What is Acne?

What, exactly, is acne?

You would be surprised if you knew how common this question is, even among acne sufferers. Acne is a chronic skin disorder that is said to result from the action of hormones on the sebaceous or oil-producing glands in the skin, leading to plugged pores as well as outbreaks of lesions commonly known as pimples or zits. These acne lesions are most common on the face, neck, chest and back although they appear on other parts of the body as well.

Acne is known as the most common skin disease in the world today, even surpassing malignant melanoma - and in order to answer the question, it is necessary to understand how the problem arises. The condition has been described as a disorder of the pilosebaceous units (PSUs). PSUs are found over most of the body and composed of a sebaceous gland attached to a canal, known as follicle, that contains a fine hair.

Acne develops as the sebaceous glands make an oily substance, sebum, that usually empties onto the skin surface through the follicle openings, commonly known as pores. In the follicle lie cells called keratinocytes.

The hair, sebum and keratinocytes that fill the follicle are claimed to be the biggest reasons a plug appears, commonly seen as the early sign of acne. It is mainly this plug that prevents sebum from reaching the skin surface through the pores. The blending of oil and cells then helps the bacteria P. acnes, which normally thrive on the skin, reach growth in the plugged follicles. These are the bacteria that emit chemicals and enzymes that encourage white blood cells to cooperate, causing an inflammation. When the wall of the plugged follicle breaks down, it spills everything into the nearby skin, which lead to the formation of lesions or pimples.

Acne appears in many different forms. It can surface in the form of whiteheads, blackheads, pimples, papules, nodules, and cysts. Acne scarring is basically caused by the cystic acne, as it is deep, pus-filled and very painful.

I hope this short description helps you to answer the question and gives you a greater understanding in how the problem arises.

3 Comments so far

  1. navaneethakrishnan on April 6th, 2008

    i was affected by acne…….,

  2. honest_truth on May 13th, 2008

    I had really bad acne for years. In high school one of my classmates wanted to go to school to research microbiology and so did a study on acne. She hoped to find the best cure for acne. She may not have found the best cure, but she research aryavedic medicine and found that your own urine contains a powerful enzyme that helps remove acne.

    Here is how:

    Acne is caused by bacteria defecating and dying in your skin. It’s also caused by the natural excretion of your skin as it breaths and releases waste and oils. Your skin can normally release these things, but if the wholes become clogged then a painful abscess is created called a pimple.

    The enzymes in urine eats the fat and oils, and the waste products that your skin is trying to release. The moisture will hydrate your skin so the pores are softer and can open more. It works! It’s not the best on the market, but it’s free.

    Here is how to:

    It’s pretty simple. Most people don’t drink their urine so their urine is dark and full of waste. To make it something more palatable you can drink a lot of fluids until your urine is cleaner looking. Then drink your urine every time you have to urinate. By the end of the day you should see pimples letting go, and by the next morning you should see an improvement.

    Like I said. Drinking your urine is not the best way to remove acne, but it will reduce the worst acne to minor acne. Also, it’s free!

  3. john byerley on May 23rd, 2008

    av got acne but it wont go away helppppp!

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