To understand the cause of Acne you need to know a little about the skin and how it functions.

Acne is a disease that affects the skins oil glands. The small holes in your skin (pores) connect the oil glands under the skin. These glands make an oily substance called sebum. The pores connect by a canal called a follicle. Inside the follicles, oil carries dead cells to the surface of the skin. A thin hair also grows through the follicle out to the skin. When the follicle of a skin gland clogs up, a pimple grows.

Most pimples are found on the face, neck, back and shoulders. Acne is not a serious health threat but, it can cause scars.

How Acne Develops
Sometimes, the hair, sebum, and skin cells clump together into a plug. The bacteria in the plug causes swelling. Then when the plug starts to break down, a pimple grows.

There are a number of types of pimples. The most common ones are:

  • Whiteheads. These are pimples that stay under the surface of the skin.
  • Blackheads. These pimples rise to the skin’s surface and look black. The black color is not from dirt.
    Papules. These are small pink bumps that can be tender.
  • Pustules. These pimples are red at the bottom and have pus on the top.
  • Nodules. These are large, painful, solid pimples that are deep in the skin.
  • Cysts. these deep, painful, pus filled pimples that can cause scars.

Who gets Acne
Acne is the most common skin disease. Nearly 17 million people in the United States have it. People of all races and ages get acne. It is most common in teenagers and young adults. Nearly 85% of people between the ages of 12 and 24 get acne. For most people, acne goes away by the age of 30. But some people in their forties and fifties till get acne.

What Causes Acne
The cause of acne is unknown. doctors think certain factors might cause it:

  • The hormone increase in teenage years (this might cause the oil glands to plug up more often)
  • Hormone changes during pregnancy
  • Starting or stopping birth control pills
  • Heredity (if you parents had Acne, you might get it too)
  • Some types of medicine
  • Greasy makeup

How Is Acne Treated
Acne is treated by doctors who work with skin problems (dermatologists). Treatment tries to:

  • Heal pimples
  • Stop new pimples from forming
  • Prevent Scarring
  • Help reduce the embarrassment of having acne.

Early treatment is the best way to prevent scars. Your doctor may suggest over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription drugs. Some acne medicines are put right on the skin. Other medicines are pills that you swallow. The doctor may tell you to use more than one medicine.

How Should People With Acne Care For Their Skin
Here are some ways to care for your skin if you have acne:

  • Clean skin gently. Use a mild cleanser in the morning, evening, and after heavy workouts. Scrubbing the skin does not stop acne. It can even make the problem worse.
  • Try not to touch your skin. People who squeeze, pinch, or prick their pimples can get scars or dark spots on their skin.
  • Shave carefully. If you shave, you can try both electric and safety razors to see which works best. With safety razors, use a sharp blade. Also it helps to soften your beard with soap and water before putting on shaving cream. Shave lightly and only when you have to.
  • Stay out of the sun. Many acne medicines can make people more likely to sunburn. Being in the sun a lot can also make the skin wrinkle and raise the risk of skin cancer.
  • Choose makeup carefully. All makeup should be oil free. Look for the word “noncomedogenic” on the label. this means that makeup will not clog your pores. Note that some people still get acne even if they use these products.

What Can Make Acne Worse
Some things can make acne worse:

  • Changing hormone levels in teenage girls and adult women 2 to 7 days before their period starts.
  • Pressure from bike helmets, backpacks, or tight collars.
  • Pollution and high humidity
  • Squeezing or picking pimples
  • Hard scrubbing of the skin


What Are Some Myths About The Causes Of Acne
There are many myths about what causes acne. Dirty skin and stress do not cause acne. Also chocolate and greasy foods do not cause acne in most people.

What Research Is Being Done On Acne
Scientists are looking at new ways to treat acne. they are:

  • Working on new drugs to treat acne
  • Looking at ways to prevent plugs
  • Looking at ways to stop hormone testosterone from causing acne.

Reprinted from the bulletin “What is Acne” from the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)

See Also Acnefreein3days.com The top selling Acne Book Package