skin pigment, not dirt. Whiteheads are more common and are likely to become inflamed because the grease and bacteria that collects can't escape.
If the blocked hair follicle ruptures, more inflammation occurs. This can lead to nodules and cysts forming, which leave scars as they disappear.
How's acne treated
The goal with treatment is to prevent skin scarring, to prevent psychological distress and to shorten the time someone has to put up with acne. The treatments used depend on how severe the acne is.
Healthy skin needs a good intake of vitamins A, C and E, zinc and at least eight glasses of water a day. All of us should do this whether or not we have spots. |
