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Acne
is a common skin condition which most often appears during
the teenage years. Commonly known as pimples, acne usually
appears on the face but can also happen on other parts of
the body such as the back, the shoulders, neck and chest.
Even though most teenagers experience acne at some point, it
is a condition which can also affect adults. Acne is
universal -- it affects males and females almost equally and
occurs in every race.
The proper name for acne is Acne Vulgaris. It is
characterized by lesions which break out on the skin. The
lesions can be whiteheads, blackheads, or cysts which form
because of clogged pores. It is most commonly seen during
puberty because it is at this time that the body produces an
abundant supply of an oily substance called sebum. Sebum is
needed to keep the hair and a skin soft and lubricated, but
during puberty, the body produces more sebum than is needed.
The excess can clog pores and leave the skin feeling oily.
Another change that occurs during puberty is the excess
production of follicle cells. The dying cells can quickly
build up and combine together with sebum to form whiteheads.
This mixture of oil and dead cells creates a breeding ground
for bacteria which results in redness and swelling in the
afflicted area that are known as pimples.
Acne is an extremely common condition which affects about
85% of people between the ages of 12 and 24. One quarter of
these people have acne on other parts of the body besides
the face; most commonly the back and
neck areas. 40% of acne sufferers seek medical attention
because of the severity of their breakouts.
The most common area for pimples to appear is the so-called
'T zone' of the face. This includes the forehead, the nose,
and the chin, although acne may also appear on the cheeks
and other parts of the face. The second most common area for
acne is the back, followed by the neck, the chest, and the
shoulders.
Continue reading What is Acne
on the next page
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Acne Skin Care Explained:
>Acne
Skin Care
>What is Acne
>Causes of Acne
>Acne Myths
>Types of Acne
>Acne Scars
Acne Skin Care Treatments:
>Topical Medications
>Prescription Medications
>Physical Treatments
>Seeing a Dermatologist
Addition Acne Skin Care Resources:
>Parents
section
>Acne
related
Links
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