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What is Acne?
Acne is the term used to describe various types
of lesions and/or blemishes that occur on the
skin. Other names for this problem include
zits, pimples, blackheads and whiteheads.
Doctors describe acne as a disease of the
pilosebaceous units, or PSU’s. These units are
found all over the body but are most common on
the face, upper back and chest. A gland makes
an oily substance called sebum that under normal
circumstances empties onto the skin surface
through an opening in the skin. This opening is
called a follicle, or most often called a pore.
Under certain
circumstances, the pore becomes plugged which
prevents the sebum from reaching the surface of
the skin. This oil, and a mixture of other
cells underneath the skin allows bacteria that
normally lives on the skin to grow in the
plugged follicle. As the bacteria grows it
produces chemicals and enzymes that attract
while blood cells that cause the inflammation
which eventually may lead to a pimple.
Acne is mostly associated
with teenagers and affects most teenagers to
some extent. It is not uncommon though for some
folks to have acne problems into their 20’s and
even into their 40’s and beyond. Although acne
is not a life threatening disease, it can have a
severe emotional toll and can affect ones self
esteem. Severe cases can cause permanent
scarring, both physically and emotionally.
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