The definition of acne is: a chronic disorder of the hair follicles and sebaceous glands. Acne is characterized by black heads, pimple outbreaks, cysts, infected abscesses, and (sometimes) scarring.

So what’s the real truth about what causes acne ? For reasons no one completely understands, follicles, often called pores, sometimes get blocked. Sebum (oil) which normally drains to the surface gets blocked and bacteria begins to grow. Both whiteheads and blackheads start out as a “microcomedone”. Microcomedones become skin blemishes called comedones, either a whitehead or a blackhead.

Microcomedone
When the trapped sebum and bacteria stay below the skin surface, a whitehead is formed. A blackhead oc curs when the trapped sebum and bacteria partially open to the surface and turn black due to melanin, the skin’s pigment. Blackheads can last for a long time because the contents very slowly drain to the surface. Either way, blackheads and whiteheads are filled with trapped sebum and bacteria. The acne treatment in both cases is the same. Other causes of both adult acne and teehage acne include hormone inbalance, incorrect diet, vitamine deficiency and stress.

Once you suffer from an acne breakout it can get worse due to poor hygiene. This is however, not an acne cause and can be remedied by improving personal hygiene.

Many people, myself included, choose to ponder over the effects of the acne in the comfort of their homes before they do the obvious thing. They go down to the nearest pharmacy to purchase one of the several acne treatment products available. To be honest, the shelves are full of them! American and global pharmaceutical companies are well aware of the desire of all acne sufferers to get rig of their acne. They have left no stone unturned to provide us with as many acne remedies and acne treatments as possible. But turning to these products without determining the acne causes could result in more harm than good. After all, what is the benefit in spending a lot of money on acne treatments if you don’t know what causes acne in the first place. As discussed, the acne causes are many. They are different from one individual to another. So what works for a friend or an acquaintance might not necessarily work for you. Unless you are able to consult a dermatologist to ascertain the acne causes, there is no sure way of finding the solution. And the best thing is that when the dermatologist is able to identify what the acne causes are, he can prescribe the best acne treatment that will cure you of all acne just like that. So consulting a dermatologist to determine what causes acne in your case and the best acne treatment is the sensible step to take. Not sure where to find a dermatologist, consult your doctor.

But acne strikes adults too, and acne care can actually become more difficult in adulthood. Acne is caused by clogged pores, which are often the result of oily skin. Adults are more likely to have combination skin types ranging from dry or normal to oily, and this can make acne care a challenge.

Acne can also be caused by irritation to the skin from confining clothing, chafing or even shaving. Hormones are also a contributing factor, which is one of the reasons why acne is so prevalent in adolescence and why pregnant women can find themselves dealing with outbreaks and requiring some sort of care.

While there are many causes of this relatively harmless but nonetheless frustrating and often painful skin condition, the guidelines for care are pretty much the same across the board.

Cleaning the affected area with a mild soap or cleanser is an important part of acne care routine. When suffering from acne, there is often a temptation to use astringent cleansers. Such products are generally not recommended for irritated skin.

An important component of acne care is to avoid irritation to the skin which might cause new outbreaks. Oily hair should be washed regularly and be kept pulled away from the face and forehead areas when dealing with facial acne. Careful shaving is also an important part of your acne care routine. Women who are dealing with acne outbreaks are often tempted to hide them with makeup. This can make the situation worse and counteract the positive effects of an acne control routine, particularly if an oil-based makeup is used. While concealing acne with makeup can temporarily help deal with embarrassment or self-consciousness, it can hinder the healing process, so avoiding putting foundations or other makeup on the irritated area is the best bet.

Be Acne Free In 3 Days

People who are dealing with acne are often tempted to pick at or “pop” pimples, zits or blackheads, call them what you will. Either because they have a misconception that this is part of effective acne care or out of a simple desire to get rid of blemishes. This temptation should be avoided at all costs, since doing so only aggravates the situation and can also lead to scarring.

Even when these general guidelines are followed, even mild cases of acne can sometimes require a visit to your doctor or the dermatologist. Professional acne care can include a variety of treatments including topical medications or pills. Acne can take several weeks to heal and ongoing acne care routine and habits are encouraged to minimize future outbreaks.

See also this article on acne skin care.