What is acne?
Acne is a skin condition that occurs when your hair follicles become clogged with dead skin cells, oil, or other debris. Acne may appear as whiteheads, blackheads, or pimples, and can appear anywhere on your body, though most often it occurs on the forehead, cheeks, upper back, and shoulders. Teenagers and adolescents are most likely to develop acne, but it can happen to anyone at any age.
Acne can be quite persistent, with new pimples or bumps appearing just as old ones heal, but there are effective treatments. Depending on the type of acne you have, it can sometimes cause lasting scars, and its appearance can often cause emotional stress. The earlier you begin treatment, the better your chances are of avoiding scarring and the complications caused by severe acne.
What causes acne?
There are a lot of myths and misconceptions about what causes acne. The four main causes are:
- Excess oil production
- Hair follicles clogged by dead skin or other debris
- Bacteria
- Excess activity of a type of hormone (androgens)
The reason acne is most often found on the face, forehead, back, and shoulders is because these areas have a high number of sebaceous glands, oil glands connected to your hair follicles. If these pores become clogged, they can cause a whitehead, or the pore may remain open but fill with bacteria and oil, causing a blackhead. A pimple occurs under the skin, when a hair follicle becomes inflamed or infected, while a cyst may form after an infection develops deep within a hair follicle.
How do you treat acne?
There are a number of over-the-counter cleansers and acne medications, but many people find these frustratingly ineffective. In those cases, direct intervention may be necessary. Topical and oral medications are available to combat the spread of acne and to help heal acne that’s already present. Therapies like dermatological extraction or a chemical peel can also be helpful in some cases. Talk to Dr. Sargeant about your history with acne and your goals to find out more about the best treatment option for you.
If you’re suffering from recurring or severe acne, call the office today, or make an appointment online.
