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[Laurentine]

About 80 percent of teenagers are affected by acne between the ages of 13 and 17. However, about five percent of women and one percent of men aged 25 to 40 continue to get or develop acne. Acne is a skin condition that causes spots. Acne usually affects the skin of the face, back, neck, chest and arms and the severity of the condition can vary.

[M.Helen]

Acne is the most common skin problem which inevitably affects everyone's life at some moment. It can occur at any age, but teens are most affected by this problem because it can cause a state of uneasiness and anxiety. If you have serious problems, can reach up to depression and thus isolate the person.
Acne is a disease of the skin that result from a big secretion of the sebaceous glands and characterized by blackheads, whiteheads or pimples which appears to carry the skin. In some cases occur and deeper lesions known as cysts.

[M.Helen]

It can manifest itself in different ways:
Pimples are small prominences occurring in the skin, sometimes containing pus;
Blackheads formations are small, black, arising from the accumulation of a mixture of seborrhea and dead cells that block pores;
Points are small, white or flesh-colored factions, whether white, arising from the blocking of pores;
Cysts are formed either just under the skin, either more in depth and contains materials whose consistency is either liquid or semi-solid.
What are the areas prone to acne?
The most exposed areas of skin are those areas where there are most sebaceous glands: face, chest, shoulders and back. Acne can also be found on the arms or thighs, but cases are extremely rare.

[M.Helen]

Who is affected by acne?
Acne affects predominantly adolescents, due to the intense activity of specific hormonal puberty. Also, cases of acne are widespread in the case of individuals who show hypersecretion of sebaceous glands. So not only teenagers are facing this problem, but can affect children and elders as well.
An interesting problem is that acne seems to affect differently the opposite sex. Before puberty is more common among girls, during puberty, girls and boys are equally affected by acne, but more complicated cases are common in male individuals,

[M.Helen]

When appears the acne?

Usually, the acne begins to make its appearance at puberty. The most often persist for 5 years, but it is possible that some people to face this problem for 10-20 years. Approximately 25% of teenagers suffering from acne as a teenager, will not get rid of it even after 25 years. Cases are indiscernible, but are increasingly frequent instances of women who at 20, 30 or even 40 years are faces with acne for the first time. Sometimes it can meet even at the new born.

[M.Helen]

What factors are causing the acne?
Hyper secretion of sebaceous glands - sebaceous glands are located in the deep epidermis. Each of them is "connected" with a narrow channel, called follicle, where is located a hair. These glands produce an oily secretion known as sebum, which spreads to the skin surface through hair follicles, which lubricates them. Each follicle has an external opening (skin surface), which is called Por. Sebaceous gland size is variable, the biggest being associated with visible pores of the skin. Sebaceous glands are stimulated by hormones to secrete sebum - especially by male hormones are called androgens (which are found in a woman's body, but, naturally, in much smaller proportion than men). These hormones are produced by the ovaries, testes respectively. Also, both a woman's body, as well as men, the androgen hormones are produced by the adrenal glands. In periods marked by stress, these glands secrete an increased amount of androgens, causing the sebaceous glands and hypersecretion. Also, in puberty, sebaceous glands are overactive, as a result of hormonal changes of nature occurring in the body.

[M.Helen]

Pore blocking - due to hyper secretion of glands, skin gets a shiny appearance, the "oily" to the touch. Acne occurs when pores (through which the sebum flow - from the sebaceous glands to the skin surface) become blocked, and the secretion of sebum remains captive. Pores are blocked by an accumulation of dead cells and form seborrhea. The cause of this blockage is not known, but the consequences are not of a faulty hygiene. From blocked por, will develop a white or black point.

[M.Helen]

Bacterial infection - although acne is not caused by a bacterial infection, the bacteria can make the situation worse. The bacterium Propionibacterium acnes is found normally on the skin surface, serving as a protective barrier of skin against other harmful bacteria. When the secretion of sebum is captive in the follicles, the intake of bacteria Propionibacterium acnes increases at the level of the blocked pore. Harmful bacteria produce a number of chemical compounds that attack skin, causing inflammation and aggravating irritation.

