ACNE Programs

What is acne?

Acne is a common skin condition that causes spots.

Some people have mild acne, with only occasional spots or outbreaks. Others have more severe acne, with large areas of the face and body affected.

Acne is more severe in males, but more likely to continue in females. Acne most commonly affects people aged between 16 and 18 years. Acne also affects people whose skin is naturally oilier.

Acne can affect how you feel about your appearance and cause poor self-esteem.

Acne can be mild, moderate, or severe. Severe acne can cause scarring.

There are different types of acne:

• acne vulgaris

• adult acne

Acne vulgaris

Acne vulgaris generally affects teenagers and lasts for 3 to 5 years. Sometimes it can carry on for longer.

Adult acne

Adult acne is also called hormonal acne. This acne continues past the age of around 18 to 20 years. It can also start when you are in adulthood.

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What are the different types of acne?

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If you have acne, you might notice a mix of pimple types.

White and blackheads, also called comedones, are the most common acne lesions.

• Blackheads, or open comedones, open at the surface of your skin. Oxygen in the air (not dirt) gives the top of these pimples their darker appearance.

• Whiteheads, or closed comedones, form as raised bumps under the surface of your skin. They remain flesh-colored.

Inflammatory lesions, which are more likely to cause scarring of your skin, include:

• Papules. Inflamed or infected hair follicles cause these small, red, raised bumps.

• Pustules. These small red pimples have pus at their tips.

• Nodules. These solid, often painful lumps develop beneath the surface of your skin.

• Cysts. These large lumps beneath your skin contain pus and are usually painful.

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What are the symptoms of acne?

Acne can be found almost anywhere on your body, but you’ll most commonly notice breakouts on your:

• face and neck

• back

• shoulders

• chest

Pimples can give your skin a rough, uneven texture.

With acne, you might also experience:

• skin discoloration, including dark patches or spots (hyperpigmentation) and redness

• swelling and inflammation

• pain and tenderness when touched or not

Acne breakouts can also cause scarring or discoloration on your skin.

Popping pimples can raise your chances of scarring, so avoid squeezing — no matter how tempting it feels to get rid of the pimple immediately — and try these tips.

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What causes acne?

Different factors can cause acne.

Acne is caused by a build-up of dead skin cells and oil. This then forms a pimple or nodule in the skin. Bacteria can then grow in blocked pores, causing inflammation and redness.

Androgen hormones may also make your skin produce more oil. But, hormones only cause acne in a tiny minority of people, such as people with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Hormone levels also increase during puberty in teenagers and young adults.

Other things can trigger acne, such as:

• stress

• family history

• diet

• some medicines

• being overweight