[M.Helen]

Skin inflammation - is accompanied by symptoms such as skin redness, discomfort and warmth to the skin. Inflammation occurs as a result of the immune system attempt to reject a foreign substance - in this case either bacteria or irritating components of these products.

These four factors contribute to blocking the pores, which is manifested by
appearance of black spots, white, the blistering (known under the name of baskets) and cysts.

Blackheads are formed when pores are blocked, close to the skin. Usually are not inflamed, and their color is due to a black pigment - and not to the waste deposited in the pores.

[M.Helen]

Whiteheads develops as a result of a blockage occurred in the pore depth. In absence of drainage ways, the sebum accumulates in the skin, thus forming white or color points. Unlike blackheads, whiteheads presents a high probability of leading to the emergence of pimples.

Blistering (pimples) appear when the walls of blocked follicle breaks up. Sebum, dead cells and bacteria normally found in the skin surface and inside, irritated skin, forming small inflammation.

Cysts - are those bigger inflammation, red, located in the deep epidermis, indicating an infection located in a later stage.

[M.Helen]

Other factors contributing to worsening of acne:

Malnutrition - those who constantly eat chocolates, snacks, and generally, food fast food are more susceptible to the appearance of acne. On the other hand, after a research project undertaken by a team of nutritionists from abroad, concluded that people whose daily food consists mainly of fruits, vegetables, fish and lean meat do not show symptoms of acne. Nutrition specialists recommend a diet as low in fat, cereal, bread and sweets. Increasing the amount of sugar in the blood, which is due to high consumption of foods mentioned, has as a consequence of hormonal changes that are stimulating the "preview" of the acne;

[M.Helen]

An important role in the occurrence of acne is the hereditary factor;
Stress is "responsible" sometimes for the appearance of acne. Hormonal changes in order can occur as a result of stress, and hormones are those which stimulate the sebaceous gland activity. There is a risk that those person to choose an inappropriate treatment of acne, precisely because they have not detected the true cause, which may aggravate the situation;
Sweat is seems to worse acne condition in 15% of cases. Also, moisture, and tight clothes can aggravate the condition;
Cosmetic products can irritate the pores that swell and becomes blocked. Are recommended cosmetic products do not contain oils, but sometimes even they are harmful for sensitive skin.

[M.Helen]

How to prevent acne?

It is recommended to use antibacterial cleaning products, non-greasy like a clay mask containing echinacea. Zinc, vitamins A, B and E, echinacea and thyme have therapeutic effects on acne.
Beware of the face creams or other products containing these ingredients: socetyl stearate, Isopropyl isostearate, Isopropyl palmitate, Isopropyl Myristate and sodium chloride, because they cause acne;
Constipation is the main reason that cause acne;
Consume plenty of water to prevent most skin problems;
Avoid chocolate, fried foods and refined sugar;
Keep your skin always clean with mild soap and hot water;
Do not try to peel the pimples as it could to stay with signs on front;
Eat more fruits and vegetables;
Take supplements of vitamin B complex and zinc every day to strengthen the resistance of the skin;
Apply a paste of cucumber on face and remove it after 20-30 minutes with lukewarm water.

[Lorry]

I think its happening because of the dust that is everywhere in our houses, offices and different types of manufactures. Also because people use to touch the face frequently with dirty hands, from here appears bacterias on the face and it brings to an inflammatory process.

[Martin]

It is important to remember some rules in preventing the appearance of the acne.
First of all you should not wash your face more than twice a day. The second is to not touch the face especially to squeeze or pick. Squeezing or picking your blemishes — with fingernails, pins or anything else — can force bacteria deeper into the skin, causing greater inflammation and infection.